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League of Legends: Kai’Sa Skins’ Review – StrategyZero
Mar 072018
 
Kai'Sa, Daughter of the Void
Kai’Sa, Daughter of the Void

Lost to the Void, that’s what everyone thought but it was far from it. What these lands created the Void gave shape. Crafted like a piece of art she had to adapt to the harsh life of the Void. If you can’t beat them, join them was the strategy. Enveloped in a second skin, she imitated the creatures around and become stronger with a new symbiotic relationship. What was once a hopeless reality has become a hunting ground for a predator without equal. Now, she’s back to her lands and the question is: on which side is Kai’Sa, Daughter of the Void? Perhaps the answer lies in the many guises she will adopt.

Bullet Angel Kai’Sa
Bullet Angel Kai'Sa Splash Art Bullet Angel Kai'Sa Model
Category: Release
Price: 1350 RP
Concept: Kai’Sa as a space gunner.
Model: New model for Kai’Sa.
Particles: New particles for her helmet toggle, evolving, abilities, auto-attack, respawn, death, joke, taunt and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for her helmet toggle, evolving, abilities, auto-attack, respawn, death, joke, taunt and recall.
Splash Art: For background we have a dazzling spectacle of stars and beams of light with the timid outline of a ship on the left. It’s an eye-catching frame, that can’t be denied, but that’s all it is. There isn’t much meaning to be found: at best, she’s been deployed from her ship; if we dare to imagine. While the deployment is heavy on visuals it’s also light in context.
Kai’Sa, fortunately, does enjoy a very nice portrayal. With great use of light, clear colours and sharp lines she looks fantastic. Well, at least from a distance. If we look close enough we can notice that colours are a bit drab and lines inexact giving away the feel of a draft. Even so, the portrayal is quite appealing. Armour is detailed, surfaces complex and effects abound as the visor and thrusters show. Even the blur added to limbs is reasonable enough to give an idea of speed instead of making everything diffuse. The pose allows a rather good view of her look but it could be better. There’s quite a similarity with PROJECT: Vayne’s splash art and so problems are shared between the pieces. The design similarities with PROJECT: Vayne also don’t help make the splash art feel special and unique. In fact, both skins being presented in a very similar way and with a similar look make this presentation card feel derivative.
For all its faults, this is an effective splash art yet, it does feel like a lesser copy of PROJECT: Vayne’s. Even though there are differences in both presentation and design the familiarity can’t be shaken away which works to the detriment of both splash art and skin’s design unique qualities.
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: From a first glance the sci-fi anime look of Bullet Angel Kai’Sa is clear and a good fit for the name. There’s no doubt that the large thrusters or jets or boosters stand out the most but the whole body has a stylised but sensible design that catches the eye. Armour is centred on the limbs and seems to be more for show than protection; or it could be plates used to stabilise Kai’Sa in flight. The suit underneath doesn’t seem to offer much protection in the sense of armour but strikes as advanced with its colourful design. The helmet is a good fit that does look sturdy and reliable so that Kai’Sa seems rather convincing as a flying hero. The problem is that she doesn’t usually fly so such lengths to show something that only appears in the recall is a bit underwhelming.
Particles are a bit similar to each other separated into projectiles and glows. Projectiles are made of yellow tips with blue trails behind, whether it’s the auto-attack or the abilities; even Void Seeker with its missiles. The look is consistent and the use of two colours makes the abilities pleasing to the eye and not simplistic. However, when abilities which are supposed to be different look like buffed up versions of the auto-attacks, but aren’t, so they disappoint. It also doesn’t help that Kai’Sa shoots rockets and missiles from her boosters without any indication of a launcher on them. Glows take on a grid pattern for the helmet toggle, evolve and the ultimate, Killer Instinct’s shield. This is a simple but attractive design that suits the hi-tech approach of the skin. Shades of blue with an inverted colour feel or translucence are used for Supercharge and Killer Instinct’s dash, respectively. They are similar but the contrasts of colours and the transparencies help the, stand apart from each other. The lack of any grid pattern as in the other cases breaks the design for no good reason. They look distinct in themselves but it feels like a lack of consistency in terms of power ups. The stacks of Second Skin also don’t seem to follow the style. They appear holographic but the design seems more Void-like than digital.
Sounds are of the energy and digital types. The blasts that make up most if not all attacks seem advanced, energy discharges from automatic weapons. They do sound similar for consistency but with different emphasis on tone and length to give each kind of attack its own feel; which works quite well. Highlights include the helmet toggle, evolve and Supercharge which employ energy vibrations to support the visuals with a digital feel. Killer Instinct’s use of a digital blast gives the ability its own personality with a distinct sound. While it doesn’t stand out from the general style it’s appealing and fits in.
The new animation is the recall where Kai’Sa gets all suited up and flies off. It’s straightforward and could even be accused of simplicity but it surely is evocative and effective. It makes good on the promise of flight so prevalent in the model and also makes for a nice display of hi-tech.
Overall, Bullet Angel Kai’Sa is a skin that delivers an attractive suit-powered gunner. The model is futuristic and practical in its fictional style. There’s too much emphasis on the jets for the little demonstrations of flight there are. Also, there’s little indication of additional weaponry even though rockets and missiles are also employed; which makes projectiles’ apparitions a matter of hammer space. Particles and sounds aren’t perfect but work quite well to communicate the hi-tech theme and the animation is a welcome touch. This all leaves Bullet Angel Kai’Sa as a great skin with some minor problems.

