In the fast-paced world of Teamfight Tactics (TFT), making strategic choices can determine the outcome of your match. One critical decision involves selecting the right buff for the champion Kindred, a versatile character known for their ability to influence team fights significantly. This guide explores the advantages and disadvantages of equipping Kindred with either the Red or Blue Buff, providing insights and strategies to help you make the most informed decision for your gameplay.
Understanding Kindred: Role and Abilities
Kindred stands out in TFT for their unique role as both a damage dealer and a utility provider. Their kit revolves around dealing substantial damage over time while offering a protective zone through their ultimate ability. This ultimate, known as Lamb’s Respite, creates a protective area that prevents allies from dropping below a certain health threshold, making Kindred a valuable asset in various team compositions.
Kindred’s Abilities:
- Basic Attacks: Kindred’s attacks deal a mix of physical and magic damage, with their damage output significantly influenced by the chosen buff.
- Q – Dance of Arrows: Kindred’s Q ability allows them to deal damage to enemies in a targeted area and provides a chance to critically strike.
- W – Wolf’s Frenzy: This ability summons a spectral wolf that attacks enemies in a specified area, dealing additional damage and applying a slow.
- E – Mounting Dread: Kindred’s E ability marks a target for extra damage. If the target is killed within a few seconds, Kindred gains bonus attack speed.
- R – Lamb’s Respite: Kindred’s ultimate ability creates a zone of protection that prevents all allies from dropping below a certain health threshold, offering critical support during team fights.
Kindred’s Place in the Meta
In TFT, the meta is always evolving, and Kindred’s versatility has consistently kept them relevant. Their dual role allows them to fit into various team compositions, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities. Their unique playstyle makes them a popular choice among players who need both damage and utility from a single champion.
The Red Buff: Pros and Cons
Choosing the Red Buff for Kindred comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This buff is known for enhancing Kindred’s damage output and adding additional effects to their attacks.
Advantages of the Red Buff
- Damage Over Time: Enemies struck by Kindred’s attacks sustain additional damage over time thanks to the Red Buff. This is particularly effective against tanky opponents, gradually wearing down their health.
- Healing Reduction: Another crucial benefit is the healing reduction effect. The Red Buff limits the effectiveness of enemy healing abilities, which is especially useful against compositions that rely heavily on sustain and healing.
- Improved Auto-Attacks: Kindred’s basic attacks gain potency when equipped with the Red Buff, making it possible for them to more effectively deplete opponents’ health and make a greater impact during combat.
Disadvantages of the Red Buff
- Lack of Utility: Kindred’s damage output is increased by the Red Buff, but it offers no extra benefits or crowd management capabilities. This can b e limiting in scenarios where utility is needed to control the battlefield.
- Limited Synergy: Kindred’s abilities already offer slows and damage, making the Red Buff’s effects somewhat redundant in certain situations. This can lead to less effective utilization of Kindred’s overall potential.
The Blue Buff: Pros and Cons
On the other hand, the Blue Buff focuses on enhancing Kindred’s ability usage, providing significant utility and mobility advantages.
Advantages of the Blue Buff
- Cooldown Reduction: The Blue Buff offers substantial cooldown reduction, allowing Kindred to use their abilities more frequently. This can lead to increased uptime for their ultimate ability, which is crucial for protecting the team during critical moments.
- Mana Regeneration: Enhanced mana regeneration ensures that Kindred can continuously cast abilities throughout fights without running out of resources. This is particularly beneficial in prolonged battles.
- Enhanced Mobility: The combination of cooldown reduction and mana regeneration contributes to Kindred’s mobility, enabling them to reposition more effectively and adapt to changing fight dynamics.
Disadvantages of the Blue Buff
- Reduced Damage Output: While the Blue Buff enhances utility, it does not directly increase Kindred’s damage output. This can be a drawback in scenarios where maximizing damage is the primary goal.
- Dependency on Abilities: Relying heavily on abilities can make Kindred vulnerable during periods when their abilities are on cooldown. This dependency might limit their effectiveness if they cannot secure resets or finish off opponents quickly.
Choosing Between Red or Blue Buff for Kindred
When deciding between the Red or Blue Buff for Kindred, several factors should be considered to make the best choice for your team composition and strategy.
Factors to Consider
- Team Composition: Evaluate the general makeup and approach of your team. By strengthening Kindred’s capacity to defend teammates and disrupt adversaries, the Blue Buff may be more valuable if your team lacks crowd control and utility.
