What is Magic Resist (MR) and how does it work in TFT?

Magic Resist (MR) is the magic-defense stat that reduces incoming magic damage. Each point of MR multiplies your effective HP against magic damage by 1 + MR/100 . So the damage you take after mitigation equals raw damage × 100/(100 + MR). 50 MR ≈ 33.3% magic damage reduced. 100 MR = 50% reduced. The effective HP (EHP) curve scales linearly, with no diminishing returns. Note: MR does nothing against physical damage. True damage ignores it entirely. That includes Burn , which deals percent-max-HP as true damage.

What's the difference between Magic Resist and Armor — and between Shred and Sunder?

Armor and Magic Resist guard against different damage types, and Sunder and Shred mirror that split. Armor reduces incoming physical (AD) damage. Magic Resist reduces incoming magic (AP) damage. Both use the same reduction formula, R / (100 + R) , just applied to different damage types. The reduction debuffs mirror that split. Sunder reduces a target's Armor. Shred reduces a target's Magic Resist. Both are percent-based reductions, not flat. Note: Duration varies by source. Some applications are timed, a few seconds after a hit. Others persist as auras while a condition holds.

When mixing flat and percent MR reduction, what is the order of operations?

Flat reduction comes first, then percent Shred, then the resistance formula. Flat MR reduction is applied to the MR value first. Then percent Shred operates on the remaining value. Then the resistance formula runs against that final MR. Damage amplifiers are effects that read 'deals X% more damage'. In TFT they apply post-mitigation, after the MR formula resolves. Note: Stacking flat reduction first and then percent Shred gets diminishing efficiency from the Shred, because it operates on a smaller MR value. Resistances cannot go below 0, so flat reduction past zero is wasted.

Are there diminishing returns on stacking Magic Resist?

No. In effective-HP (EHP) terms, every point of MR adds a fixed slice of EHP, no matter how much MR you already have. The formula is EHP = HP × (1 + MR/100) . Going from 0 to 100 MR doubles your effective HP versus magic damage (1.0× → 2.0×). Another +100 MR adds the same fixed slice on top (2.0× → 3.0×). The percentage-reduction curve flattens, but EHP scales linearly. Note: Stacking only MR leaves you exposed to physical damage, which Armor handles, and to true damage, which ignores both resists. Layer MR with Armor and HP.

How do Shred and other Magic Resist reduction effects stack with each other?

The Shred keyword does not stack . When multiple Shred sources hit the same target, they don't add together. Riot's exact patch-note phrasing is 'this effect does not stack'. Two 30% Shreds don't combine into 60%. Only one Shred is active at a time. Note: A few champion abilities and items apply flat MR reduction, a small fixed value (e.g., −X MR per hit). Those follow different stacking rules than the percent Shred keyword, even when their tooltip text also reads 'Shred'.

Can a unit's Magic Resist go below zero, and does that amplify damage taken?

No, not in current TFT. Resistances are floored at 0 . Once Shred and other MR-reduction effects bring a unit to 0 MR, any further reduction is wasted. Incoming magic damage is then fully unmitigated, essentially true damage, but it isn't amplified. The reduction multiplier 100 / (100 + MR) tops out at 1.0×. Note: This is a deliberate divergence from base League of Legends, where negative resistances can amplify damage. TFT patched the negative-resist edge cases out of champion kits years ago. The floor at 0 has held across every set since.

Does Magic Resist help against true damage or Burn ticks?

No. Magic Resist only reduces incoming magic damage, so true damage of any kind passes through it untouched. Burn is a clear example. Its damage-over-time tick is dealt as true damage, based on a percentage of the target's maximum Health. So neither MR nor Armor mitigates it. MR also doesn't reduce physical damage. Note: MR is purely a damage-reduction stat. A unit with stacked MR but a thin Health pool can still be melted by any source tagged true damage in its tooltip.

Does TFT have Magic Penetration like League of Legends?

No. TFT does not expose a 'Magic Penetration' stat the way League does. There is no item, trait, or buff that grants flat or percent magic penetration as a holder-side stat. Instead, TFT reduces a target's effective Magic Resist through Shred , a debuff applied to the target. It comes most commonly via on-hit item effects, certain trait actives, and ability scripts. Note: Damage amplifiers are clauses that increase outgoing damage by a percent. They are a separate mechanic and don't reduce MR. They stack alongside Shred rather than replacing it.