K/DA Kai’Sa
K/DA Kai'Sa Splash Art K/DA Kai'Sa Model
Category: Regular
Price: 1350 RP
Concept: Kai’Sa as a K-pop idol.
Model: New model for Kai’Sa and new glow for her boosters.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack, evolving and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attack, evolving, taunt and recall.
Splash Art: The K/DA splash art is a shared splash art which changes focus to each respective member of the team. It should be no surprise then that the background is simplistic and ambiguous. It probably is a garage or exhibition room as per the car Evelynn sits on. There are neon lights to add some style and an opening in the distance but not much personality to be found.
That’s what we find in the K/DA team members. Dressed in sexy clothes and with a lot of attitude sometimes they seem to look at the viewer with disdain; they can even seem ladies that have gone through too much in life. Ahri and Kai’Sa seem to have a good balance with a teasing confidence that can feel playful enough for their role. With regards to their role as singers there’s only the microphone each of them carries so the piece doesn’t make anything of it; the car is an arbitrary addition. Akali’s weapons seem necessary but out of place while Evelynn’s lashers can pass, with some goodwill, for decoration as well as Kai’Sa’s boosters and Ahri’s tails. In spite of the blurred background used each K/DA member is clearly depicted with sharp lines and bright colours. Those that stand to a side in the shared version make difficult having a good look at their appearance, they are too blurred, but in the individual versions a good idea can be got without problem. Perhaps K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition, standing on her own in an empty garage with no car and lots of smoke seems the most simplistic in approach. At least, the appearance of several members at once offsets the weak background to a degree.
On the whole, as a shared splash art with shifting focus it’s rather good. The background is a clear weak point but the portrayals are distinct enough and the way of sharing space isn’t bad even through the focus blurs other members too much; it feels patronising and exaggerated. Still, each K/DA team member has its space to shine, forced but still, so that the presentation is good.
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: The casual clothes make K/DA Kai’Sa look modern but while the new look is nice it doesn’t communicate the musical theme of the skin. The boosters adapted as decoration are a clear classic remnant that doesn’t find a sensible place in the adaptation. Perhaps they could’ve been adapted to decorative strips of cloth or electronic devices for special effects or audio because they don’t collaborate with the theme. There’s also a new mask in place of her helmet which is small, simple and, while it matches the boosters, it doesn’t help the theme.
Particles fare much better thanks to the glowing diamonds that take the place of projectiles. With the added blue trails and numerous highlights there’s an air that reminds of the Hextech line of skins. Similarities aside, auto-attacks and abilities look nice. For example, Second Skin’s area of effect shows animated reflections on the ground which is rather nice. Supercharge’s new blades seem an extension of the boosters but hardly a good choice for improved ranged attacks; not that they are sensible ornamentation either. Killer Instinct’s shield of reflective facets is rather eye-catching albeit brief. It could be said that there isn’t much variety in design but the look is consistent. Lens flare effects for impacts are a clear highlight of the particles and the dusty emanations produced are a nice, though sometimes subtle, extra touch of style.
Sounds use electronic tunes with small distortions for auto-attacks and Supercharge plus stronger ones for abilities. The exception is Icathian Rain where each missile produces a musical tune and together there is some harmony to them. It’s a small addition but one of the clearest references to the musical theme; mostly absent from the skin. The evolve sound is nice, too.
The new recall shows Kai’Sa dancing to a song with reflections covering the floor around her. It’s simple and straightforward as well as a small contributor to the skin’s theme.
All added together, there’s a bit of the musical theme behind K/DA Kai’Sa but scattered thin along the adaptation. For the most part, this is Kai’Sa in modern clothing and with some decorative elements that are unable to explain her more esoteric characteristics. The skin looks and sounds good but also seems unfocused without a proper link between changes. Still, it does have appeal.

