Kindred
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Good (6.5/10)
Rare Relics OK
Low Investment
High Investment Required
While Kindred possesses one of the most potent 'cheese' strategies in the game via the Guardian Angel interaction, the base kit—specifically the 'Prey' mechanic found in the 1-star and 3-star powers—is widely considered clunky, low-impact, and counter-intuitive to a hunter playstyle. The champion is extremely powerful at 2-stars due to the 'Spirit Journey' spell, but the gameplay loop can feel repetitive or boring to some players.
The Infinite Hunt
Essential. When you kill Kindred with your own 'Spirit Journey' spell, Guardian Angel revives her, and the spell's effect summons a fresh copy. This results in two Kindreds on the board and triggers 'On Summon' effects for both.
Triggers a strike on summon. When the duplication combo executes, both the revived Kindred and the new copy strike the strongest enemy, usually clearing the board and leveling Kindred instantly.- Adds another strike instance. With two Stalker's Blades, a single Spirit Journey on yourself results in four strikes (2 units x 2 relics), decimating the enemy board.
Strategy
This build exploits the interaction between Kindred's 2-Star power (Spirit Journey) and Guardian Angel. By targeting Kindred with Spirit Journey, you trigger a death (Last Breath), a revive (Guardian Angel), and a re-summon (Spirit Journey). This duplicates your champion and triggers all summon relics multiple times. This loop allows you to fill the board with Kindreds and control the game completely.
Orb Printer
- The core enabler for the duplication loop.
When Kindred is summoned, grants Epic items to random cards in the deck. The duplication loop triggers this effect multiple times per turn.- Doubles the Epic item generation. This build focuses on scaling your entire deck into an unstoppable force rather than immediate board clear.
Strategy
Utilize the same self-kill strategy as the Infinite Hunt build. Instead of clearing the board with strikes, you rapidly stack Epic items on your deck. Since Kindred is summoned multiple times in a single sequence, you can trigger Guardian's Orb 4-6 times in a single turn.
Mischief Maker
Plants Poison Puffcaps when the champion deals damage.- Ensures Kindred stays on board and allows for the duplication loop to maximize damage output.
- Procs strikes on summon, which counts as 'dealing damage,' instantly triggering the Flute's trap planting mechanic.
Strategy
This build addresses Kindred's struggle to close out games by flooding the enemy deck with traps. Because Stalker's Blade counts as Kindred dealing damage, every summon from the Guardian Angel loop plants traps.
Other Relic Options
A strong defensive alternative to Stalker's Blade. Stuns enemies on summon, locking down the board completely when duplicated.
Useful for managing board space. Since Kindred prints copies of herself and generates Preys, the board clogs easily. This relic allows you to consolidate stats onto one unit.
Creates copies of 'Spirit Journey' in hand, ensuring you always have the fuel to execute the self-kill combo.
Constellation
Kindred's power budget is heavily skewed toward their 2-Star power, which defines their entire playstyle. The 1-Star and 3-Star powers are widely criticized for being low-impact and creating board space issues with 'Prey' units.
Ashes to Ashes
Round Start: Summon a Prey. If you already have one, instead, grant your Prey "Last Breath: Deal 1 to the enemy Nexus".
Circle of Death
+1 Starting Mana. Round Start: Create a Spirit Journey in hand. If you already have one, reduce its cost by 2.Review
The absolute core of Kindred's kit. 'Spirit Journey' provides removal, protection (by dodging spells), and the engine for the Guardian Angel duplication exploit. Without this power, the champion struggles significantly.
Ashes to Ashes II
Round Start: Summon a Prey. If you already have one, instead, grant your Prey "Last Breath: Deal 2 to the enemy Nexus".Review
Considered one of the weakest 3-star powers in the game. The damage from Preys is negligible in late-game adventures, and the units often hinder your ability to summon stronger cards by clogging the board.
Gameplay Tips
Master the Self-Slay
The most effective way to play Kindred is to target yourself with the 2-mana 'Spirit Journey' spell generated by your 2-star power. If you have the Guardian Angel relic equipped, Kindred will die (triggering Last Breath effects), revive from the relic, and then a fresh copy will be summoned by the spell. This turns a simple removal spell into a champion duplication engine.
Manage Board Space Aggressively
Kindred suffers from severe board clutter due to 'Prey' units generated by star powers and the duplication of the champion itself. Do not hesitate to use 'Spirit Journey' to kill your own Preys if you need space, or overwrite them with stronger units. They are fodder, not win conditions.
Stalker's Blade Interactions
Strikes from Stalker's Blade count towards Kindred's level-up condition. Since the duplication combo can trigger multiple strikes in one action, you can often level Kindred immediately upon dropping her on Turn 2 or 3.
Avoid Trifarian Might
The power 'Trifarian Might' (Strike when you summon a 5+ power unit) can actually break Kindred's mechanics. If Kindred strikes and kills a unit immediately upon summon, she may mark a target and then kill it before the round end, disrupting the flow of marks for the next round. Use with caution.
Countering Mutators
Kindred is an exceptional counter to 'Kill and Revive' mutators found in Monthly Challenges. Her kit naturally benefits from units dying, and she can out-value the AI in attrition wars.