List below shows whether Blue Buff or Spear of Shojin is better for each champion. This takes into account both first cast and subsequent casts. Blue Buff gives the champion 30 initial mana and 20 mana after casting a spell. Spear of Shojin gives 15 initial mana and 5 additional mana per auto attack. I explain how mana works below the table.
Which Item do I build on each TFT Champion?
Champion | Which is Better? |
Aatrox | Shojin |
Ahri | Either |
Akali | Blue Buff |
Annie | Either |
Aphelios | Shojin |
Ashe | Blue Buff |
Azir | Shojin |
Chosen Azir | Shojin |
Cassiopeia | Shojin |
Chosen Cassiopeia | Shojin |
Diana | Either |
Elise | Shojin |
Evelynn | Either |
Ezreal | Shojin |
Chosen Ezreal | Blue, Shojin |
Fiora | Shojin |
Garen | Shojin |
Hecarim | Shojin |
Irelia | Blue, Shojin. Enlightened: Shojin for 2,4 and Blue for 6 |
Janna | Either |
Chosen Janna | Either. Enlightened: Blue at 2 |
Jarvan IV | Shojin |
Jax | Shojin |
Jhin | N/A |
Jinx | Blue Buff. Sharpshooter: Shojin |
Kalista | N/A |
Katarina | Shojin |
Kayn | Blue Buff |
Kennen | Shojin |
Kindred | Blue Buff |
Lee Sin | Blue Buff |
Lillia | Blue, Shojin |
Chosen Lillia | Shojin |
Lissandra | Blue Buff |
Lulu | Shojin |
Chosen Lulu | Shojin |
Lux | Shojin |
Chosen Lux | Blue, Shojin |
Maokai | Shojin |
Morgana | Shojin |
Nami | Blue Buff. Enlightened: Either |
Chosen Nami | Either |
Nidalee | Either. Sharpshooter: Shojin |
Nunu | Shojin |
Pyke | Blue, Shojin |
Chosen Pyke | Shojin |
Riven | Blue Buff |
Sejuani | Shojin |
Sett | Shojin |
Shen | Shojin |
Sylas | Either |
Tahm Kench | N/A |
Talon | Shojin. Blue Buff casts faster, but Shojin is for damage |
Teemo | Either. Sharpshooter: Shojin |
Chosen Teemo | Either. Sharpshooter: Shojin |
Thresh | Blue, Shojin |
Chosen Thresh | Shojin |
TwistedFate | Either |
Vayne | N/A |
Veigar | Either |
Vi | Either |
Warwick | Either |
Wukong | Blue Buff |
Xin Zhao | Blue Buff |
Yasuo | Either |
Yone | Shojin for Seal Fate. Blue for Unforgotten |
Yuumi | Blue Buff |
Chosen Yuumi | Blue Buff |
Zed | N/A |
Zilean | Blue, Shojin |
Chosen Zilean | Shojin |
Assumptions of table: Mana gained from damage taken is not taken into account. Spear of Shojin or Blue Buff might not be Best in Slot for that particular champion. This is not a recommendation to build the item on every champion listed. This table is only supposed to compare Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin, not every item in the game.
Issues to consider if “Either” is listed
- If the champion is prone to getting stunned and takes damage to gain enough mana before their next spell cast, Blue Buff will be better since they gain 20 mana from 0 auto attacks.
- Depending on Mana thresholds, one item might be better than the other when mana gained from damage taken is considered. For example, Ahri takes 5 auto attacks for her first cast when equipped with either Blue Buff and Spear of Shojin. However, after 4 auto attacks, Shojin puts her at a 75/80 mana, meaning she only needs to gain 5 mana from damage to cast, whereas Blue Buff puts her at 70/80 mana.
- Shojin adds attack damage, making ties slightly favored for Shojin.
- Champions with Runaan’s Hurricane or effects that trigger on-hit effects will prefer Shojin
How Mana Works
Mana is gained after every auto attack and every time a unit takes damage.
- Every Basic Attack generates 10 mana per attack
- Pre-mitigation damage generates mana from 6% of the damage taken, up to a maximum of 42.5 Mana per instance
- After casting a spell, champions do not gain mana until after a brief delay. Some champions are Mana-Locked for longer time periods, such as the duration of their spell.