Magic Resist

Magic Resist is the magic-defense stat that reduces incoming Ability Power (AP) damage.

Items that grant, scale with, or counter Magic Resist (37)

Adaptive Helm
- +20 MR
- +3 Mana Regen
Gain an additional 15% Mana from all sources. The wearer gains an additional bonus based on their Role: Tanks and Fighters: Gain 30 Armor and Magic Resistance. Other Roles: Gain 10% Attack Damage and Ability Power.
Bloodthirster
- +20 MR
- +18% AD
- +18% AP
- +20% Omnivamp
Once per combat at 50% Health, gain a 30% max Health Shield that lasts up to 5 seconds.
Dragon's Claw
- +60 MR
Gain 6% max Health. Every 2 seconds, heal 2.5% max Health.
Evenshroud
- +250 HP
- +20 MR
30% Sunder enemies within 2 hexes. Gain 15 Armor and Magic Resist for the first 15 seconds of combat. Sunder: Reduce Armor
Gargoyle Stoneplate
- +100 HP
- +25 Armor
- +25 MR
Gain 10 Armor and 10 Magic Resist for each enemy targeting the holder.
Ionic Spark
- +250 HP
- +35 MR
- +15% AP
30% Shred enemies within 2 hexes. When enemies cast an Ability, deal magic damage equal to 150% of the Mana spent. Shred: Reduce Magic Resist
Kraken's Fury
- +20 MR
- +10% AD
- +10% AS
Attacks grant 3.5% stacking Attack Damage, up to 15 attacks. After 15 attacks, gain 15% Attack Speed.
Protector's Vow
- +25 Armor
- +25 MR
- +1 Mana Regen
Combat Start: Gain 20 Mana. At 40% Health, gain 15 Mana and a Shield equal to 20% max Health.
Quicksilver
- +20 MR
- +15% AS
- +20% Crit
Combat Start: Unstoppable for 18 seconds. Gain 3% stacking Attack Speed every second.
Void Staff
- +15% AS
- +35% AP
- +1 Mana Regen
Attacks and Ability damage 30% Shred the target for 5 seconds. This effect does not stack. Shred: Reduce Magic Resist
Negatron Cloak
- +20 MR
Radiant Adaptive Helm
- +40 MR
- +7 Mana Regen
Gain an additional 30% Mana from all sources. The wearer gains an additional bonus based on their Role: Tanks and Fighters: Gain 80 Armor and Magic Resistance. Other Roles: Gain 40% Attack Damage and Ability Power.
Radiant Bloodthirster
- +40 MR
- +40% AD
- +40% AP
- +40% Omnivamp
Once per combat at 50% Health, gain a 60% max Health Shield that lasts up to 5 seconds.
Radiant Dragon's Claw
- +120 MR
Gain 28% max Health. Every 2 seconds, heal 5% max Health.
Radiant Evenshroud
- +500 HP
- +40 MR
30% Sunder enemies within 3 hexes. Gain 50 Armor and Magic Resist for the first 20 seconds of combat. Sunder: Reduce Armor
Radiant Gargoyle Stoneplate
- +400 HP
- +50 Armor
- +50 MR
Gain 20 Armor and 20 Magic Resist for each enemy targeting the holder.
Radiant Ionic Spark
- +500 HP
- +70 MR
- +30% AP
30% Shred enemies within 2 hexes. When enemies cast an Ability, deal magic damage equal to 300% of the Mana spent. Shred: Reduce Magic Resist
Radiant Kraken's Fury
- +40 MR
- +20% AD
- +20% AS
Attacks grant 7% stacking Attack Damage, up to 15 attacks. After 15 attacks, gain 30% Attack Speed.
Radiant Protector's Vow
- +50 Armor
- +50 MR
- +2 Mana Regen
Combat Start: Gain 40 Mana. At 40% Health, gain 30 Mana and a Shield equal to 50% max Health
Radiant Quicksilver
- +40 MR
- +40% AS
- +40% Crit
Combat Start: Unstoppable for 45 seconds. Gain 6% stacking Attack Speed every second.
Radiant Void Staff
- +30% AS
- +75% AP
- +2 Mana Regen
Attacks and Ability damage 30% Shred the target for the rest of combat. This effect does not stack. Shred: Reduce Magic Resist
Aegis of Dusk
- +400 HP
- +70 MR
Every 2.5 seconds, steal 3 Magic Resist from enemies within 1-hex and deal 18% of the holder's Magic Resist as magic damage. If Aegis of Dawn is also equipped, trigger this item's effect every 1.25 seconds instead. Damage increases based on Stage.