K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition
K/DA Kai'Sa  Prestige Edition Splash Art K/DA Kai'Sa Prestige Edition Model
Category: Promotional
Price: 2500 World’s Tokens
Concept: Kai’Sa as a K-pop idol.
Model: New model for Kai’Sa and new glow for her boosters.
Particles: New particles for her abilities, auto-attack, evolving, death and recall.
Animations: New recall animation.
Sounds: New sounds for her abilities, auto-attack, evolving, taunt and recall.
Splash Art: The K/DA splash art is a shared splash art which changes focus to each respective member of the team. It should be no surprise then that the background is simplistic and ambiguous. It probably is a garage or exhibition room as per the car Evelynn sits on. There are neon lights to add some style and an opening in the distance but not much personality to be found.
That’s what we find in the K/DA team members. Dressed in sexy clothes and with a lot of attitude sometimes they seem to look at the viewer with disdain; they can even seem ladies that have gone through too much in life. Ahri and Kai’Sa seem to have a good balance with a teasing confidence that can feel playful enough for their role. With regards to their role as singers there’s only the microphone each of them carries so the piece doesn’t make anything of it; the car is an arbitrary addition. Akali’s weapons seem necessary but out of place while Evelynn’s lashers can pass, with some goodwill, for decoration as well as Kai’Sa’s boosters and Ahri’s tails. In spite of the blurred background used each K/DA member is clearly depicted with sharp lines and bright colours. Those that stand to a side in the shared version make difficult having a good look at their appearance, they are too blurred, but in the individual versions a good idea can be got without problem. Perhaps K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition, standing on her own in an empty garage with no car and lots of smoke seems the most simplistic in approach. At least, the appearance of several members at once offsets the weak background to a degree.
On the whole, as a shared splash art with shifting focus it’s rather good. The background is a clear weak point but the portrayals are distinct enough and the way of sharing space isn’t bad even through the focus blurs other members too much; it feels patronising and exaggerated. Still, each K/DA team member has its space to shine, forced but still, so that the presentation is good.
Rating: Star clip art used in skin reviews at StrategyZero
Conclusion: Although not technically a chroma K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition can very well be considered a chroma plus. Sure, there are some minor model changes, notably the hair and boosters, but the most significant change is the new textures. Through them, Kai’Sa has blonde hair and white clothes with a golden jacket. The model does seem simpler with fewer elements and more spaces filled with a plain colour. The casual clothes and modern style of the normal K/DA Kai’Sa remain but in a less elaborate style; the inability to properly adapt the boosters is there, too.
Particles are identical to K/DA Kai’Sa but the Prestige Edition colours them gold. To be frank, they look quite nice. They manage a different style which emphasises different areas, though at the expense of others. The dusty emanations from impacts are more easily noticed and the light colours allow particles to stand out rather nicely against the background. In fact, abilities and, less so, auto-attacks receive a gold dust effect which is rather eye-catching. Unfortunately, there’s even less contrast between elements in the design of the abilities and auto-attacks. Specifically, the diamonds and trails that compose the particles seem to be one whole thing making the design of abilities and auto-attacks appear simpler than they actually are.
Sounds are unchanged from K/DA Kai’Sa in the Prestige Edition. What was good, like Icathian Rain tunes, remains and what wasn’t, the use of distortions instead of a musical style, sees no fix.
The new recall only changes in particles for the Prestige Edition. The animation is the same used for K/DA Kai’Sa.
All added together, while there are a few things to like it’s clear that the Prestige Edition doesn’t add anything novel on top of K/DA Kai’Sa. It does change a few things and some could be considered nice, like the gold dust effect, even if they aren’t always strictly better. However, considering the grind required to reach 2500 World’s Tokens there’s simply no good reason to go out of one’s way. If it comes, sure, there’s some value to the skin but nowhere near what is asked.

