You've finally snagged that golden, shimmering Spatula from the carousel. Maybe it was a lucky drop from a loot orb, or perhaps you intentionally lost a few rounds just to get first pick. Now it’s sitting on your bench, glowing, and you're staring at it thinking, "Wait, what does spatula make in TFT right now?" Honestly, it’s the most common "panic-google" in the middle of a match. With the release of Set 13, Into the Arcane, the recipes have shifted again. If you’re used to the old sets where a Spatula and a Sword made you a Blademaster, those days are long gone. Basically, the Spatula is your ticket to "vertical" synergies—those massive, game-breaking trait breakpoints like 10 Enforcer or 9 Conqueror.
But if you slam it on the wrong component, you might end up with a trait that doesn't fit your board at all. Let's break down exactly what you can cook up.
The Spatula Recipes for Set 13: Into the Arcane
In this set, the Spatula focuses on Origin traits. If you're looking for Class traits (like Mage or Scholar), you actually need the Golden Frying Pan, which was a huge mechanical change introduced recently. But for the Spatula, here is the current cheat sheet for your "Into the Arcane" adventures.
Spatula + B.F. Sword = Conqueror Emblem This is a big one. Conquerors get bonus AD and AP, but more importantly, they gain "Conquest" stacks after takedowns. Giving this to a high-damage unit like Urgot or even a late-game legendary can make them snowball out of control.
Spatula + Recurve Bow = Rebel Emblem Rebels gain health and damage. It’s a classic "shield and boom" trait. If you’re running a Zoe or Jinx carry, slapping a Rebel emblem on a secondary bruiser can help hit those higher breakpoints for a massive team-wide buff.
Spatula + Needlessly Large Rod = Sorcerer Emblem Pretty straightforward. You want more Ability Power? You want your units to blast through frontline? This is the one. It’s particularly funny on units that shouldn't be casters but have high-impact abilities.
Spatula + Tear of the Goddess = Visionary Emblem Visionaries gain mana every few seconds. This is the "infinite mana" dream. Putting this on a unit with a massive crowd-control ultimate (like Malzite or even a high-cost tank) means they’ll be casting way more often than Riot probably intended.
Spatula + Chain Vest = Enforcer Emblem Enforcers start the fight with shields and damage amplification. They also "arrest" targets. If you're going for the dream of 10 Enforcers, you absolutely must have at least one or two of these crafted.
Spatula + Negatron Cloak = Black Rose Emblem The Black Rose trait is all about summoning Sion. The more Black Rose units you have, the tankier and more terrifying Sion becomes. A Spatula here is essentially an investment in a giant, undead monster.
Spatula + Giant’s Belt = Experiment Emblem Experiments gain "Lab" bonuses based on where they are positioned on the board. This is one of the more "galaxy brain" traits this set. It’s great if you like micromanaging your unit placement for maximum stat gains.
Spatula + Sparring Gloves = Ambusher Emblem Ambushers can crit with their abilities and gain extra Crit Chance/Damage. If you have a carry that feels like they’re hitting like a wet noodle, making them an Ambusher is a quick way to see those big purple numbers.
The Golden Rule of the Double Spatula
What happens if you have two of them?
Spatula + Spatula = Tactician’s Crown
This is the ultimate prize. It doesn't give any stats to the unit holding it. It doesn't give you a trait. What it does do is increase your maximum team size by +1. It’s basically a free level-up. In a game where being level 9 vs. level 10 is the difference between winning and losing, the "Spat-Spat" combo is king.
Fun fact: In some recent patches, the Tactician’s Crown also has a small hidden perk where it gives you a tiny chance to drop gold after a fight. It’s not much, but hey, it’s free money.
Why You Shouldn't Always "Slam" Your Spatula
A lot of players get a Spatula and immediately combine it with the first item they see. Don't do that.
Wait.
Seriously, wait for your first or second Augment. If you get an Augment that gives you a +1 to Enforcer, then your Spatula suddenly becomes 10x more valuable because it puts you on the path to the "Prismatic" (max level) trait. 10 Enforcer is basically an auto-win. If you waste that Spatula early on a Sorcerer emblem but then never find more Sorcerers, you’ve essentially wasted a component.
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Spatula vs. Golden Frying Pan: Don't Get Confused
This is where people mess up. If you're looking for things like Mage, Scholar, or Bastion, a Spatula won't help you. Those are now tied to the Golden Frying Pan.
- Spatula = Origins (The "Lore" groups like Black Rose, Enforcer, Rebel).
- Frying Pan = Classes (The "Jobs" like Mage, Warrior, Preserver).
If you accidentally build a Tactician’s Crown using one Spatula and one Frying Pan, it still works the same way (+1 team size), but the recipes for individual emblems are strictly separated now. It’s a way to make sure the game doesn't have 20 different emblems all coming from one single golden item.
The Best Units to Give an Emblem To
Not all champions are created equal when it's time to change their identity. If you make a Conqueror Emblem, give it to someone who attacks fast. If you make a Visionary Emblem, give it to someone with a huge mana pool.
I’ve seen people put a Sorcerer emblem on a unit like Dr. Mundo. Is it "optimal"? Maybe not. Is it hilarious to see a giant purple man doing massive magic damage while healing? Absolutely. But if you’re trying to climb the ladder, stick to the basics: put offensive emblems on your carries and defensive/utility emblems on your frontline.
Common Misconceptions About the Spatula
I've heard people say that a Spatula gives "double stats" to the item it's combined with. That’s old news. It used to be true years ago, but now, the Spatula provides zero combat stats on its own. It’s a "blank" item.
The only reason you build it is for the trait bonus. If that trait bonus isn't helping you hit a new tier (like going from 2 Enforcers to 4 Enforcers), then the item is literally doing nothing for you.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Next Match
Next time you see a Spatula, follow this mental checklist:
- Check your current traits. Are you one unit away from a big power spike (like 6 or 8 of a trait)?
- Look at your components. Do you have the Sword, Bow, or Rod needed to make that specific emblem?
- Check the Frying Pan. Did you actually want a Class emblem? If so, don't take the Spatula at the carousel; wait for the Pan.
- Hold it if you're healthy. If you have 80+ HP, you can afford to sit on a Spatula until the Stage 4-2 Augment to see if a "Prismatic" trait becomes possible.
Basically, treat the Spatula like a "wildcard" in poker. It’s only as good as the hand you’re building around it. Don't let the "neuron activation" of seeing a gold item force you into a bad build.