New Champion Q&A: Kindred, the Eternal Hunters

RiotA Small Man·Sep 29, 2015·87 votes·382,652 views

Hey guys,

We've gathered a bunch of Rioters from the Kindred team for some Q&A about the Eternal Hunters! Whether you're interested in Kindred's gameplay, story, or art, ask away and we'll be happy to answer!

Check out these links if you need to get up to speed:

They Are Coming: Listen to their tale.

Champion Reveal: Kindred, the Eternal Hunters: Check out Kindred's reveal.

Champion Insights: Kindred, the Eternal Hunters: The story behind Kindred’s creation.

A Good Death: All audiences loved a good death, and they loved Magga’s more than any other.

2,232 Comments

RrryanSep 29, 201590 votes

Does Kindred prefer creamy, or crunchy peanut butter?

RiotWrekzzzSep 29, 2015212 votes

Lamb likes creamy, Wolf prefers crunchy. An eternal conflict.

RiitSep 29, 201542 votes

Who wrote "A Good Death"? I found it so serene and beautiful. If it has a book, I'd totally take a look.

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 2015109 votes

{quoted}

Who wrote "A Good Death"? I found it so serene and beautiful. If it has a book, I'd totally take a look.

I did! With the support of the wonderful edits by Jaredan and Family Jules. Thank you so much for saying this :)

EnerjackSep 29, 201536 votes

In the Kindred splash art, they are hovering over a body. Is that the Ruined King?

Leftover TakeoutSep 29, 201529 votes

Can Kindred's masks be removed?

Sorry if this is somewhat of a dumb question. :D

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201582 votes

Yes, they can. But you don't want that to happen. Ever.

Big BeverageSep 29, 201551 votes

Okay, now I'm curious. What will happen if the masks are removed?

SeductiveGrandpaSep 29, 201536 votes

Probably: http://media1.giphy.com/media/12KiGLydHEdak8/giphy.gif

behobartSep 29, 201517 votes

Is there any lore between Kindred and Karthus?

Also with lore, is there any plans for making a cinematic version of the 'A Good Death' in the near future?

Thanks! ~

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201572 votes

Kindred and Karthus's relationship will be looked at to some extent in Karthus's upcoming new extended character introduction. Expect it in the next month or so.

In my mind (and that's a scary place), Karthus actively rips people away from the fate that should be Kindred. His actions are an abomination to them. You'll get more about Lamb and Wolf's view on undeath and the Shadow Isles in their extended intro—which should be released later today.

There are no current plans for a cinematic version of A Good Death at the moment.

Malicious MetalSep 29, 201524 votes

On the topic of undeath and Kindred; What's their view on Mordekaiser who basically bends the very essence of life and death to do his bidding? Also, do they know what lies beneath the shell of metal and if he's the one responsible for the current state of the shadow isles?

PykelSep 29, 201516 votes

Im going to ask the real and only important question... will there be a patch tomorrow? and if so will kindred be in that patch? or will we have to wait 4ever? :(

RiotWrekzzzSep 29, 201522 votes

[{quoted}](name=God Squad Mike,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=H8socwE1,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2015-09-29T18:09:55.269+0000)

Im going to ask the real and only important question... will there be a patch tomorrow? and if so will kindred be in that patch? or will we have to wait 4ever? :(

Kindred will be in that patch but will not be turned on initially. They will be enabled later during the patch.

King BriggsSep 29, 201513 votes

item 3070 You've shattered my hopes and dreams :(

Narcos CosinusSep 29, 201515 votes

Are they "evil" or can they be classified as positive?

Riot StellariSep 29, 201552 votes

They definitely not evil. But they're not positive/negative either. They're a force of nature. Kind of like a tornado isn't inherently good/evil.

RevenantBaconSep 29, 201527 votes

[{quoted}](name=Riot Stellari,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=H8socwE1,comment-id=003d0000,timestamp=2015-09-29T18:28:49.516+0000)

They definitely not evil. But they're not positive/negative either. They're a force of nature. Kind of like a tornado isn't inherently good/evil.

Lol, skimmed that response, and misread comparison of Kindred to a tornado as comparison to a tomato. Need to get my eyes checked item 3348 item 3187

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201592 votes

{quoted}

Lol, skimmed that response, and misread comparison of Kindred to a tornado as comparison to a tomato. Need to get my eyes checked

Skin plz. Force of Tomato.

KensueSep 29, 201515 votes

[deleted]

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201521 votes

{quoted}

WILL YOU ADDRESS THIS ALREADY? http://imgur.com/gallery/8hONl

Did the design council see this before creating Kindred? Was it their inspiration? Is this a coincidence? The artist has no idea and they have declared that they have an issue with it.

I'm not trying to 'expose a fraud' or anything, but this seriously is just too similar. I love the champion, especially Lamb's voice-over, but this **needs **clarification - especially since Kindred is just such a different champion from the rest of the League.

Hi Zaphinine,

We were not aware of Chiara Bautista's beautiful work until after we had already developed and locked in on Kindred's core thematics, and then finalized the artistic representation of them.

Of course, we see the similarities in design between Kindred and the work you reference, but it is purely a case of playing in a similar thematic pool (Yin/Yang, Dark/Light, Predator/Prey, Savage/Serene) and separately coming to some similar cosmetic representations.