Conclusion

As a release skin, Bullet Angel Kai’Sa is a great offering. It stands apart from the bio-evolved Classic with its technological wonders and does so with consistency. While some areas could’ve better developed the identity the skin is cohesive and attractive. The theme is realised and the result is nothing short of appealing even if it doesn’t manage to be striking. Therefore, Bullet Angel Kai’Sa is a charming skin for fans of sci-fi gunners looking to show their skills on the battlefield.

K/DA Kai’Sa offers good looks and sounds but not a present musical theme. There are some hints in the adaptation but changes seem unfocused instead of working together to realise the concept. Classic remnants aren’t effectively given new meaning so that an unexplained mystical element remains. It has to be admitted that the skin has appeal but only as long as we concentrate on individual, interesting features.

K/Da Kai’Sa Prestige Edition only changes a few things over K/DA Kai’Sa. While there are some things to like in a few areas, the gold dust effect mainly, others feel lacking or remain identical. Given the grind required to get the skin it surely isn’t something worth an effort. If it comes, it has some value but nothing comparable to what is asked.

  21 Responses to “League of Legends: Kai’Sa Skins’ Review”

  1. Gonna buy Bullet Angel Kai’sa skin :3 Thank you for solidifying my decision

  2. Just a quick question. I was planning to buy Kai’Sa’s bundle pack with the chromas since it gives 27% off value however I’m not sure if the chromas are worth it. What are your opinions on the Bullet Angel chromas? Thanks.

    • We recommend getting chromas during IP sales because they tend not to offer much. There are exceptions but given their price in RP you could just buy a skin with the expense. Specifically speaking about Bullet Angel Kai’Sa’s chromas, we think they are alright. They don’t push the envelope but the different colour schemes are different enough to each other. It’s all the same design but with some little changes here and there which makes the chromas interesting as a change of look.

      There’s nothing deep in the chromas but if you plan to play a lot of Bullet Angel Kai’Sa they do offer some variety. It’s probably something for the dedicated fan which would see the same skin time and again. If you are expecting to get or trying not to miss something special then you shouldn’t worry because the chromas aren’t that elaborate.

  3. Hey Zero

    What are your thoughts on K/DA Kai sa and its prestige edition?

    • K/DA Kai’Sa is a good skin. We expected better as it doesn’t fully integrate her symbiotic suit into the adaptation. For example, her boosters as decoration are just there. They look like classic remnants and aren’t taken advantage of.

      The Prestige Edition has some nice features, the particles mainly. However, neither the change is radical nor is the skin so different and impressive as to justify the grind necessary. If money is involved, on top, then it’s simply something only for the most dedicated collectors, perhaps.

      • Ok. I read your review. I just wanted to know if Prestige Kai Sa was a standalone piece (and also cost only 1350 RP) would it have the same rating as the normal K/DA one?

        • If K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition were a skin priced at 1350 RP then we think it would probably get three stars. It could be considered as the Lancer Rogue and Lancer Paragon skins for Blitzcrank. Each skin has some good features and some bad. While the sparkle of gold dust is nice on Prestige Edition on K/DA the abilities’ design comes through more clearly.

  4. Hello Zero, it has been forever but it’s Mettaton, as I used to call myself everywhere.

    I’ve been quiet for so long, yet still visiting, but now I just have to say something about Prestige Kaisa – your first 1 star in like, what, 6 years?
    I just think you’re looking at the skin too much as a chroma of KDA Kaisa and not its own skin. I know in theory it is a chroma+ but they’re marketed as two separate skins.

    Right now I am 100 tokens away from the required amount, 14 days from the deadline, and I’ve not been playing what would be considered excessive amounts more than 2-3 days at most, and even then it’s not like I played all day. I just feel that you’re putting too much weight on the token grind, which I also thought would be too heavy until a week or two ago when I realized where I stood.

