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League of Legends: Kennen Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Mar 142013
 
Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest
Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest

Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest embodies the traditional nimble ninja aided by magical abilities. His skins mostly refrain from any large modifications to his concept; which generates varied results. If you want to bring the maelstrom to your enemies and in the thunder bind them, then this review will mark the best looks for unleashing your lightning.

Deadly Kennen
Deadly Kennen Splash Art Deadly Kennen Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Kennen dressed with a black-red ninja outfit.
Model: New textures for Kennen.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: This piece is just a simple re-colour of Kennen’s classic splash art. The background is tinted with a bit more red but remains a black empty space. Besides, Kennen’s plainly but effectively modified to reflect his new look. The outline isn’t very well defined and the shading is rather murky but it ends up being a passable portrayal. Thus, the piece is useful but as boring and uninspiring as it could be.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Deadly Kennen is a simple but appealing re-texture of Kennen that provides a different but distinct red ninja look. The basis of his outfit remains mostly unchanged, except for his mask, but the patterns of colours are a welcome change. The logo on the back seems simpler but the suit design is a bit more elaborate. In the end, the colour scheme doesn’t stand out much but generates an attractive ninja style. If you are a fan of Kennen, then Deadly Kennen is a nice alternative.

Swamp Master Kennen
Swamp Master Kennen Splash Art Swamp Master Kennen Model
Category: Legacy
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Kennen as white clad furless ninja yordle.
Model: New textures for Kennen.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: Like many others, this piece is just a re-colour of Kennen’s classic splash art. The background hints at some naked trees but not even a suggestion is made about a swamp. Kennen’s portrayal uses a dynamic stance that shows his full body and allows him to float in the empty piece. The colours are alright but rather murky; still it serves as a portrayal. It’s a disappointing piece but useful at least.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Swamp Master Kennen does much with little yet the result isn’t exactly appealing. The white outfit looks dirty and washed out. Besides, the furless skin appears unhealthy, unattractive and alien; especially for a yordle. Even the nails seem unsuitable. In general, the skin does much with little but it doesn’t end up looking good. If you like this particular style it’s not a bad choice. However, it hardly exploits the strengths of a yordle or a ninja.

Karate Kennen
Karate Kennen Splash Art Karate Kennen Model
Category: Regular
Price: 520 RP
Concept: Kennen as a karateka.
Model: Major model changes for Kennen.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The background is a sunlight-drenched dojo made with a generous amount of wood. The colour palette is rather restricted which gives a rather monotonous look. The spaced floorboards could also generate tripping issues when training and it all feels a bit empty. Still, the setting is reasonably depicted with nice decorations that surface among the blurry sunlight. Kennen poses with a distinct crane stance which allows a clear view of him. The depiction is correct as well as the shading but it feels a bit dull due to the plain shading and simple lines. This is especially notable in how the fur appears. All in all, it’s a good splash art that offers a sensible portrayal of Kennen.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Karate Kennen is effectively a full re-model that re-interprets Kennen as a classic martial artist. The result is eloquent and eye-catching: the karategi looks correct and even has a pattern on the back to break the white monotony. On top of that, this outfit reveals more of Kennen’s cute, furry physique; which looks rather nice. The mask is a necessary complement to keep a bit of the anonymity necessary of his ninja theme; which evidently remains. Therefore, the shuriken and lightning abilities seem whimsical but have to stay as an unavoidable legacy. To sum up, Karate Kennen is an eye-catching alternative appearance that struggles with his ninja persona but that delivers a good look for a reasonable price.

Kennen M.D.
Kennen M.D. Splash Art Kennen M.D. Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Kennen as a diagnostic clinician.
Model: Major model changes for Kennen and new model for his shurikens.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: This piece is characterized by a good setting: Cho’Gath receiving X-rays while Kennen considers the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. However, the room is minimally depicted with few and simple elements along diffuse shading. Kennen looks a bit better as the shading shows ample amount of folds and the lines are more precise than those of Cho’Gath’s caricature. Regardless, Kennen looks muddy or dirty while his eyes seem flat. In the end, it’s a nice splash art that manages to do more than just portraying Kennen but the quality isn’t good enough to display the pristine and sterile confines of a medical clinic.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Kennen M.D. is hardly comical or even funny as it, actually, is a rather measured and collected physician look. The clothes are adequate yet understandably unimpressive and the scalpel-shurikens a clever though capricious solution. The mask and open tabi are the other remnants of his ninja self which are minor enough that can be ignored. The revealed furry body is a nice consequence of the chosen clothing but seems rather familiar. In fact, Kennen M.D. seems to be heavily based on Karate Kennen, or at least made in unison, which devalues the product somewhat. Therefore, the idea of a furry doctor comes with competition from a cheaper furry karateka. Consequently, if what you really like about Kennen M.D. is the arbitrary medical theme then this is the skin to get. However, if part of the appeal is on seeing Kennen’s cute, little, furry body then there’s an alternative to consider.

