Kindred's E mechanics are rather confusing and they build several critical strike items already. So we're updating the E to be much easier to understand and reducing the numbers. We're also modernizing the E's monster cap to allow for more damage when building AD and ranking up the ability.

We think Kindred can be an exciting niche jungle pick at MSI this year and they currently have enough room to receive a buff without harming regular play, so we're attempting to give them some more power specifically geared toward coordinated play by offering up more ult casts.

Kindred got hit quite hard when we nerfed Kraken Slayer a couple patches ago so now they’re in need of some love and attention. First, we’re reverting the recent Q attack speed nerf since their sustained damage is lower. Second, we’re increasing their ability to secure kills via Mounting Dread, especially since a decent portion of players think it might be worth maxing it second, though it currently isn’t. Even for those who still max W, this should still have a noticeable impact through the AD ratio and late game bases.

Kindred are performing quite well in higher skill brackets and are in need of a nerf; we're targeting their early combat power to ensure that as jungle carries Kindred don't have quite as much ability to win early skirmishes and invades.

Despite our best efforts, Kindred have maintained a relative stranglehold on high-level solo queue. This time we’re aiming at their gank power, which should be a win for their opponents all around. Additionally, with less “free” base damage in their kit we expect Kindred to build a bit more damage-focused (instead of largely tanky options like Sterak’s Gage).

Kindred have been a top tier jungler in high-skill brackets for a few patches now. Our nerfs from last patch, while overall reducing Kindred's strength, did not have enough of a skew in high MMR to hit our goals. In this patch we'll be nerfing both the base damage and cooldown of their Q which we expect to mostly impact Elite-level Kindred players due to their statistically higher Q cast frequency. Kindred’s most common and successful builds are pretty tanky right now with items like Trinity Force, Black Cleaver, Wit’s End, and even Sterak’s Gage. Trinity Force is a pretty logical inclusion in their build but we’ll be discussing whether or not they should need squishier builds to succeed in the future.

Kindred are elite-skewed junglers that are winning far too often in the top levels of ranked play. While Trinity Force is a strong item in their inventory, they've got other well-performing items such as Kraken Slayer, so we're targeting direct nerfs to Kindred themselves. We're specifically addressing their early invading and dueling potential. In the hands of less-comfortable Kindred players, the W passive healing is still strong and should soften the blow of these armor nerfs while clearing their own jungle.

Kindred are the third champion to receive AP ratio buffs in lieu of Rageblade’s changes. Lamb doesn’t tend to buy this item very often, but at least Wolf’s abilities will feel a bit more powerful.

Kindred is continuing to struggle in the jungle, so we’re giving them a stronger mid-game power spike.

Kindred could use a helping paw, so we're giving this duo a love tap by giving their abilities a little more uptime and a little more oomph.