    Of course, it technically costed 1650 RP to get the tokens, but for that RP there were orbs, an icon and the tokens required go down to 2300. The value of an orb seems to be ~300 RP, so that’s technically 450 RP added to obtaining the skin. (not counting the icon or extra tokens)
    Bear in mind so far I’ve also crafted 2 wards and an icon, which would narrow me down to a total of about 2750 tokens right now.

    Additionally, the skin is available in the same manner as all the mythic skins, and I don’t doubt it’ll be available to craft for 10 gems in the future. I wonder what your review would be like if the skin was released simply as a mythic skin like all the others, and the regular KDA Kaisa be ignored entirely.

    • Hello, we understand your point of view but we still don’t like the way this affair is handled from the perspective of the client. If it costs 1650 RP it’s already expensive and it’s a special skin that won’t go on sale and has limited availability. On top of that, you do have to grind a bit. In our view, the skin ends up being unique for how difficult it is to obtain rather than how different and interesting it is.

      If K/DA Kai’Sa Prestige Edition were sold on its own then it would be a different matter. At a glance, we could say that it’d be a three star skin akin to the Lancer Rogue and Lancer Paragon skins for Blitzcrank. It isn’t, though. Worse yet, it’s a different version of an existing product not a reinterpretation like the Lancer skins for Blitz try to be. At least Victorious skins, which could be considered an example of grinding, are made on their own.

      The point is that the Prestige Edition doesn’t separate itself that much from K/DA Kai’Sa and we don’t see what’s so special about it. It has some nice features but the difficulty in acquiring the skin isn’t justified by the result. It’s just our view on the matter and are open to seeing it in a different way. However, from the point of the player, it doesn’t look that good.

  5. Haven’t seen Prestige K/DA for myself, but considering that to get it you either have to spend a fuckton of money or have spent some less money *and* your life away grinding for 1 month before actually seeing the final skin… it had to be one of the best in the game, if not the best

    • Unfortunately, it isn’t. It should be, we agree, but that’s not the case. Perhaps the grind isn’t that bad but there’s a grind nonetheless. Considering what the skin offers, we don’t think it’s justified.

  6. Well yikes, I am understand the 1* stuff but it’s quite harsh.

    By the way, I have a weird feeling the next 1* (maybe 2 if they don’t force you to grind it) end up to Prestige K/DA Akali. I don’t know if Riot decide to release more Prestige K/DA to Ahri and Evelynn either.

    Do you have a comment about it ? I feel like Riot is milking it.

    • It’s harsh but a skin should feel special because of how well it’s done not just the difficulty in getting it. Depending on the price, which a grind is part of, we will evaluate how many stars K/DA Akali Prestige Edition. We just hope the skin is less cumbersome to get and is more interesting than a chroma+. We’ll see if Riot is stretching things too thin or actually improving them.

  7. Hello:) how about the new iG Kaisa skin review? really2 want to know about it

  8. Can you guys review IG kaisa?

    • We’ll try to do so as soon as we are able. We are delayed with reviews so if you have any specific questions we’ll be gladly answer.

  9. Hiya, I know you’re delayed, but I’d really appreciate your thoughts on Arcade Kai’Sa. I’m not sure I like it well enough to make it my Kai’Sa skin option, since the boosters don’t seem to make sense to me, from a standpoint of launching Icathian Rain and Void Seeker.

    Also, her evolve animation seems to be changed, but I could see it having a glowing body effect type of thing as well, to evoke some classic arcade style power-up effects, you know?

    Finally, I like the new death animation.

    Again, I’d appreciate your thoughts on the new Arcade Kai’Sa skin. Thanks.

    • Also, I just realized that the markings on her face are absent with the Arcade Kai’Sa skin…

      And her Joke still has a Voidling frog, instead of an Arcade-ized frog… 🙁

    • We’ve given the skin a quick look and we are disappointed to see that the adaptation is forced on her. It simply uses the usual elements of pixels and controller and adds them to Kai’Sa without regard of what fits. Imagine instead if the skin drew from Megaman, for example, to realise her 8-bit style.

      The problem is that it’s a standardised approach to making a skin and the result suffers for it. There are some nice changes, like the respawn and death as you mention, but the core of the skin doesn’t convince. We reserve final judgement but we aren’t happy with what we’ve just seen.

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