Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest, is a yordle known for his lightning-quick reflexes and mastery of electricity. Hailing from Bandle City, Kennen was trained by the Kinkou Order, an ancient organization that seeks to maintain global balance. Despite his small stature, Kennen possesses immense energy, which he channels through his body to unleash devastating lightning strikes upon his enemies. When you embark on your journey, mmowow can lend a helping hand when you need help.
In-Game Role and Skills:
In League of Legends, Kennen is primarily played as a mage in the mid or top lane, though he can also be a support. His kit revolves around dealing area of effect magic damage and crowd control.
Abilities:
- Thundering Shuriken (Q): Kennen throws a shuriken in a straight line, damaging and marking the first enemy hit. If Kennen hits an enemy three times with his abilities or basic attacks, they become stunned.
- Electrical Surge (W): Passively, Kennen's basic attacks add a mark to his target. Actively, Kennen surges electricity through all nearby enemies who have marks, dealing damage.
- Lightning Rush (E): Kennen transforms into a ball of electricity, gaining movement speed and resistance to damage. Enemies he passes through take magic damage.
- Slicing Maelstrom (R): Kennen summons a storm around himself, dealing damage to all nearby enemies. He gains a Mark of the Storm for each enemy champion hit. If Kennen has three Marks of the Storm on an enemy, they are stunned.
Gameplay and Skill Order:
Kennen's playstyle involves harassing enemies with Thundering Shuriken, stunning them with Electrical Surge, and engaging or escaping with Lightning Rush. Maxing Thundering Shuriken (Q) first for poke damage is common, followed by maxing Electrical Surge (W) for wave clear and stun potential, then Lightning Rush (E).
Runes:
- Domination: Electrocute for burst damage, Cheap Shot for extra damage against impaired enemies, Eyeball Collection for snowball potential, Ravenous Hunter for sustain.
- Sorcery: Nimbus Cloak for additional movement speed on summoner spell usage, Absolute Focus for increased damage when healthy.
Item Build:
- Hextech Rocketbelt: Provides mobility and burst damage, enhancing Kennen's engagement potential.
- Sorcerer's Shoes: Grants magic penetration to increase damage output.
- Zhonya's Hourglass: Offers both armor and ability power, along with its active ability, which allows Kennen to go invulnerable, crucial for surviving team fights.
- Morellonomicon: Provides magic penetration, ability power, and Grievous Wounds, reducing enemy healing.
- Void Staff: Offers substantial magic penetration for dealing with tanker opponents.
- Rabadon's Deathcap: Amplifies Kennen's ability power, significantly increasing his damage output.
Game Phases:
Early Game: Focus on farming and harassing with Thundering Shuriken. Look for opportunities to trade with your opponent using your stun combo (mark with Q, then follow up with W). Use Lightning Rush to escape ganks or set up all-ins.
Mid Game: Start roaming to other lanes to help secure objectives or pick up kills with your ultimate. Kennen's team fighting is strong at this stage, as he can quickly burst down enemies with his AoE damage.
Late Game: In team fights, position yourself carefully to hit as many enemies as possible with your ultimate. Use Zhonya's Hourglass to avoid being focused down while your team follows up. Kennen's AoE damage and crowd control can turn the tide of team fights.
Combo and Tactics:
Standard Combo: Q-W-E-R (mark with Q, activate W for stun, use E to engage, then unleash ultimate).
Teamfighting: Use Lightning Rush to position yourself in the middle of the enemy team, then activate Slicing Maelstrom for maximum AoE damage. Zhonya's Hourglass to survive focus fire, then continue to output damage.
Recommended Team Compositions:
Engage Composition: Pair Kennen with champions like Malphite, Amumu, or Leona who can initiate fights, allowing Kennen to follow up with his ultimate for devastating AoE damage.
Protect the ADC Composition: Combine Kennen with supportive champions like Lulu, Janna, or Thresh to keep the ADC safe while Kennen zones or engages enemies.
Split-push Composition: Kennen can split-push effectively with champions like Shen or Twisted Fate, utilizing his wave clear and escape abilities to pressure side lanes while his team takes objectives elsewhere.
Kennen's versatility makes him a strong pick in many team compositions, and mastering his lightning-based abilities can electrify the battlefield in any game.