Though we think Chiara Bautista's work is wonderful, we were not inspired by it while we were bringing Kindred to life.

We are very careful about the integrity of our development process (for example, it's one of the reasons I unfortunately can't read fan fiction), as we never want to impinge on the creative work of others.

Thank you for the question.

Nyarai ZuriSep 29, 201514 votes

What are Kindred's thoughts about resurrection? They dont seem to like the undead of the Shadow Isles, but what about Azir Azir ? Considering that he has died once before, do the Kindred remember meeting him at his end (if they were there that is)?

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201540 votes

They think it's a bad idea. Also, you are guaranteed that Wolf will be coming for you at the end of your newly borrowed time.

Kindred remembers the end of every being.

Master StacheSep 29, 201547 votes

I'd love to see Azir get a Joke for an enemy Kindred where he inconspicuously whistles. Would match the visuals of his joke too, like he's pretending to be a bird to hide from them. Though I'm sure they'd see right through the charade.

SolideusSep 29, 201512 votes

What makes Kindred interact directly with someones death as opposed to someone dying from natural causes?

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201529 votes

{quoted}

What makes Kindred interact directly with someones death as opposed to someone dying from natural causes?

Everyone that dies has a direct interaction with Kindred. Some get to mee them earlier, others only at the moment of death.

beanySep 29, 20159 votes

So they are omnipresent? since more than one person can die anywhere in the world?

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201538 votes

{quoted}

So they are omnipresent? since more than one person can die anywhere in the world?

Great question! Without neglecting other questions, yes. Kindred as entity do not follow normal rules that apply to us beings of space and time.

FasmodeySep 29, 20153 votes

{quoted}

Great question! Without neglecting other questions, yes. Kindred as entity do not follow normal rules that apply to us beings of space and time.

Are they omnipotent too?

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201521 votes

{quoted}

Are they omnipotent too?

Doubtful, but they certainly know a lot about more than they let on.

DaBoxeeGuySep 29, 201512 votes

Is Kindred Helmet Bro in disguise? Trundle

Riot StellariSep 29, 201542 votes

Perhaps Helmet Bro is more powerful than we ever imagined.

Drath HeizenSep 29, 201511 votes

So there is alot of interest in Kindred's combined view of the shadow isles and the ilk that calls it home, and there has also been alot of questions revolving around the other "mythical/legend" characters, but what of the celestial Soraka ? Could there be some who have escaped Wolf's bite by seeking the protection of Soraka, or even Soraka turning away aid due to Kindred's claim?

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201536 votes

[{quoted}](name=Drath Heizen,realm=NA,application-id=cIfEodbz,discussion-id=H8socwE1,comment-id=0098,timestamp=2015-09-29T18:50:28.962+0000)

So there is alot of interest in Kindred's combined view of the shadow isles and the ilk that calls it home, and there has also been alot of questions revolving around the other "mythical/legend" characters, but what of the celestial ? Could there be some who have escaped Wolf's bite by seeking the protection of Soraka, or even Soraka turning away aid due to Kindred's claim?

It's important to note that any true "escapes" from Kindred are essentially more like pauses. Death comes for all things.

CABDOU15Sep 29, 201511 votes

Do you think Kindred will be good friends with Amumu ? Amumu

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201559 votes

{quoted}

Do you think Kindred will be good friends with Amumu ?

No. They understand his loneliness though.

Moral SupportSep 29, 201510 votes

Who's the dead king in Kindred's splash? Any backstory on him and why/how he died?

Riot StellariSep 29, 201550 votes

It's a noble. It is not the Ruined King. ;)

A Miss FortuneSep 29, 201527 votes

The Ruined King tease is real

CerberagonSep 30, 20152 votes

Is it by any chance the world-renounced helmet bro?

Riot StellariSep 30, 201523 votes

Helmet bro is a helmet bro, this is clearly a crown bro.

SolideusSep 29, 20159 votes

Roughly when and where does A Good Death take place? Excellent story!

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201544 votes

Thanks! Faux and the team did a great job. A Good Death is set in Demacia, pre-Jarvan III.

Crimson RaptorSep 29, 20158 votes

What are some skill removals / major changes that happened during Kindred's development?

RiotWrekzzzSep 29, 201531 votes

{quoted}

What are some skill removals / major changes that happened during Kindred's development?

The first iteration of the ultimate the ring was semi-global. It would affect everyone anywhere near a teamfight. Over time it shrunk down to isolate the good gameplay.

UltimateMazter0Sep 29, 20158 votes

When do they come out?

Riot StellariSep 29, 201542 votes

Next week, hopefully! =)

1Ferdinand1Sep 29, 20154 votes

There will be a draw in the extended Lore about pre-split Kindred? Or sometimes in the future?

RiotFauxSchizzleSep 29, 201525 votes

{quoted}

There will be a draw in the extended Lore about pre-split Kindred? Or sometimes in the future?

Probably not. The story of the Pale Man is not intended to be literal, but a coded origin story, one most likely made up by people, and therefore it grasps certain truths but fails in the details.

RiotRiotJaredanSep 29, 201522 votes

Pre-split Kindred is a myth that has become widespread across Runeterra, though the myth will be present among its people, we're not planning on telling a specific story about what Kindred was before they were Kindred—as that is what they have always been.