Teamfight Manager is a simulation game where you are the coach of an e-sports team. You must manage players to set them up for matches. Make the best of pick & ban by evaluating the characteristics of the champions/players! A smart strategy can make up for a lack of individual player skills.
You take on the role of a coach managing an esports team in this simulation game. The core gameplay loop centers around strategically navigating the pick and ban phase to assemble the optimal team composition, then watching the resulting team battle play out in simulated matches.
The pick and ban phase is widely considered the highlight. You must carefully evaluate the unique characteristics and strengths of the available 30+ champions, as well as monitor your opponents' picks and bans, in order to craft an effective team composition. This phase requires deep strategic thinking and constant adaptation as the meta shifts with each new patch and addition of 6 champions.
Each champion has its own set of unique abilities and characteristics that you must understand and leverage effectively. Champions possess basic skills usable during cooldowns, as well as powerful ultimate abilities limited to once per match. Mastering the interplay between these abilities and how they synergize with the rest of the team's composition is crucial to winning.
The developers regularly release new champions and balance patches that significantly alter the viability of certain strategies and team compositions. You must constantly adapt your approach to stay ahead of the curve, leading to a highly replayable and unpredictable experience.
While the pick and ban phase is the main focus, the game also incorporates elements of player management. You can recruit new talent, train and improve your existing players, and optimize your team's equipment and facilities. These management aspects, while not as deeply developed as the core gameplay, provide an additional layer of strategy and customization.
Reviewers have praised the depth and complexity of the pick and ban phase, the clever way the developers handle meta shifts, and the overall addictive nature of the gameplay loop. Many have highlighted the game's ability to capture the essence of esports strategy and decision-making in a captivating and accessible simulation format.