Blighting Jewel
- +30% AP
- +2 Mana Regen
Dealing magic damage reduces the target’s Magic Resist by 3. If their Magic Resist is 0, grant the holder 4 Mana instead. Ability damage can only trigger on each enemy once every 0.5 seconds.
Horizon Focus
- +250 HP
- +20 Armor
- +20 MR
- +2 Mana Regen
Stunning an enemy causes lightning to strike them, dealing 30% of their max Health as magic damage.
Infinity Force
- +300 HP
- +30 Armor
- +30 MR
- +30% AD
- +30% AS
- +30% AP
Tons of EVERYTHING!
Lightshield Crest
- +55 Armor
- +55 MR
Every 3 seconds, Shields the lowest percent Health ally for 70% of the holder’s combined Armor and Magic Resist for 5 seconds. On death grants this shield to all allies.
Mogul's Mail
- +300 HP
Grants 1 Armor, 1 Magic Resist, and 5 Health when taking damage, stacking up to 35 times. At full stacks, grant 1 gold and continue gaining 1 gold every 11 seconds. Unique - only 1 per champion
Seeker's Armguard
- +10 Armor
- +10 MR
- +25% AP
- +20% Omnivamp
Takedowns increase the holder’s Armor, Magic Resist, and Ability Power by 20.
Silvermere Dawn
- +30 Armor
- +30 MR
- +150% AD
- +30% Omnivamp
Grants immunity to Stuns and the holder's attacks Stun the target for 0.8 seconds. The holder’s Attack Speed is locked at 0.5.
The Indomitable
- +500 HP
- +20 Armor
- +20 MR
The holder's Move Speed is drastically reduced. Gain 15% max Health, Unstoppable, and pull the current target into melee range.
Wit's End
- +300 HP
- +20 Armor
- +20 MR
- +25% AS
Attacks deal 25/45/65/85/100 bonus magic damage. Heals the holder for 25% of all magic damage dealt. Damage increases based on Stage.
Zhonya's Paradox
- +25 Armor
- +25 MR
- +25% AP
Once per combat at 40% Health, become invulnerable and untargetable for 3 seconds. Unique - only 1 per champion
Defender Emblem
- +30 Armor
- +30 MR
The holder gains the Defender trait. Combat Start: Gain 6% Attack Speed for every ally that starts in the front row.
```
Your team gains 12 Armor and Magic Resist. Defenders gain more.
```
2
25
4
60
6
115
Elderwood Emblem
- +25 Armor
- +25 MR
- +25% AS
The holder gains the Elderwood trait.
```
Gain placeable Elderwood plants.
```
3
A Stonebark Tree and a Lifebloom
5
A second Stonebark Tree and Stonebark Trees gain 200 Health
7
and the Deepwood Protector
9
Plants star up to 2-star
11
Plants star up to 3-star and the forest comes to life
Ravager Emblem
- +20 Armor
- +20 MR
- +20% AD
- +20% AP
The holder gains the Ravager trait. Gain 3% Damage Amp per 300 Health restored.
```
Ravagers gain 10% Omnivamp. Additionally, Ravagers deal bonus damage, doubled against units below 50% Health.
```
2
12% Bonus Damage
4
25% Bonus Damage
6
40% Bonus Damage
Sprykin Emblem
- +15 Armor
- +15 MR
- +10% AS
The holder gains the Sprykin trait. If the holder is riding the BFF, gain an additional 20% 15 15
```
Gain the Big Furry Friend. Drop a Sprykin on the BFF to pick its Rider.
```
3
The Rider gains 15% and 15%
5
40% 35% , and 50% of the BFF's Ability applies to your Sprykin champions.
7
55% 55% , and 100% of the BFF's Ability applies to your Sprykin champions.
Vanguard Emblem
- +25 Armor
- +25 MR
The holder gains the Vanguard trait. If the holder survives 22 seconds in player combat, gain 1 player health.
```
At Combat Start and after dropping below 50% Health, Vanguards gain a max Health Shield for 10 seconds.
```
2
18% max Health
4
30% max Health
6
40% max Health. Gain 5% Durability while Shielded.