Arctic Ops Kennen
Arctic Ops Kennen Splash Art Arctic Ops Kennen Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Kennen outfitted for warfare in a cold climate.
Model: Major model changes for Kennen and new model for his shurikens.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: New taunt animation.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: The setting clearly shows a forest among a snow storm yet the extreme simplicity and blurriness of the background manage to make it look incredibly dull and boring. Kennen also suffers from that issue as his legs and parts of his arms also seem to dissolve in the storm. In addition to this, while the lines aren’t bad they aren’t very detailed either. Instead they prefer to let the shading take care of elements so even though there are some folds and the hair looks good the result is frankly underwhelming. In fact, what little dynamism is added by the thrown kunai is devoured by the oppressive whiteness. In the end, it’s a passable piece that gives an idea of Kennen’s look but that stays as a largely disappointing portrayal.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Arctic Ops Kennen delivers a distinct appearance that evokes his ninja style with an alternate take. The outfit is rather well done with several layers of clothing yet practical and without exaggerations. The simple but attractive pattern on the clothes prevents any monotony while the kunai on the back make a strong statement about eventual activities. Actually, the outfit is so measured that while fitting as a snow ninja doesn’t feel restricted to just that. Therefore, it becomes an additional style that fits Kennen’s persona without compromising or anchoring him at a specific theme. While this means that the Arctic angle isn’t perfectly reflected it also allows for a more flexible look. This is reinforced by the chosen weapon: the kunai. As an alternative to the shurikens, it keeps the stealthy operative feel without necessarily reflecting a particular role. All things considered, Arctic Ops Kennen is a rather open style that is definitely attractive but that doesn’t convey a specific message; which is its strongest feature and also more remarkable flaw. By now, the price seems unreasonably high for only offering model changes. Regardless, it’s a skin that delivers a unique style.

Blood Moon Kennen
Blood Moon Kennen Splash Art Blood Moon Kennen Model
Category: Regular
Price: 975 RP
Concept: Kennen playing the role of a dark spirit in the Ionian Festival of Fire play; which resembles a Japanese Noh theatre play.
Model: New model for Kennen and his shurikens.
Particles: New particles for his abilities.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for his recall.
Splash Art: At a glance it looks like the piece is lacking life. The background is confusing and messy while Kennen looks sketchy with a puzzling lack of polish. The composition seems to be merely a ninja running towards the viewer. With a bit of effort it’s possible to identify clues that in fact reveal that Kennen is running vertically up a gate. That’s a great idea but it shouldn’t take much work to realize the actual setting. Besides, as it’s all so simply presented that the sense of speed, height and perspective is indistinguishable.
Kennen doesn’t escape the noticeable defects present. The only hint of life is the glowing eyes and electrically charged shuriken. Most of his body is hidden by either the stance or the blur. His arms barely escape with the left being reasonably detailed but the right suffering from a simplistic depiction. His hair appears as a mess out of a draft and the mask, whatever the material, seems dull despite the good design and the reflection of light.
All things considered, more than a finished splash art this appears to be a draft that went through unfinished and unnoticed. The potential is palpable but largely unexploited as it clearly needs a new layer the highlights its best aspects and refines all its elements. At least, it does display some of the major characteristics of Kennen’s look; even if in such a flat way.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: With an ample mask that reinforces the theme of speed Blood Moon Kennen is more about lightning-fast movement than crimson fluids. That’s actually the skin’s biggest strength. The elaborate robe is good looking with its complex design. The colours don’t match the mask much and there isn’t much reason for the lack of a right vambrace; on the contrary. Still, given Kennen posture it’s his mask and red hair that end up stealing the show. The big eyes framed by a red pattern that opposes the mask’s shape and links to the red mane make for an eye-catching design that identifies the skin. The new shurikens with curved blades are also a great fit for the skin’s speed theme and connect to the red lighting well.
The particles are quite attractive with multiple streaks of red lightning. They can feel overly reused and when the stay brief or lack a good contrast of tones they can seem simplistic. It’s mostly the same designs used many time over. However, seldom does it come to life with the bright energy proper of lightning. Regardless, for the most part they are a fine match for the general feel of the skin.
Special mention deserves Lighting Rush with its unique red blur of energy surrounded by lightning. It does a fantastic job at conveying both skin and champion’s style in a familiar, simple but appealing way. A trail left on the ground or attacked enemies would’ve further added to the feel but the result is a highlight of the skin, nonetheless. It may steal the show from the dark yet florid Thundering Shuriken and shy but fluid Slicing Maelstrom.
All things considered, Blood Moon Kennen is a great skin for fans of the Heart of the Tempest. It takes one of the most appealing aspects of his personality and reinforces it under a shade of red. Considering how effective and suitable the style is this is a skin that Kennen fans shouldn’t ignore.

