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Game patch 26.21Data Dragon 16.21.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Tristana Mid · Normal Draft

Tristana has a reviewed secondary role here. It is less common than the primary roles, but it has a recognisable role-specific plan.

Reviewed secondaryStandard Summoner's Rift preparation
Champion overview
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Mid

Evidence-supported Tristana Mid

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Reviewed secondary
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Bow

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

The Collector

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Berserker's Greaves

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Navori Flickerblade

2,650 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Infinity Edge

3,500 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Lord Dominik's Regards

3,300 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Late sustain

Bloodthirster

3,400 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with high attack damage and sustain for extended late fights.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeThey burst meGuardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.View full route

Best when: Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. Guardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeMagic damage reaches meWit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.View full route

Best when: Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. Wit's End
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Tristana MidRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey burst meGuardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.View full route

Best when: Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. LateInfinity Edge
  5. Guardian Angel
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeMagic damage reaches meWit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.View full route

Best when: Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

  1. First itemThe Collector
  2. BootsBerserker's Greaves
  3. CoreNavori Flickerblade
  4. Wit's End
  5. FlexibleLord Dominik's Regards
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsTristanaMid

Create one clean burst window after managing the Mid wave instead of forcing every cooldown into the lane.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Domination

ElectrocuteSudden ImpactGrisly MementosUltimate Hunter
Secondary tree

Sorcery

TranscendenceScorch
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

They burst me

Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel protects a completed damage core from one decisive death.

Magic damage reaches me

Wit's End

Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

Kit reference

Tristana abilities

Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.

Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive

Draw a Bead

What it doesIncreases Tristana's Attack Range as she levels.

Q
Q ability

Rapid Fire

What it doesTristana fires her weapon rapidly, increasing her Attack Speed for a short time.

Cooldown (s)20/19/18/17/16Cost15/20/25/30/35Listed range (units)20
W
W ability

Rocket Jump

What it doesTristana fires at the ground to propel her to a distant location, dealing damage and slowing surrounding units for a brief period where she lands.

Cooldown (s)22/20/18/16/14Cost30/35/40/45/50Listed range (units)900
E
E ability

Explosive Charge

What it doesWhen Tristana kills a unit, her cannonballs burst into shrapnel, dealing damage to surrounding enemies. Can be activated to place a bomb on a target enemy that explodes after a short duration dealing damage to surrounding units.

Cooldown (s)16/15.5/15/14.5/14Cost50/55/60/65/70Listed range (units)550
R
Ultimate

Buster Shot

What it doesTristana loads a massive cannonball into her weapon and fires it at an enemy unit. This deals Magic Damage and knocks the target back. If the target is carrying the Explosive Charge bomb, the bomb detonation radius is doubled.

Cooldown (s)100Cost100Listed range (units)550

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Tristana Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Use the guide

Put Tristana into a real matchup

Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.

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