Champions that grant, scale with, or counter Magic Resist (9)

9 champions · paste in the game's Team Planner

1 Leona

Magic Tank

Shield Bash
Passive: Start combat with 60 / 80 / 100  bonus Armor and Magic Resist that decays over 12 seconds.

Active: Bash the current target, dealing 60 / 108 / 162  magic damage and Stunning them for 1.5 seconds.

1 Pebbles

Magic Caster

Azure Laser
Begin consuming 35% max Mana per second and channeling a laser on the target. Each second while casting, deal 160 / 240 / 360  magic damage to them and reduce their Magic Resist by 3.

Teal Buff: Gain 2 Mana Regen for every 4 seconds channeled.

2 Kayle

Magic Specialist

Solar Judgement
Passive: Kayle ascends based on her star level, granting her stacking bonuses. 

1st Ascension: Attacks deal 65 / 97 / 110  bonus magic damage.
2nd Ascension: Attacks 20% Shred enemies hit for 2 seconds. 
3rd Ascension: Attacks fire waves, dealing 35  magic damage to all other units hit.
4th Ascension: Gain infinite range. Every 3rd wave is much larger.

Shred: Reduce Magic Resist

3 Fiddlesticks

Magic Tank

Harvest
Reduce the Magic Resist of the 3 nearest enemies by 10. Then drain life from them over 2 seconds, healing for 410 / 485 / 850  Health and dealing 70 / 105 / 170  magic damage to each over the duration.

3 Hecarim

Magic Tank

Spirit of Dread
Gain 50 Armor and Magic Resist for 3 seconds and restore 375 / 475 / 685  Health over the duration. Launch spectral riders at the 3 nearest enemies, dealing 80 / 120 / 195  magic damage and Stunning them for 1.5 / 1.5 / 1.75 seconds.

3 Rammus

Attack Tank

Defensive Ball Curl
Taunt, forcing enemies to attack this champion. For 4 seconds, gain 400 / 550 / 700  Shield and 60 Armor and Magic Resist.

When the Shield breaks, deal 50 / 75 / 120  physical damage to enemies in 2 Hexes.

4 Malphite

Magic Tank

Petrified Bark
Gain 700 / 850 / 2000  Shield for 4 seconds and become petrified. When the shield breaks, unleash a wave of dark energy, dealing 82 / 123 / 3399  magic damage to enemies within 2 / 2 / 3 hexes.

5 Gnar

Attack Specialist

Rage Gene
Passive: Gain 5 / 5 / 50 Rage per second and 5 / 5 / 20 Rage per attack. 

Active: Transform into Mega Gnar and leap into the largest group of enemies within 3 hexes. Then, deal 100 / 150 / 2000  physical damage to enemies within 2 / 2 / 10 hexes, reduce their Armor and Magic Resist by 15 / 20 / 250 , and Stun them for 1 / 1 / 15 second. Mega Gnar gains 400 / 600 / 15000 Health, and replaces his Ability with Grab n' Throw.

Grab n' Throw: Throw the target at the farthest enemy, dealing 380 / 570 / 9000  physical damage to them and 135 / 205 / 4500  physical damage to enemies they pass through. If there's only 1 enemy left, throw them off the battlefield instead.

5 Lux (Coven)

Magic Caster

Final Spark
Passive: On cast, all allies that share a trait with Lux gain 3 / 3 / 100  mana. 

Active: Fire a laser towards the most enemies in a line that deals 375 / 565 / 6500  magic damage, reduced by 25 / 25 / 10% for each enemy hit (minimum 40%).

Coven Bonus: Reduces the Armor and Magic Resist of targets hit by 8 for the rest of combat.

