Champion Stats
| Role | Mage |
| Difficulty | |
| Blue Essence | 2400 BE |
Why High-Elo Players Smurf with Kennen
Low elo players don't respect Kennen's range and poke. They will let him land Q-W trades for free until they are low enough for an all-in. They also fail to watch their flanks, allowing Kennen to find the perfect angle for a 5-man ultimate. A smurf can use the Mark of the Storm (Passive) to consistently stun enemies in lane and secure easy solo-kills.
The Level 1 Cheese
First Blood Strategy
Start Q (Thundering Shuriken) for early poke and mark-stacking. In lane, your AA-Q-AA trade is surprisingly strong. Level 2 with W (Electrical Surge) allows you to trigger the stun once you've landed a Q and an empowered AA. Most top laners can't trade back efficiently against a ranged Kennen.
The 'Pay-to-Win' Skin Advantage
'Arctic Ops Kennen' is the classic 'try-hard' smurf skin—the unique shuriken and camo theme are perfect. 'Super Kennen' is a fun choice with great visual clarity. 'Infernal Kennen' offers amazing fire effects. Avoid 'Karate Kennen' as it's just a recolor.
When They Ban Kennen
Backup Pick: If Kennen is banned,
Rumble offers a similar 'AOE-ultimate' teamfight presence.
Neeko for the disguise and AOE stun ultimate.
Vladimir for the scaling AOE magic damage.
Rune Setup
Best Runes: Electrocute is the best choice for maximizing your burst in lane trades and ultimate engages. First Strike is an alternative for faster gold scaling. Secondary Inspiration with Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight to reach your core items and Flash faster.
Skill Priority
Order:
Q → W → EMax Q first—it's your primary damage and mark-stacking tool. Max W second for the increased damage and scaling on your empowered AA. Max E last as the energy return and speed are sufficient with one point.
Mastering Kennen's Kit
Thundering Shuriken. Kennen throws a shuriken that deals magic damage and applies a mark. It's a skillshot, so land it to start your combo.
Electrical Surge. Passive: Every 5th attack deals bonus damage and applies a mark. Active: Deals damage to all nearby marked enemies and applies another mark. Use this to trigger stuns.
Lightning Rush. Kennen becomes a ball of lightning, gaining movement speed and dealing damage to enemies he passes through, applying a mark. It also grants bonus resistances.
Slicing Maelstrom. Kennen summons a storm that repeatedly strikes nearby enemies, dealing magic damage and applying marks. This is your game-winning teamfight tool.
Matchup Tips
Easy Matchup. You can easily poke him out and stun him whenever he tries to Q-silence you. Your E allows you to escape his spin every time. Just don't get greedy.
Easy Matchup (for smurfs). You out-range him and can stun him if he tries to hook you. Use your E to stay out of his Q range. Just poke until he's forced to back.
Skill Matchup. He has better range and burst in cannon form, but you have better teamfight presence. Focus on landing Qs and don't take free damage from his E-Q combo.
The Ego Check
WARNING: Stop wasting your Flash! Your Flash-R combo is your most powerful tool. If you use it for an unnecessary solo-kill, you're useless for 5 minutes of teamfights. Also, manage your energy! If you empty your bar on poke, you won't have enough to use your full combo during a gank. Also, use your W selectively to ensure the stun triggers when you need it.
When to Queue Dodge
Dodge if facing heavy 'disengage' or 'shields' comps with Janna, Lulu, or Morgana if your team has no other engage. They can push you away or block your stun. Also dodge into Irelia who can out-dash your kit.
Teamfight Role
In teamfights, you are the primary AOE threat. Your job is to find a flank or follow up an initiation. Activate E (Lightning Rush) to close the gap, then Flash into the enemy backline and activate R (Slicing Maelstrom). Spam W to stack marks and stun everyone. You are the lightning that strikes the heart of the enemy team.
The 'Disrespect' Build
Full AP 'Nuclear Shuriken' Kennen. Rocketbelt -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. With this build, your R-W combo will literally delete squishies before the second stun even triggers. It's hilarious to see an entire team disappear in a storm of lightning. Maximum BM, high-risk.
Power Windows
Level 1-2 is your strongest lane poke phase. Level 6 is your massive teamfight spike. Your biggest item spike is reaching Hextech Rocketbelt, which gives you the extra gap-close needed for the perfect ultimate.
Tilt Factor
Type 'Shocking, isn't it?' in all-chat after a 5-man stun. Spam the 'dance' emote while running in circles with E active. The sound of Kennen's ultimate is a psychological trigger that makes enemies panic and scatter.
Recent Patch History
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
| V14.17 | Aug 28, 2024 | NERF | Q nerfed |
| V14.13 | Jun 26, 2024 | NERF | Base stats nerfed |
| V14.9 | May 1, 2024 | BUFF | E adjusted, R adjusted |
| V14.2 | Jan 24, 2024 | BUFF | W buffed |
| V13.18 | Sep 13, 2023 | BUFF | E buffed, R buffed |
Safety Tips
Safety isn't an accident. It's a deliberate process. By the time you log in, the account is already 'cleared' by Riot's systems.