Super Kennen
Super Kennen Splash Art Super Kennen Model
Category: Regular
Price: 750 RP
Concept: Kennen dressed in a superhero.
Model: New model for Kennen and his shurikens plus new glow for the shurikens.
Particles: No new particles.
Animations: No new animations.
Sounds: No new sounds.
Splash Art: There are high hopes of a setting with much to show given the intense blur applied to it. The house wooden floor and sun-basking windows look nice enough yet somewhat empty. It’s not just the lack of detail in what is shown but also the fact that there’s little to see in what otherwise would be a residence. There seems to be some toys besides the dog bowl but that’s all the evidence left by pet and children. Of course, provided we don’t take into account a Toy-Story-inspired run for their life.
The apparition of the three toys under the sunlight is rather eye-catching. They flee with desperation from a dog that seems as playful as deadly; at least for them. Alistar displays the best shading to the point that the costume looks like photorealistic plastic. His face is a bit less convincing but still works well. The glass bottle seems a bit sketchy and the milk somewhat dense like cream but the effect is appealing. Kennen, instead, adopts a cartoony style emphasised by the streak of lighting behind him. The simpler shading and more exaggerated lines further reinforce the fact. It’s, in comparison, less attractive than Alistar’s portrayal but still effective. Renekton stands somewhat in the middle between quasi-photorealistic shading and cartoony lines. The soft shading strikes as too subdued and the outline may force the perspective a bit: the lower body seems too small. The slashing of a wet tennis ball isn’t well explained, though. Knowing Pug’Maw, he’d spit it against them but there’s no sign of it. At least, it suits the Toy Butcher.
Moving to the side and shifting focus, which is frankly ridiculous as all of the characters are of equal importance, we find Kog’Maw in dog form. Now, reassured of what we have to look at, we find that the, at times, photorealistic shading which, much like the three-dimensional skin, ends up bringing up the effects of the uncanny valley. The glassy eyes, sometimes waxy and sometimes sketchy fur, dead-like dry tongue, sketchy maw and nose, all before a body of unconvincing proportions and not entirely familiar shapes, like the legs and paws, makes for a slightly deformed dog that can appear more creepy than cute. The big eyes and maw aim at such intended cuteness but there’s obviously something off on sight.
All added together, this is an uneven splash art that provides a good context for three fleeing toys and a monstrous dog on the chase. The toys are the most appealing part given that the dog’s physique can feel off-putting when examined up close. The setting seems bare and minimal, as well as diffuse, but it frames the action well enough. What feels preposterous is that the shared splash arts blurs either toys or dog to indicate where the viewer should look at; which seems too patronising. The scene speaks for itself and as a shared splash art the spotlight should be, exactly, shared instead of focused arbitrarily. Maybe in future splash arts we’ll receive a diagram and manual to know how to go about them.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZeroStar clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Part Flash, part Static and a bit of mouse added for flavour: Super Kennen is a mixture of superheroes with a furry tint that ends up rather appealing. The little, overactive hero has no problems incorporating super-speed and electricity as part of his design. The goggles, headphones, wristbands and boots take care of one part while the bi-colour suit with bolt logo and the bolt in hand take care of the other. There’s actually some overlap between elements which makes the costume all the more cohesive and attractive. On top of that, the glow added to the bolt-shuriken is a good touch to make the super-hero energy more explicit.
It’s a pity though that, just as the hair takes another colour to flow stylishly during his actions, the electric particles don’t do the same. While the classic colour works well enough a lighter tone would’ve made the skin more consistent, interesting and special. It’s a simple change that would add a lot to the skin’s identity.
For what it is, Super Kennen is an appealing super-hero skin that evokes good aspects of his powers. The design isn’t groundbreaking but is surely attractive. If you are content with just a costume then the skin won’t disappoint.

Conclusion

Kennen’s skins tend to keep him as a ninja and usually don’t stray far from that theme. That may not be an issue but generates a strong competition among skins with shared traits. The recommendation is Blood Moon Kennen because it strengthens the speed theme with an attractive layer of red. The mask is iconic and the red lightning eye-catching and thus a unique identity is defined for the skin. Given how effective the skin is fans of Kennen shouldn’t miss it.

