The hype train for Kayn has dwindled as many feebly attempt to master the new champion. He's seen a little light in the LCS scene, but his play there hasn't solved the issue for many. 

People are still wondering how to use him properly. 

Kayn can work mid, a few people have forced him top, and a majority play him jungle, but he's best at jungle. This guide will teach you how to Kayn jungle.

Kayn's Transformation

He can only transform once per game from two options: Shadow Assassin and Darkin. 

Shadow Assassin:

The goal is to kill squishy champions. In this form, you're trying to close the gap and stay close by having either maximum mobility or maximum damage, because you're a high burst champion.

Tanks should be avoided when you choose this form unless it's early to mid game, and you're beyond fed.

Darkin:

The goal is to disrupt with your damage and utility. In this form, your ultimate acts as an execution, and you shouldn't focus on a single targetin this form as you want to use the Black Clever's passive on any and all targets you can get your hands on. 

Runes

As lethality is meta, going all lethality Quintessences and Marks are your best bet. You can choose flat AD because it will lead to a faster clear in the early game, but lethality will scale better into the mid and late game. 

Since you're in the jungle, going with scaling Magic Resist Glyphs and Greater Seals of Scaling Health is probably the way to go if you have a rune page you'd like to dedicate to.

However, if you're worried about clearing jungle without the flat AD, as long as you have your Q and you kite the monsters, you should stick to lethality. 

If you know you're going to be invaded often, then the flat AD may be better as well so you don't fall behind.

Masteries

I've seen it time and time again -- Fervor is not the way to go on Kayn. 

As surprising as this may sound to some, your masteries should be 12-18-0 rather than 18-12-0. First, a majority of his damage is done with abilities and not auto attacks. It's why the sorcery page is better.

Thunderlord's Decree is viable as it helps you produce more damage, but he's an all-in champion, so it's not entirely necessary. 

It is up to you, and dependent on the enemy team comp. If there is a chance of you being kited, as it is a notable weakness for Kayn, Stormraider's Surge is your best bet because you can close that gap with ease as you ensure the kill. 

Items:

Depending on what you need in the game by either fighting other champions or early gank pressure, you'll want to choose between Stalker's Blade and Skirmisher's Sabre. 

Core Items:

  • ​Enchantment: Warrior
  • Black Cleaver

Boots:

  • ​Boots of Swiftness
  • Ninja Tabi
  • Mercury's Treads

Situational Items for Shadow Assassin:

  • ​Duskblade of Draktharr
  • Lord Dominik's Regards/Mortal Reminder
  • Maw of Malmortius
  • Death's Dance
  • Guardian Angel
  • Mercurial Scimitar
  • Edge of Night

Situational Items for Darkin:

  • ​Death's Dance
  • Sterak's Gage
  • Randuin's Omen
  • Thornmail
  • Guardian Angel

In Game

After a full clear and you've hit level four, you'll want to try to gank the lane closest to you (so whichever side is the blue buff is on most likely). If the lanes are pushed and there are no prime opportunities, the Rift Scuttler is your next best choice. Once you've killed it, feel free to try to gank a lane again or grab the other Scuttler for your team. 

Don't forget to put some deep wards into the jungle for your team! 

If you're getting invaded, get a deep ward in and once you spot them at your camps, go ahead and take their camps. Just make sure you have wards and you keep your eyes on the minimap so you're not punished for staying too long. 

You'll want to obtain enough souls for Kayn's transformation ASAP, so make sure to spam ping where you want to go and ping for assistance from your nearest ally. When it hits mid game, make sure you apply pressure by killing, warding, and aggressively threatening or taking objectives. 

Late game fights depend on your form. If you're Shadow Assassin, you can continue to kill the backline through flanks or punishing their positioning. If you're Rhaast, you become a bruiser and you just want to disrupt the enemy team from killing your backline, and deal as much damage as possible to as many people as possible. Your ult is an HP reset, so use it as one.

When the late game hits, outplaying the enemy team in fights and vision control is how you win because you will not have the damage you had during the early and mid games. 

Simply put: Kayn is fine early, shines during mid game, and requires skill in the late.

Photo courtesy of Riot Games, Rankedboost,