Augments that grant or counter Magic Resist (14)

Bronze for Life II Prismatic

Your team gains 2.5% Damage Amp and 3 Armor and Magic Resist for each Bronze-tier trait.

TONS of Stats! (II) Prismatic

Your team gains 88 Health, 8% Attack Damage, 8% Ability Power, 8 Armor, 8 Magic Resist, 8% Attack Speed, and 8 Mana.

Verticality III Prismatic

Champions gain 4% Attack Damage, 4% Ability Power, 3.5 Armor, and 3.5 Magic Resist for each ally that shares a trait with them.

Bodyguard Training Gold

Allies gain 15 Armor and Magic Resist, increased by 2 per player level.

Gizmos & Gadgets Championship, 2022

Group Hug II Gold

Combat start: Champions grant other adjacent champions 10 Armor and Magic Resist. This effect stacks.

Makeshift Armor II Gold

Champions without items equipped gain 50 Armor and Magic Resist.

Plot Armor Gold

Your team gains 8 Armor and Magic Resist. After falling below 50% Health, increase this to 40 for the rest of combat.

Tons of Stats! (I) Gold

Your team gains 44 Health, 4% Attack Damage, 4% Ability Power, 4 Armor, 4 Magic Resist, 4% Attack Speed, and 4 Mana.

Verticality II Gold

Champions gain 2.5% Attack Damage, 2.5% Ability Power, 2 Armor, and 2 Magic Resist for each ally that shares a trait with them.

Corrosion Silver

Enemies in the first two rows lose 4 Armor and Magic Resist every 2 seconds.

Group Hug I Silver

Combat start: Champions grant other adjacent champions 7 Armor and Magic Resist. This effect stacks.

Makeshift Armor I Silver

Champions without items equipped gain 30 Armor and Magic Resist.

Twin Guardians Silver

If you have exactly 2 allies in your first row, grant them 100 Health, 35 Armor, and 35 Magic Resist.

Verticality I Silver

Champions gain 1.5% Attack Damage, 1.5% Ability Power, 1.5 Armor, and 1.5 Magic Resist for each ally that shares a trait with them.

Traits that grant or counter Magic Resist (5)

Caustic

Caustic damage 30% Shreds and Sunders enemies for 4 seconds.

Shred: Reduce Magic Resist
Sunder: Reduce Armor

Defender

Your team gains 12 Armor and Magic Resist. Defenders gain more.

Monolith

Monoliths gain 10 Armor and Magic Resist for each enemy targeting them.

Riftbeast

Solar

Your champions gain a 5% max Health shield and deal 8% bonus magic damage. Gain additional bonuses for each unique 3-star champion:

1 : Increase shield and magic damage by 1% for each 3-star. 
3 : 15%  and 12 
5 : Convert 40% of the bonus magic damage to true damage.
7 : Every 4 seconds of combat, a 3-star champion ascends to 4-star.

Wisps that benefit from Magic Resist (4)

What benefits from Magic Resist (4)

Doodad Bag Other

Gain 2 consumables that give permanent Armor and Magic Resist or Health.

Doodad Jar Other

Gain 1 consumable that gives permanent Armor and Magic Resist or Health.

Doodad Sack Other

Gain 3 consumables that give permanent Armor and Magic Resist or Health.

Grove Armor Combat

Your highest Health champion gains 15 Armor and 15 Magic Resist.

