How TFT Set 8.5 Underground trait works

Crack vaults with losses to obtain sweet rewards.

Image via Riot Games

Riot Games has included an alternative way to gain Teamfight Tactics gold and loot through the Set 8.5 trait, Underground. 

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The Underground trait during TFT Set Eight Monsters Attack! proved itself worthy as an econ trait that players can invest in. Minor changes were made to the trait through Patch 13.5 in preparation for Set 8.5, reducing the amount during early cashouts while increasing gold for cashouts of five and above.

Champions within the trait are seeking to complete a heist by cracking locks during each round of player combat, earning rewards upon completing up to seven total heists. Cracking 10 locks opens a vault and unlocks a Heist. The units in Set 8.5 that have the Underground trait are Kayle, Ezreal, Vi, Sona, and Samira.

Related: TFT Set 8.5 cheat sheet for Glitched Out!: All traits and breakpoint stats

No new champions were given the Underground trait in Set 8.5 but the breakpoints were reworked to 3/4/5/6. The change in breakpoints favors loss-streaks with the Underground trait, providing a risk/reward strategy that can boost a player into the top four of their lobby or quickly go eighth.

  • Three: Two locks per win and three locks per loss
  • Four: Two locks per win and four locks per loss
  • Five: Three locks per win and five locks per loss
  • Six: Four locks per win and seven locks per loss

Early Heist vaults can contain minor rewards like gold, components, or an item. Heists five to seven contain large amounts of gold, along with the possibility of full items, Champion Duplicators, and even an Ornn Artifact. Players have the option to take the reward or continue unlocking vaults, earning better rewards with each heist that is completed. 

Underground TFT Set Eight Heist table rewards

Getting to the seventh heist isn’t easy. But if players do manage to crack the seventh vault, rewards include Radiant items, Ornn Artifacts, and other surprises, according to game design director Stephen “Mortdog” Mortimer. The third vault is where the rewards begin to step up. Tables for the Underground trait in TFT Set 8.5 have not been revealed at time of writing.

Updated Nov. 23 9:45am CT: All changes from the Nov. 23 TFT Set Eight PBE patch were applied.

Updated Nov. 29 9:30am CT: All TFT Set Eight Heist rewards for the Underground trait were added.

Update Jan. 12 4:15pm CT: Strategic options during the early game were added following the release of TFT Set Eight Patch 13.1.

Update March 8 12pm CT: All changes to the Underground trait in TFT Set 8.5 were applied.

Author
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Danny Forster
Danny has been writing for Dot Esports for over five years, first as a freelancer and now as a staff writer. He is the lead beat writer for Magic: The Gathering and Teamfight Tactics. Danny is also a solid Monopoly GO player, having beaten every main event without spending a dime. When Danny isn't writing or gaming, he's chilling by the water in Spacecoast Florida with his family and friends. He's always got a tan, because touching grass is important, and loves playing strategic digital and tabletop games. Past outlets Danny has written for include TheGamer and ScreenRant.