TFT Enchanted Wilds How to Play Blackthorn

Blackthorn is the Enchanted Wilds origin built around a single marked hex. Whoever stands on it becomes the sacrifice at stages 2 and 4 — and in patch 18.1 that occupant can actually survive and gain combat stats instead of dying. That survival twist changes the entire vertical, because a 3-star 1-cost that feeds repeatedly becomes a stat pile that most players never see coming.

Use this page with positioning for hex placement and the comp tier list for Azir and Kha’Zix boards. Numbers below are patch 18.1. Patch 18.2 is September 10 and not live yet.

Who is Blackthorn

Rek’Sai, Varus, Warwick, Veigar, Malphite, and Azir. That list is the whole origin. You do not need all six. You need one sacrifice unit that you can afford to mark, a way to make that marking worth the slot, and ideally Kha’Zix to evolve Ravager and Executioner from outside the origin.

Cost	Champion	Job
1	Rek’Sai	Brawler opener, tunnel for positioning
1	Varus	Inferno / Rapidfire opener
1	Warwick	Ravager opener
1	Veigar	Blackthorn / Sprykin core
3	Malphite	Blackthorn / Monolith tank
3	Azir	Executioner / Summoner reroll carry

Veigar and Malphite are the Blackthorn anchors. Azir is the carry. Kha’Zix is the secret sauce: he is not a Blackthorn unit, but he can evolve both Executioner and Ravager on himself, which makes him the ideal pairing for an Azir reroll line.

TFTAcademy Extra Credit: Set 18 Blackthorn and Ivern showcase

The sacrifice hex at stages 2 and 4

At 2 Blackthorn and again at 4 Blackthorn, the occupant of the marked hex becomes the sacrifice. In patch 18.1, that occupant can survive and gain combat stats instead of dying — this is the critical change from earlier previews. At 6 Blackthorn the occupant gains permanent maximum Health instead of dying outright. Confirm the live tooltip if a later patch moves these numbers.

The marked hex appears in the planning phase. Scout it before you lock your board: if an opponent’s sacrifice is a 3-star Warwick, their Blackthorn is real; if it is a leftover 1-star Rek’Sai, they are still setting up.

Do not park Ahri, Veigar, or any unit you need alive on the marked tile by habit. The positioning guide has the full scouting checklist.

Breakpoints that actually change the game

• 2 Blackthorn: the first sacrifice arrives. A 3-star 1-cost often feeds more than a naked 4-cost.
• 4 Blackthorn: the second sacrifice. By this point the surviving sacrifice unit has stacked meaningful combat stats.
• 6 Blackthorn: the occupant no longer dies — they gain permanent maximum Health instead. This is where the vertical becomes a real engine.
• 8+: additional survivable sacrifices, then stat overflow. Prismatic territory.

Stop at 6 unless emblems or uncontested copies make 8 cheaper than adding a legendary. A 6 Blackthorn board with 3-star Azir and a stacked sacrifice beats an 8-piece forest with naked 1-stars.

Azir Kha’Zix reroll

The strongest Blackthorn line in patch 18.1 is not a pure Blackthorn vertical. It is Azir as the carry, Kha’Zix as the evolution engine, and the sacrifice unit as a stacking frontliner.

Kha’Zix is not in Blackthorn, but he evolves Ravager (once per unique takedown) and Executioner (at 3 unique takedowns). That means he can represent both missing origins while actually dealing damage. Pair him with Azir — who summons Sand Soldiers that trigger Executioner — and the evolution triggers are consistent.

Itemize Azir with Executioner recipes: Infinity Edge, Giant Slayer, or Last Whisper depending on the lobby from the item recipes. Kha’Zix wants AD items: Deathblade, Hextech Gunblade, or a Guinsoo’s if you are mixing in on-hit.

Roll at level 7 for 3-star Azir and 3-star Kha’Zix while the sacrifice unit stacks in the background. Slow-roll at 50 gold. If two other players are on Azir, pivot to Sprykin Veigar or Riftbeast.

Malphite as the surviving sacrifice

At 6 Blackthorn, Malphite becomes the ideal occupant because he permanently gains maximum Health when enemies die nearby. A 3-star Malphite at 6 Blackthorn with Warmog’s and Gargoyle is a wall that gets bigger every fight. Slot him on the marked hex, give him tank items, and let the opposing board feed him.

This line is slower than Azir reroll. It requires 6 Blackthorn to activate the survival mechanic, which means more copies and a higher level. Only pursue it when Malphite copies are open and you can reach level 8 without bleeding out.

Common Blackthorn mistakes

Parking the carry on the sacrifice hex. Forcing 8 Blackthorn when 6 plus a legendary from the champion list is stronger. Ignoring Kha’Zix as an evolution carrier because he is not in the origin. Itemizing a 1-cost sacrifice as the long-term carry when Azir is the actual plan. Treating the sacrifice as free stats at 2 and 4 when it requires 6 to stop killing your unit.

Play Blackthorn when the sacrifice unit is cheap and stackable, Kha’Zix is uncontested, and you can reach 6 before dying. If two other players already hold Azir, leave.

If Blackthorn is contested, Riftbeast and Sprykin on the comp list give you somewhere else to go.