- Opponent’s Strategy: Analyze your opponent’s strategy and composition. If they rely heavily on healing and sustain, the Red Buff’s healing reduction can be a game-changer, significantly impacting their ability to maintain health.
- Playstyle Preference: Your personal playstyle and preference should also influence your decision. If you prefer a more aggressive, damage-focused approach, the Red Buff might be more suitable. Conversely, if you value utility and adaptability, the Blue Buff could be the better choice.
Situational Analysis
- Against Healing Compositions: In matches where the enemy team features champions with significant healing capabilities, the Red Buff’s healing reduction can be invaluable. It helps to negate the enemy’s sustain and can turn the tide in your favor.
- Utility and Mobility Focus: When your team composition requires additional utility and mobility, the Blue Buff’s cooldown reduction and mana regeneration can provide Kindred with the tools needed to support the team effectively. This can be crucial in maintaining control over the battlefield and adapting to various threats.
- Adaptability in Play: It’s critical to maintain your flexibility during games. You might have to alternate between Red and Blue Buffs as the game progresses in order to adapt to shifting conditions and team dynamics. The result of the match can vary significantly depending on how adaptable you are in your approach.
Expert Insights and Strategies
Professional Player Perspectives
- Aggressive Playstyles: Some professional players prefer the Red Buff for aggressive playstyles, maximizing Kindred’s damage potential and capitalizing on their ability to shred through enemy defenses. This approach focuses on leveraging Kindred’s damage over time and healing reduction to overpower opponents.
- Strategic Adaptation: Other players emphasize the importance of strategic adaptation, recommending the Blue Buff in situations where Kindred’s utility and protection are needed to counter specific threats. This perspective highlights the value of cooldown reduction and mana regeneration in supporting the team and controlling fights.
Combining Buffs with Other Items
- Synergizing with Items: Consider how the chosen buff synergizes with other items equipped on Kindred. For example, pairing the Blue Buff with cooldown-reducing items can amplify its benefits, allowing Kindred to utilize their abilities more frequently and effectively.
- Adapting to Opponent’s Builds: Pay attention to the things that your rivals are constructing. If they are stacking defensive items, the Red Buff’s damage-over-time effect can help penetrate their defenses. Conversely, if opponents are focusing on burst damage, the Blue Buff’s enhanced utility can provide crucial support and survivability.
Conclusion
In the dynamic world of Teamfight Tactics, the decision of whether to equip Kindred with the Red or Blue Buff is a strategic choice that can significantly impact the outcome of a match. Every buff has unique benefits and drawbacks, and the best option relies on a number of variables like opponent playstyle, team composition, and individual playstyle preferences. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each buff and adapting to the evolving nature of the game, players can harness Kindred’s potential to lead their team to victory.
FAQs About Kindred Red or Blue TFT
What is Kindred’s primary role in TFT?
Kindred serves as both a damage dealer and a utility provider, offering crowd control and protection for the team through their unique abilities.
How does the Red Buff benefit Kindred?
The Red Buff enhances Kindred’s damage output with additional damage over time and applies a healing reduction effect to counter enemy healing abilities.
What benefits does Kindred receive from the Blue Buff?
The Blue Buff offers cooldown reduction and enhanced mana regeneration, allowing Kindred to use their abilities more frequently and maintain mobility during fights.
I’m not sure when to pick the Red Buff for Kindred?
Opt for the Red Buff when facing opponents with significant healing capabilities or when aiming for a damage-focused playstyle.
Under what circumstances does Kindred benefit more from the Blue Buff?
The Blue Buff is useful against opponents that deal a lot of burst damage or when your team needs more protection, mobility, and utility.
I’m in a match; can I flip between Red and Blue Buffs?
Yes, players can switch between Red and Blue Buffs based on the evolving dynamics of the match and the needs of their team.
How can I decide which buff to use for Kindred in a given match?
Consider factors such as team composition, opponent strategy, and personal playstyle preferences to determine the optimal buff choice for Kindred.
Are there other items that synergize well with the Blue Buff on Kindred?
Cooldown-reducing items synergize effectively with the Blue Buff, amplifying its effects and enhancing Kindred’s utility.
What is the ultimate power of Kindred, and how does it function?
Kindred’s ultimate ability, Lamb’s Respite, creates a protective zone that prevents allies from dropping below a certain health threshold, offering crucial protection during team fights.
How can I make the most out of Kindred Red or Blue TFT?
To maximize Kindred’s effectiveness, adapt to the changing dynamics of the match, consider buff and item synergies, and strategically position Kindred to leverage their abilities for optimal impact.