It’s also worth recommending Arctic Ops Kennen as his finest re-model. It offers a distinct look that evokes his ninja persona without restricting itself. Although its open concept misses a specific role it also allows a wider appeal. It’s a bit expensive for only changing the model but it’s quite good at what it sets out to do.

Super Kennen also competes as a great re-model. The design brings out the style of a speedster with electric powers in an appealing way. Besides the new glowing weapon there’s nothing else added which is where the skin falls short; a new colour for the electricity would’ve added a lot. Regardless, as a costumed super-hero, Super Kennen is ready to save the day.

Karate Kennen is a nice and cheap option, especially if you enjoy the idea of a little, furry martial artist. The mask and shurikens don’t blend that well with the concept but overall don’t detract from his look. It’s not a flawless skin but it’s certainly good enough for its price.

Kennen M.D. is a direct competition to the aforementioned skin. The medical angle feels arbitrary but is correctly executed so if that’s what you’re after then this is the one. However, if the cute, little, furry ninja is an angle you enjoy there’s a cheaper alternative.

Finally, Deadly Kennen strikes a balance between a recognizable look and a new one. It all stays restricted to Kennen’s classic ninja style but the appearance is distinct enough to offer something different yet familiar and attractive. If you are a Kennen fan then this is a nice alternative to his classic look.

  22 Responses to “League of Legends: Kennen Skins’ Review”

  1. Can you please review Poppy’s skins? :D?

  2. If you want some added info about Deadly Kennen, he’s color scheme seems to be based on Deadpool
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadpool

    • Thanks for the information. Indeed, the suits are similar but Kennen doesn’t have much in common with Deadpool to be more than a little tribute. Still, it’s worth noticing.

  3. Pretty sure Arctic Ops Kennen has a new taunt!

    • We haven’t noticed but we’ll give it a look. By now, it’s equally possible that we didn’t notice or that it was incorporated some time ago.

  4. I’m surprised the review for Swamp Master Kennen doesn’t mention the obvious Yoda reference. I like it for that reason alone, and I don’t think it’s so bad – maybe recommend it for diehard Star Wars fans?

    • Well, there is a reference but it doesn’t seem really obvious as Kennen is displayed first as a white ninja and then with some physical traits similar to Yoda. Besides, his furry nature stands in stark contrast to Yoda’s aspect.

      To be fair, Chosen Master Yi is the best option for Star Wars fans. Swamp Master Kennen seems like too weak a tribute to recommend.

  5. Arctic Ops Kennen actually has a new taunt animation. The Classic rolls his shuriken on his shoulders, while Arctic Ops flip kicks his kunai.

  6. What’s Rarer? Swamp Master Or Deadly Kennen?

    • Both stand on equal ground as far as we know. They are retired legacy skins that are only available when the Legacy Vault opens so there’s no difference there.

      There’s a difference in design as Deadly has a better look than Swamp Master but that can be a matter of taste. As far as rarity goes, they are equal as far as we can tell.

  7. For Swamp Master Kennen, under model, you spelt textures as texturs. Lol its bothereing me.

  8. So do you have any thoughts on the new blood moon kennen skin?(although it isnt officially out yet)
    Looks pretty great for the price, which is 975 I think and looks to be a great addition to his current set of skins

    • Considering how old his other skins are Blood Moon doesn’t need to do much more than cover the usual bases nowadays to be a better option. Regardless, it does seem like a rather good skin and if the price stays reasonable it could become his best option.

  9. Maybe it’s just me but I get a very Hitmonlee vibe from Karate Kennen haha.

    • Perhaps it’s no coincidence. Maybe it’s just the karate feel. There could something to it but there’s an extra head in one that doesn’t fit in the other.

  10. So Blood Moon Kennen review? My prediction: 4 stars. “Nice job of incorporating the Blood Moon theme, but doesn’t directly relate to Kennen and the theme, while attractive, doesn’t perfectly come across.” xD

    • Spot on on the rating but not so much on the particulars. We think that the Blood Moon actually enhances his speed side. However, there’s a bit of repetition on it all and the brightest, most vivid parts of the skin are few and between darker ones. Overall, it’s a well done skin that only needs some refinement to shine.

  11. Super kennen its not flash, its quicksilver from marvel, but overall great review. Keep up the good work!

    • We mentioned flash due to the lighting which Flash makes good use of. Quicksilver seems to be visually quieter thought the outfit and hair has more in common with him, to be fair.

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