Kindred Review
Released on October 14, 2015, Kindred is a remarkable champion in the League of Legends universe. Belonging to the Marksman class and most commonly found prowling the Jungle, Kindred offers a unique gameplay experience. But why am I excited to review this champion? Because, well, Kindred is just plain cool. Whether or not she’s considered meta, in the right hands and with the right build, she can dominate, paving your way to that coveted Diamond+ rank.
Lore
Separate but never parted, Kindred represents the twin essences of death. Lamb’s bow offers a swift release from the mortal realm for those who accept their fate, while Wolf hunts down those who run from their end, delivering a violent finality within his crushing jaws. Kindred was once a single being, isolated due to their nature as a god of death, but loneliness led them to take an axe and split into two beings, Lamb and Wolf, deeply attached to each other.
Champion Abilities
- Passive – Mark of the Kindred: Kindred can mark targets to Hunt, and successfully completing a Hunt permanently empowers Kindred’s basic abilities. Every four hunts completed also increase Kindred’s basic attack range.
- Q – Dance of Arrows: Kindred tumbles and shoots up to three arrows at nearby targets.
- W – Wolf’s Frenzy: Wolf enrages and attacks enemies around him, while Lamb passively gains stacks by moving and attacking. When fully charged, Lamb’s next attack restores health.
- E – Mounting Dread: Lamb fires a carefully placed shot, slowing the target. If Lamb attacks the target two more times, her third attack directs Wolf to pounce on the enemy, causing massive damage.
- R – Lamb’s Respite: Lamb grants all living things inside a zone a respite from death, preventing any deaths until the effect ends. At the end, units are healed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Kindred
PROS
- Mobile
- Ranged
- High burst potential
- High damage output
- Can jump over walls
- Can sneak dragons
CONS
- Squishy
- Very weak if behind
- Coin Flip Ult
- Hard to learn
- Low AA range pre-4 Marks
- Mark system doesn’t feel rewarding
Best Items for Kindred
Now, let’s talk about the gear that brings Kindred to life on the battlefield. Mercury’s Treads are your best option, offering tenacity that reduces the time you spend under crowd control, letting you deal more damage and survive longer. If you’re not facing much crowd control or AD damage, consider Berserker’s Greaves. However, if the enemy team leans heavily on AD, then opt for Plated Steelcaps to bolster your defenses.
Kraken Slayer should always be your first Mythic Item. It maximizes your damage and dueling potential, offering plenty of Attack Damage and Attack Speed, making jungling, invading, and ganking a breeze. Avoid Immortal Shieldbow; it pales in comparison to Kraken Slayer’s benefits.
The Collector should be your second choice, significantly boosting your damage and enabling you to burst down enemies with each gank. If the enemy team is tanky, like a tank top, jungler, and support, go for Blade of the Ruined King. But if they’re especially tanky, Lord Dominik’s Regards is a better choice.
With Blade of the Ruined King, you can already 1v1 almost anyone, and it synergizes perfectly with Kraken Slayer and Black Cleaver. The life steal, attack damage, and attack speed it provides are essential, while its passive effect adds extra magic damage and movement speed to help you kite your enemies.
Best Lanes and Roles for Kindred
Kindred excels in the jungle, but don’t overlook their potential in lanes, especially mid. As a marksman, Kindred can outshine mages in the mid lane, taking advantage of their early-game strength.
Champion Picks and Counter Picks
Kindred tends to shine in the jungle against champions like Bel’Veth and Talon. However, they struggle against Rammus and Ivern, so it’s best to avoid those matchups.
Price of Kindred in 2023
In 2023, you can get your hands on Kindred for 4800 Blue Essence or 880 Riot Points.
My Feedback
Kindred is a formidable champion, especially in the early game. Their ganking potential can turn the tide of a match, and abilities like Wolf’s Frenzy and Dance of Arrows make bursting down enemies a breeze. Kindred’s ability to kite and escape is also remarkable, and they can even fill in as an ADC when needed.
Best Guide for Kindred in 2023
For a comprehensive guide on mastering Kindred in 2023, I recommend checking out this informative resource:Kindred ADC Guide.
Best Skins for Kindred
- Super Galaxy Kindred: While it offers new visuals and animations with a mecha theme, some players still prefer the default skin.
- Shadowfire Kindred: Though it adds new in-game elements, it may not provide enough value for its price.
- Porcelain Kindred: This skin boasts great visuals and effects, but it has an issue with an overly extended neck in the in-game model.
- Spirit Blossom Kindred: Considered the best skin, it features fitting aesthetics, a well-designed model, and stunning sakura-themed effects, making it a favorite among Kindred mains.
Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts
- Mark of the Kindred infinitely stacks several bonuses, including attack speed, magic damage, and physical damage.
- Kindred is unique as the first champion without an icon derived from their artwork and the first champion celebrated with summoner icons.
- Kindred’s dance pays homage to the ‘Cups’ tap dance performed by Christopher Rice.
- Don’t tunnel vision on marks; it’s not worth putting yourself in risky situations to collect them.
- Kindred excels at soloing objectives; ensure you have priority in nearby lanes before attempting to take them alone.
- Using Lamb’s Respite preemptively is often better than waiting until the last moment.
FAQ
Who is Kindred in League of Legends and what are their abilities?
Kindred is a champion in League of Legends representing the twin essences of death, Lamb and Wolf. Their abilities include Dance of Arrows, Wolf’s Frenzy, Mounting Dread, and Lamb’s Respite.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing Kindred in the game?
Kindred has advantages like high damage output and mobility but is also squishy and challenging to play if behind. Their ultimate ability, Lamb’s Respite, is sometimes referred to as a “coin flip” because it can affect both teams.
What are the recommended items for Kindred in 2023?
Recommended items for Kindred include Mercury’s Treads or Plated Steelcaps for boots, Kraken Slayer as the first Mythic Item, The Collector as the second choice, and Blade of the Ruined King for dueling and synergy with other items.
Where is Kindred best suited to play in the game, and which lanes are they effective in?
Kindred excels in the jungle but can also be played in the mid lane. Their role as a marksman makes them strong in the mid lane, capitalizing on their early-game strength.
What are the best skins for Kindred and any unique tips for playing them effectively?
Some of the best Kindred skins include Spirit Blossom Kindred, and an important tip is not to tunnel vision on collecting marks, as it may put you in risky situations. Additionally, using Lamb’s Respite proactively is often better than waiting until the last moment.