What About Kennen?

N Jenkins·7/30/2018, 8:13:35 PM·8 votes·9,037 views

We just got updated Backstories for Shen, Zed and Akali, which i have to admit, i do find good. However, one thing that did touch a nerve is that Kennen Was left out all together! He is not even mentioned in Shen's story, even though both Akali And Zed are! He is just as important as Akali to the Kinkou order! You could have at LEAST mentioned his name.

I do get the feeling Kennen was not included because he is also due for a rework, but he could have been mentioned at least...unless they are planning to retcon him from the order, in which case i will be REALLY mad, cuz he definitely belongs there.

28 Comments

RiotRiot Scathlocke7/31/2018, 7:09:31 AM5 votes

Ummm... Kennen is literally mentioned by name in the Akali lore...?

He is very much still in the Kinkou Order. He's one of the top three-- Well, two now.

[slayer-jinx-wink]

Ebonmaw Dragon7/30/2018, 8:17:43 PM5 votes

Riot has been avoiding yordles for a long time, almost none of them are mentioned in the lore... Unless the yordle its a new champion (Kled), or recieved a VU (Tristana, Poppy, Heimer), the only exception is Ziggs and even considering that, the lore of those champions are not really that updated in comparison with other champs.

Lintu Puck7/30/2018, 8:45:33 PM3 votes

Because he was not key to the story. Shen and Zed grew up together and are rivals. Shen trained Akali for years before she got fed up and left. Kennen as it stands was not highly important for any of the 3. What we do get is mention of him in Akali's bio and her having a line or 2 for him in game.

SlyTactician 7/31/2018, 4:42:14 AM3 votes

It really is a shame to see Kennen, one of the original Kinkou trio, be left out. I really did look forward to the Akali VGU in hopes Kennen will finally get some more lore, development and a further relationship with Akali. While the latter was given a bit of insight with him being a very close friend of hers since childhood, Kennen was barely touched up upon and didn't feature in her trailers either. :(

It's true that Ken is slated for an eventual VGU though I wonder when this might be considering how much of Ionia we've seen so far since Irelia's rework? Could it take another year or two before Ken gets his? I am happy that the Kinkou got development as it was left alone for quite some time now; however, it feels wrong that of the Kinkou Order trio - one of ninjas was left behind in terms of content. Not even a short story either while both Shen and Akali received one along with Zed.

It's tough waiting for years to see one's favourite champion get even a mention from Riot. Barely any of the recent League promotion material, trailers, Akali teasers for her VGU, or even merch in general feature Kennen. Even at the time when the Kinkou Order members are given more depth, Kennen barely got much for some reason. We know he's a young, energetic yordle who ran up the Placidium walls and was later taken into the Kinkou, is willing to accept Zed if he seeks redemption, and also is fond of Sona's music. He is considered to be a prankster as well - would have love to seen how much trouble he brings to the Order!

But since then, we got a small rewrite bio about him patrolling the Spirit World with Shen...but oddly enough, Shen's new bio makes no mention of Kennen at all. Hopefully the little guy gets some love soon! Kennen did make a small cameo dancing at the end of the Akali champion spotlight...so this does make me hopeful that Akali still maintains a good bond with the little guy ala her bio and that one quote. Kennen is my favourite champion, so I hope Riot knows we Kennen fans exist out there!

Kennen item 3070

RookPusher7/30/2018, 8:14:15 PM2 votes

Have you seen Swamp Kennen? I think he's been shown enough favoritism for one lifetime.

c00kie sniffer8/4/2018, 8:17:24 PM1 votes

Let's make Kennen gucci again

GreenLore7/30/2018, 8:30:47 PM1 votes

Its possible that they are working on a VGU for him.

I mean he is high on the VGU list and they ignored him in this lore update even though it was the perfect opportunity to update him(and they showed already in the past that they are ok with updating the lores of champs on the VGU list,like DrMundo Pantheon or Mordekaiser )

mrmeddyman7/31/2018, 1:51:20 AM1 votes

He's on the VGU list so why change his lore now only to have to change it again later?

Maisanai7/31/2018, 2:18:31 AM1 votes

at least he is still mentioned in akali's bio, if only briefly. " Akali fled into the eastern mountains along with Mayym, Shen, Kennen, and a handful of other acolytes. Sadly, Tahno was not among them."