Kindred and Shen Quick Guides (including BiS/Budget Relics)
Hi folks! After testing out both champions, I've come up with a quick guide for folks who'd like to try them out. This is just my opinion and by no means definitive! Edit: edited to reflect contribution of posters below.
TL;DR Version:
Kindred:
- BiS Kindred: Mark of the Kindred, Whirling Blade, and (Disciple of Shadows, Voidborne Carapace - T1 Kindred or undying Kindred)
- BiS Kindred (no paid relic): Price of Retribution, Disciple of Shadows, Voidborne Carapace
- Budget Kindred: Guardian Angel, Voidborne Carapace, Archangel's Staff (alt: Stalker's Blade x1 or 2)
- Why: Print multiple Kindreds with 'Spirit Journey.' DoS (Prey) + Manaflow = T1 Kindred
- Paid Relic? (Mark of the Kindred): Yes, if you really like Kindred. I haven't extensively tested, but it doesn't seem to be a Relic that many other champions can benefit from.
Shen:
- BiS Shen (6*): Kinkou Tradition, Starforged Gauntlets, Luminous Orb
- BiS Shen (not 6*, no paid relic): Death's Foil, Perfect Hexcore, Open Slot (Black Shield, the Beast Within, Found Fortune, Sentinel's Plate)
- Budget Shen: Archangel's Staff, Grand General's Counterplan (alt: Arcane Comet), Open Slot (Chemtech Duplicator, Guardian Angel, Troll King's Crown)
- Why: Play Shen early (SFG), keep him alive (Kinkou/Death's Foil), provide Utility (extra spells = more Moral Support)
- Paid Relic? (Kinkou Tradition): Very Yes. Great on Ambessa, Yuumi - anyone with easy access to Barrier. The 'refill 1 mana' is very potent. Top 10, possibly Top 5 relic.
Introduction:
I'm extremely pleased to report that Kindred's revamp and Shen's intro to Path of Champions, to me, feels very successful. Both Champions play the game in a way that others don't and their power level seems strong, but not broken (8/10 for both). Their Constellation spread out feels generous. If this is the future for PoC Champions, count me as excited.
Playstyle-wise, both Champions lean Controlling, being a little slow to start - with each Champ being a powerful Engine (a card that provides constant value, if you can keep it safe). Definitely worth investing in, if only for their 'must have' Bounty Stars.
Quick Kindred Guide:
Must Have Bonus Star:
- Celestial Bounty (+2 Vision and +1 Revive for Shadow Isles Champions)
Kindred likes:
- Stabilize (Power) / Shadow Totem (Item) to print more of herself. More Kindred = more blockers, more marks. 'Sharing is Caring' is powerful (esp. if you don't go Voidborne Carapace). Once you get the Bonus Star for Spirit Journey - Otherworldly Armaments allows you to stack up Rare items.
- Last Banner for ease of access to Rally (w/ Spirit Journey)
Kindred dislikes:
- 6* Power dislikes anything that gives +X/+X to Prey (ruins the Strike effect)
Other Alt Relics:
- Starforged Gauntlet + any 2 of (Price of Retribution, Spectral Scissors, Hand of Noxus, Champion's Purse, Deadly Harpoon, Caulfield's Warhammer)
- Mark of the Kindred + Whirling Blade
- Echoing Spirit instead of Disciple of Shadows in Bis builds (multiple copies = stacking discount)
- Black Shield or any other access to Spellshield for Kindred
Bug?
- I don't believe I've ever drawn 'Tortured Prodigy' - I didn't notice at first since this is my 'go to' first removal, but the last two runs I've done with her I didn't remove it and don't believe I've drawn this card once. Could be chance, but seems weird.
Misc: Kindred's 6* isn't necessary for her strength, she's strong all around.
Quick Shen Guide:
Must Have Bonus Star:
- Celestial Bounty (+2 Vision and +10 Nexus Health for Ionian Champions)
Shen likes:
- Consistent, free spells (to get more copies of Moral Support). Ex: Perfect Hexcore, Arcane Comet, Grand General's Counterplan
- Spell Mana. Shen is very mana hungry, especially with his 6*.
- Drafting Removal - he has no inherent access to block Elusives (Luminous Orb pulls double duty if you don't have Kinkou Tradition) and his combat tricks are pretty 'fair'
- Access to Elusive or Overwhelm. Swole Squirrel is surprisingly potent in his deck since, both for Overwhelm and as a great target for his 4* (Striking Lessons) and 6* (Shadow Dash), once you get it.
Other Alt Relics:
- Chemtech Duplicator (lots and lots of Barriers, especially with GGC)
- Renewing Power (if going with GGC/Arcane Comet)
- Guardian Angel + Voidborne Carapace (immortality cheat)
- Searing Brilliance (Ki Guardian and Syncopation are both fun, potent spells)
Misc: Shen is more straight forward than Kindred and most other Champions and thus has less options. Syncopation is a very fun spell to have access to and his 6* transforms the way he plays - you can get a lot done with Shadow Dash. Just remember to Moral Support before Dash, so you'll get another copy of it after.
Final Notes: I can't say enough how pleased I am with both of these Champions and the new team. I'm really hopeful for PoC's future.
Happy gaming!