Kindred LoL Guide: Best Build, Runes, Counters, Tips and Lore

In the moonlit realm of League of Legends, one champion roams with untamed prowess and divine purpose. Meet Kindred, a formidable force ready to unleash its potent skills on the battlefield. With character that exudes strength and determination, Kindred embodies the very essence of power and ferocity.

In this article, we delve deep into the world of Kindred, exploring the prowess and skills that make this champion a force to be reckoned with. From their uncanny ability to mark enemy champions with their Lamb's Respite ultimate, granting temporary invulnerability to allies within its embrace, to their swift and merciless Wolf's Frenzy, Kindred is a force that commands respect.

Kindred: Lore and Backstory

Separate, yet eternally intertwined, Kindred embodies the dual aspects of death. Lamb's bow provides a quick liberation from the earthly domain for those embracing their destiny, while Wolf relentlessly pursues those evading their inevitable end, ensuring a brutal conclusion with his powerful jaws. Despite differing perceptions of Kindred's essence throughout Runeterra, each mortal ultimately confronts the genuine visage of their own mortality.

Kindred: Abilities Breakdown

Mark of the Kindred (Passive)

Lamb gains bonus range on her basic attacks and Mounting Dread from stacking marks. Both Lamb and Wolf have the ability to 'mark' targets. 

Lamb can select an enemy champion to hunt. Scoring a takedown against a 'marked' target collects a stack of Mark of the Kindred. A new champion can be selected every 75 seconds. Targets successfully hunted cannot be marked again for a duration.

Wolf, meanwhile, automatically marks a random large monster within the enemy team's jungle for a duration. Clearing the 'marked' camp grants a stack to Kindred. The monster type that Wolf will mark evolves as the stack counter of Mark of the Kindred increases.

• 0: Rift Scuttler
• 1-3: Rift Scuttler, Crimson Raptor, Gromp
• 4-7: Ancient Krug, Blue Sentinel, Greater Murk Wolf, Red Brambleback
• 8+: Rift Herald, Baron Nashor, Dragon, Elder Dragon

Dance of Arrows

Lamb dashes in a direction, gaining bonus attack speed for a duration and firing an arrow at up to 3 nearby targets. This is Lamb's primary gap closer and terrain navigator. The cooldown for Dance of Arrows can be reduced by being in the area of Wolf's Frenzy. Dance of Arrows also resets Lamb's basic attack timer and Lamb can cast abilities during the dash animation.

Wolf's Frenzy

Includes a passive and an active. Passively, Lamb generates stacks of Hunter's Vigor for travelling and attacking. At maximum stacks (100), her next basic attack heals her for a portion of her missing health.

Casting Wolf's Frenzy 'claims' a target area as Wolf's 'territory', separating from Lamb for the duration. Wolf automatically attacks the closest enemy within the area, prioritizing the last enemy Lamb attacked. 

Mounting Dread

Mounting Dread has Lamb fire a shot that slows the target enemy and marks them for a duration. Lamb's basic attacks against the marked target applies a stack. At 3 stacks, Wolf pounces on the target to consume all stacks for bonus damage.

Lamb's Respite (Ultimate)

The ground beneath Lamb becomes marked as 'Blessed'. All units within this zone gain a minimum health threshold and cannot die for the duration of Lamb's Respite. When Lamb's Respite ends, all units within the zone are healed for a portion.

Kindred: Role and Game Plan

Kindred fulfills the role of a marksman jungler, excelling at dealing sustained damage while roaming the jungle. Their unique playstyle and abilities make them a valuable asset to any team composition.

In team fights, Kindred's damage output can be devastating. Their range allows them to stay safely in the backline, dealing consistent damage to enemy champions.

Additionally, Lamb's Respite can provide a crucial lifeline for your team, giving them a chance to turn the tables and secure victories in seemingly dire situations.

When it comes to team composition, Kindred meshes well with champions who can engage and create opportunities for them to deal damage. Tanks and crowd control-heavy champions can help protect Kindred while they dish out damage from a safe distance.

Early Game

In the early game, Kindred's primary goal is to secure marks and establish a lead. Marks are essential for Kindred, as they increase their attack range and provide additional damage on their third attack against marked targets.

To effectively collect marks from enemy champions, you should prioritize ganking lanes where the enemy is overextended or low on health. Coordinate with your laners to set up successful ganks and secure kills. Additionally, keep an eye on the enemy jungle and plan your pathing around the Wolf mark.

Efficient jungle pathing is also crucial for Kindred's early game success. Plan your routes to optimize mark acquisition and farming efficiency. Kindred's gameplay in the early game rewards toeing the line between aggressive invades, denying resources while stacking up Mark of the Kindred.

