Kayn

Kayn is a champion in the team-based video game League of Legends, developed by Riot Games. Introduced in 2017, he is a melee assassin known for wielding a sentient Darkin weapon and for a distinctive ability to shift between two alternate forms during a game.

The defining feature of Kayn’s kit is his dual-form system. He can transform into Shadow Assassin or into Rhaast, the Darkin scythe, and each form changes his playstyle and abilities. The form Kayn develops is influenced by the essence he collects from the battlefield, with blue essence typically aligning him with Shadow Assassin and red essence aligning him with Rhaast. Once a form is established, it shapes his combat approach for the remainder of the match.

Shadow Assassin emphasizes mobility and burst damage. This form favors quick engages and rapid disengagement, enabling Kayn to strike vulnerable targets and reposition efficiently. Rhaast, in contrast, centers on sustained trades and survivability, offering lifesteal and stronger in-fight presence, making him a tougher duelist in close combat.

In gameplay, Kayn is commonly played in the jungle, where his mobility and form-switching capability allow him to influence skirmishes and map pressure. His kit supports hit-and-run tactics, efficient farming, and making decisive plays across lanes. The two-form mechanic contributes to a high skill ceiling, requiring players to decide when to pursue either form and how best to adapt to the evolving flow of the game.

Lore-wise, Kayn is a Darkin warrior bound to Rhaast’s weapon. The Darkin are ancient, sentient weapon-bearers in Runeterra, with Kayn’s story exploring power, choice, and control over a dangerous artifact.