What counters Magic Resist

What Magic Resist counters

Frequently asked questions

What is Magic Resist (MR) and how does it work in TFT?
Magic Resist (MR) is the magic-defense stat that reduces incoming magic damage.
Each point of MR multiplies your effective HP against magic damage by 1 + MR/100. So the damage you take after mitigation equals raw damage × 100/(100 + MR).
- 50 MR ≈ 33.3% magic damage reduced.
- 100 MR = 50% reduced.
- The effective HP (EHP) curve scales linearly, with no diminishing returns.
Note: MR does nothing against physical damage. True damage ignores it entirely. That includes Burn, which deals percent-max-HP as true damage.
Sources
What's the difference between Magic Resist and Armor — and between Shred and Sunder?
Armor and Magic Resist guard against different damage types, and Sunder and Shred mirror that split.
- Armor reduces incoming physical (AD) damage.
- Magic Resist reduces incoming magic (AP) damage.
- Both use the same reduction formula, R / (100 + R), just applied to different damage types.
The reduction debuffs mirror that split.
- Sunder reduces a target's Armor.
- Shred reduces a target's Magic Resist.
- Both are percent-based reductions, not flat.
Note: Duration varies by source. Some applications are timed, a few seconds after a hit. Others persist as auras while a condition holds.
Sources
- Resistances (TFT) — League of Legends Wiki (opens in new tab)
- How Armor and Magic Resistance works in TFT — LeDuck (Tacter) (opens in new tab)
When mixing flat and percent MR reduction, what is the order of operations?
Flat reduction comes first, then percent Shred, then the resistance formula.
- Flat MR reduction is applied to the MR value first.
- Then percent Shred operates on the remaining value.
- Then the resistance formula runs against that final MR.
Damage amplifiers are effects that read 'deals X% more damage'. In TFT they apply post-mitigation, after the MR formula resolves.
Note: Stacking flat reduction first and then percent Shred gets diminishing efficiency from the Shred, because it operates on a smaller MR value. Resistances cannot go below 0, so flat reduction past zero is wasted.
Sources
Are there diminishing returns on stacking Magic Resist?
No. In effective-HP (EHP) terms, every point of MR adds a fixed slice of EHP, no matter how much MR you already have.
The formula is EHP = HP × (1 + MR/100).
- Going from 0 to 100 MR doubles your effective HP versus magic damage (1.0× → 2.0×).
- Another +100 MR adds the same fixed slice on top (2.0× → 3.0×).
- The percentage-reduction curve flattens, but EHP scales linearly.
Note: Stacking only MR leaves you exposed to physical damage, which Armor handles, and to true damage, which ignores both resists. Layer MR with Armor and HP.
Sources
- How Armor and MR work in League — Boosteria ("scales linearly with resistance") (opens in new tab)
- How Armor and Magic Resistance works in TFT — LeDuck (Tacter) (opens in new tab)
How do Shred and other Magic Resist reduction effects stack with each other?
The Shred keyword does not stack. When multiple Shred sources hit the same target, they don't add together.
Riot's exact patch-note phrasing is 'this effect does not stack'.
- Two 30% Shreds don't combine into 60%.
- Only one Shred is active at a time.
Note: A few champion abilities and items apply flat MR reduction, a small fixed value (e.g., −X MR per hit). Those follow different stacking rules than the percent Shred keyword, even when their tooltip text also reads 'Shred'.
Sources
Can a unit's Magic Resist go below zero, and does that amplify damage taken?
No, not in current TFT. Resistances are floored at 0.
Once Shred and other MR-reduction effects bring a unit to 0 MR, any further reduction is wasted. Incoming magic damage is then fully unmitigated, essentially true damage, but it isn't amplified. The reduction multiplier 100 / (100 + MR) tops out at 1.0×.
Note: This is a deliberate divergence from base League of Legends, where negative resistances can amplify damage. TFT patched the negative-resist edge cases out of champion kits years ago. The floor at 0 has held across every set since.
Sources
Does Magic Resist help against true damage or Burn ticks?
No. Magic Resist only reduces incoming magic damage, so true damage of any kind passes through it untouched.
Burn is a clear example. Its damage-over-time tick is dealt as true damage, based on a percentage of the target's maximum Health. So neither MR nor Armor mitigates it. MR also doesn't reduce physical damage.
Note: MR is purely a damage-reduction stat. A unit with stacked MR but a thin Health pool can still be melted by any source tagged true damage in its tooltip.
Sources
Does TFT have Magic Penetration like League of Legends?
No. TFT does not expose a 'Magic Penetration' stat the way League does.
There is no item, trait, or buff that grants flat or percent magic penetration as a holder-side stat. Instead, TFT reduces a target's effective Magic Resist through Shred, a debuff applied to the target. It comes most commonly via on-hit item effects, certain trait actives, and ability scripts.
Note: Damage amplifiers are clauses that increase outgoing damage by a percent. They are a separate mechanic and don't reduce MR. They stack alongside Shred rather than replacing it.
Sources

Description

What benefits from Magic Resist (4)

Frequently asked questions