Mid Game

As the game progresses into the mid game, Kindred's power continues to grow. During this phase, it's essential to maintain map control and secure objectives such as dragons and Rift Herald.

Kindred's mobility allows them to move swiftly across the map, making them an ideal champion for contesting objectives. Coordinate with your team to secure vision control around important areas and set up plays to secure objectives.

Lamb's Respite is Kindred's game changer in team fights. Using it at the right moment can turn the tide of team fights and secure crucial objectives.

Late Game

In the late game, Kindred's damage potential reaches its peak. With a fully stacked passive and a well-rounded item build, you become a force to be reckoned with.

During this phase, focus on team fights and objective control. Position yourself carefully and unleash a barrage of damage on priority targets. Utilize your mobility to reposition and avoid threats, ensuring your sustained damage output remains consistent.

However, it's important to remember that Kindred is still relatively squishy, so positioning and decision-making are crucial. Be mindful of enemy crowd control abilities and make calculated plays to maximize your impact in team fights.

Strategies for Ganking with Kindred

Ganking as Kindred requires careful planning and execution. Look for opportunities to gank lanes where your allies have crowd control abilities or where the enemy laner is overextended. Coordinate with your teammates to ensure a successful gank.

When approaching a gank, activate Dance of Arrows to quickly close the gap and engage the enemy. Mark a key target with Mark of the Kindred before the fight begins to gain a stack on takedown, advancing Kindred's attack range. 

Utilize your E ability, Mounting Dread, to burst down the enemy laner, especially if they are low on health. The bonus damage based on missing health can catch enemies off guard and secure kills.

Remember to communicate with your team and coordinate your ganks with your ultimate ability, Lamb's Respite. This ability can be a game-changer in ganking situations, allowing you and your teammates to dive under towers or survive dangerous skirmishes.

Countering Enemy Champions with Kindred

As Kindred Wolf, it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your enemy champions. Take advantage of your passive ability, Mark of the Kindred, to scale as a ranged threat. Mark high-priority targets such as enemy carries or champions with low mobility to maximize your effectiveness.

Against champions with high burst damage, utilize Dance of Arrows to quickly reposition and avoid their abilities. This will allow you to survive their initial burst and retaliate with your own damage.

When facing champions with high sustain or crowd control abilities, use your E ability, Mounting Dread, to burst them down and prevent them from healing or controlling the fight. The bonus damage based on missing health can be particularly effective against tanky champions.

Kindred: Runes and Items Guide

Press the Attack suits Kindred's oppressive playstyle well. It allows Lamb to trade unevenly, utilizing her range advantage to press for a lead when invading or ganking. Alacrity and Sudden Impact are incredibly potent sub runes, allowing Kindred to run down 'marked' targets. 

Kraken Slayer is the current popular first item, giving Kindred plenty of the stats they love for early skirmishes. This is followed by The Collector and Lord Dominik's Regards. Fourth is typically Infinity Edge if more oomph is needed. Otherwise, Rapid Firecannon extends Kindred's already impressive attack range. As always, this serves as a general guide not a strict list. 

Kindred Counters

Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Kindred's Potential

To truly master Kindred, here are some additional tips and tricks to keep in mind:

1. Use your passive marks strategically: Prioritize marking enemy champions who are vulnerable or frequently engaged in skirmishes.
2. Coordinate with your team: Communication is key when playing Kindred. Coordinate ganks, invades, and team fights to maximize your effectiveness.
3. Time your ultimate wisely: Lamb's Respite can turn the tide of team fights, but mistiming it can have disastrous consequences. Practice using it at the right moment to save yourself and your teammates.
4. Be aware of the enemy's crowd control: Kindred is highly vulnerable to crowd control abilities. Position yourself carefully, and be ready to use your mobility to dodge incoming threats.

By implementing these tips and tricks into your gameplay, you'll be able to maximize Kindred's potential and dominate on Summoner's Rift.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Kindred

In conclusion, Kindred is a champion that embodies power, ferocity, and divine purpose. Their unique abilities and strategic playstyle make them a potent force to be reckoned with in League of Legends.

Whether you're a seasoned summoner or a newcomer to the game, exploring the world of Kindred will unveil a realm of untamed power and strategic prowess. Mastering their abilities, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and building the perfect item set will allow you to fully unleash the beast within.

So embrace the hunt, summoner, and witness the unleashed power of League of Legends' Kindred. May you conquer your enemies and secure victory on the battlefield with the strength and determination of this legendary champion.

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Featured Image Credit: Riot Games