Expected Unexpectedness is a high-variance augment in Teamfight Tactics (TFT) that rolls three dice at specific stages, delivering a loot reward based on the sum total but with surprise twists depending on the exact dice combination. This augment introduces an exciting gamble into gameplay, balancing planned strategies against randomness. Understanding its mechanics, reward table, and tactical applications can give players a crucial edge, especially in mid-to-late game transitions.
How Expected Unexpectedness Works
When you select Expected Unexpectedness (at Set 13+, appearing as either I or II), the game rolls three six-sided dice at predetermined stages (e.g., Stage 2-1, 3-2, and 4-2). The sum of these dice determines your reward, with rarer totals yielding stronger loot. What makes it unique is that even rolls with identical sums can produce different rewards if the individual dice are the same (e.g., 3+3+3 differs from 5+1+3) Â :contentReference.
Typical Reward Distribution
While the full loot table remains partially hidden, community efforts have pieced together probabilities and outcomes:
- Sums around 911 are most common (~1112%) and typically offer moderate rewards like rerolls, gold, and occasional Tier 4/5 units.
- Higher rolls (1415) are less frequent (~45%) and can grant powerful rewards such as Item Anvils allowing selection of completed or special items.
- Extreme outcomes (3 or 18) are very rare (<1%) and may unlock unique rewards like Tactician's Crowns.
Probability Breakdown
The underlying chance relies on the sum distribution of three dice 216 total outcomes:
- Totals 10 or 11 are most probable (~27 outcomes each).
- Totals 3 or 18 occur only once each, making them ultra-rare.
Because certain sums correspond to specific rewards, the expected outcomes align with the statistical likelihood of rolling those totals, guiding player expectations and strategy.
Strategic Timing and Choice
Your decision to take Expected Unexpectedness should factor in timing and your current game state. Choosing I provides earlier rewards, helpful if you’re behind. Opting for II delays the roll but offers greater potential later, ideal when you’re economy-stable and seeking late-game power spikes.
Optimal Roll Stages
- Early rolls (Stage 2-1) help stabilize board or economy with gold and rerolls.
- Mid rolls (Stage 3-2 / 4-2) may yield units or items that transition into your core team.
- Late rolls are best when you can capitalize on Item Anvils and rare rewards to pivot aggressively.
Reward Examples by Dice Totals
- Totals 68: Gold + rerolls (e.g., 7 rerolls + 1520 gold).
- Totals 1012: Incorporates upgraded units like 2-star Tier 3s, Tier 4/5 champions.
- Totals 1415: Grants Item Anvils to choose between completed items, artifacts, or support equipment.
- Totals 3 or 18: Trigger extremely rare bonuses such as Tactician’s Crown, though these are community-theorized.
Gameplay Scenarios and Adaptation
Expected Unexpectedness rewards adaptable players. Even mid-range rolls can be useful if aligned with your comp type rerolls help stabilize shops; gold boosts econ; units improve board strength; and Item Anvils enable targeted gear upgrades.
- Mid-game rolls support bench filling or hitting key trait thresholds.
- Late-game rolls can enable full power spikes through high-tier items or Radiant gear.
- Adjusting roll timing and augment selection is essential depending on your econ plan or comp path.
Community Insights and Ongoing Discovery
TFT communities like Reddit and Tacter are actively testing Expected Unexpectedness outcomes. Guides list partial tables, percentages, and special-case bonuses. These efforts show how rewards depend not only on totals but also on each die’s combination :contentReference.
Community posts highlight that such surprises can shift a close game, pushing players to explore EPS strategy deeply rather than rely on static tierlists :contentReference.
Best Practices for Using Expected Unexpectedness
- Pick roll timing based on your current econ and board strength.
- Plan for mid-range outcomes; don’t depend on ultra-low or ultra-high rolls.
- Adapt team comp and bench around item or unit rewards.
- Engage with community loot updates to anticipate reward patterns.
Expected Unexpectedness adds a thrilling dice-roll mechanic to TFT, blending probability and strategy. Understanding its reward patterns mid-roll rerolls or gold, late-roll Item Anvils, or rare jackpot outcomes can help you pivot dynamic game states without losing tempo. While it’s impossible to control the dice, mastering when to roll and how to adapt ensures you can turn randomness into a competitive edge in TFT’s evolving meta.