Uncover the secrets behind Graves Factory New – the most versatile 5-cost unit in TFT Set 17. With his unique permanent upgrade system, Graves can transform into a relentless Bruiser or a devastating Marksman depending on your chosen skill tree. This guide provides a detailed roadmap for the optimal Assault, Power, and Marksman Frame paths to help you dominate every match.
Graves Factory New: How the Upgrade System Works
Factory New
After participating in combat, open an armory to purchase a permanent upgrade for your strongest Graves.
Every 3 upgrades, future upgrades will take an additional round.
Factory New (Graves): Upgrade skill trees
Note: Make sure to keep this Guide open to follow along in-game and so you can Choose the right upgrades and get yourself some LP!
Assault Frame Upgrades
The Assault Frame uniquely evolves Graves into a frontline Attack Fighter, trading attack range for massive bonus HP, Omnivamp, and AD.
 | Assault Frame | Become an Attack Fighter with -2 Range. Gain 500 Base Health, 15% Omnivamp, And 35% AD |
With this setup, prioritize a sustain build with Bloodthirster, Titan’s Resolve, and Sterak’s Gage to maximize Graves’ tankiness and consistent damage output.
- Leeching Implants (+)
- Buckshot (+/++)
- Laser Ballistics
- Meltthrough
- Grav Booster (+)
- Emergency Shielding (+)
- Heavy Plating
- Shockwave
- Sheer Mass
- Nano-machines
- Reactive Armor
Power Frame Upgrades
The Power Frame makes Graves gain Precision, enabling his abilities to crit while significantly boosting his damage. This transforms him into a premier backline carry capable of unleashing massive burst
 | Power Frame | Gain Precision and increase Ability damage by 15%. |
With this setup, focus on AD and Crit items. You can skip Infinity Edge since the Precision trait already enables ability crits. We recommend Quicksilver, Hand of Justice, and Striker’s Flail for maximum efficiency.
- Heartseeker (+/++)
- Tankbuster
Blast Radius (+/++)
- +1/2/3-hex secondary blast radius, dealing 50/30/30% less for each additional hex.
Sympathetic Detonation
- A second 1-hex radius blast occurs on the nearest enemy, dealing 30% damage.
Latent Explosion
- Enemies store 15% of damage taken from Graves, released on death in a 2-hex radius.
AP Rounds (+)
Attacks and Abilities ignore 30/60% of enemy Armor.
Coolant (+)
- Mana Cost reduced by 10/20.
Void Coefficient
- Each cast reduces Mana Cost by 15% (to a minimum of 10).
Fission (+/++)
- +2/3/5 Mana and 10/20/30% AD
Marksman Frame Upgrades
The Marksman Frame grants Graves a 20% chance to attack twice, drastically scaling his total DPS. As the most damage-centric skill tree, it is the premier choice for players looking to slot Graves as their primary hyper-carry.
 | Marksman Frame | 20% chance to attack twice. |
With this setup, prioritize a triple-damage itemization. Guinsoo’s Rageblade is exceptional here, as its ramping attack speed synergizes perfectly with the double-attack proc. Combine it with Giant Slayer and Deathblade to maximize his raw physical output.
Precision Scope (+/++)
- +1/2/3 Attack Range & 10/20/30% AD
Aim-Assistant
- Deal 5% bonus damage per hex distance from the target.
Double Tap
- 30% chance to attack twice.
Triple Tap
- 18% chance to attack thrice.
Rev-Up (+)
- Gain 8/15% Attack Damage (AD) for each attack against the same target, up to 80/150%.
Ripper Bullets (+)
- Attacks reduce enemy Armor/Magic Resist by 1/2.
Fragmentation Rounds (+)
- Attacks send 2/3 fragments to nearby enemies on hit that deal 15/20% damage.