Does Rakan Give Blue or Red Orbs in League of Legends? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: Rakan grants red orbs to Kayn. This is because, despite an earlier classification, Rakan is now firmly established as a melee champion in League of Legends. Kayn’s transformation is determined by the type of champions he damages; melee champions yield red orbs, leading to the Rhaast (Darkin) form, while ranged champions yield blue orbs, leading to the Shadow Assassin form. This updated classification directly influences Kayn’s transformation path when interacting with Rakan.

Understanding Kayn’s Transformation: A Deep Dive

Kayn, the Shadow Reaper, boasts a unique mechanic that allows him to transform into one of two distinct forms: Rhaast, the Darkin Scythe (Red Kayn), or Shadow Assassin (Blue Kayn). This transformation isn’t merely cosmetic; it drastically alters his abilities and playstyle. The form Kayn takes is determined by the type of champions he attacks during the early to mid-game phase.

Red Orbs vs. Blue Orbs: The Core Mechanic

The core of Kayn’s transformation lies in collecting orbs. These orbs are generated when Kayn damages enemy champions. **Damaging *melee* champions generates *red orbs, contributing towards the Rhaast transformation. Conversely, **damaging *ranged* champions generates *blue orbs, pushing Kayn closer to becoming the Shadow Assassin. It’s important to note that the damage must be dealt to *champions*, not minions or monsters, for orbs to be generated.

How the Melee/Ranged Classification Affects Kayn

The melee or ranged classification of a champion is the sole determinant of which type of orb they grant to Kayn. A champion’s auto-attack range is the deciding factor in the classification.

• Melee Champions: Champions with a base auto-attack range below 350 are considered melee. Therefore, damaging these champions will grant Kayn red orbs.
• Ranged Champions: Champions with a base auto-attack range equal to or above 350 are considered ranged. Damaging them will grant Kayn blue orbs.

It is crucial to know that certain exceptions can occur because of champion transformations and the ability scaling, such as Kayle or Jayce.

Rakan’s Classification: From Ranged to Melee

Originally, there was some ambiguity surrounding Rakan’s classification due to his gameplay style and abilities. However, Rakan has since been definitively classified as a melee champion. This means that regardless of any perceived ranged elements in his kit, he will consistently grant red orbs to Kayn upon being damaged.

Optimizing Your Kayn Pathing: Targeting the Right Champions

Understanding which champions give which orbs is essential for optimizing your Kayn gameplay. If you are aiming for the Shadow Assassin form, you need to prioritize ganking and fighting ranged champions, such as ADCs, mages, and supports with long-range abilities. Conversely, if you want to transform into Rhaast, focus on engaging with melee champions, such as top laners, melee supports, and bruisers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kayn’s Orb System

1. Does RFC (Rapid Firecannon) affect orb generation for Kayn?

No, Rapid Firecannon does not affect orb generation. Kayn’s orb generation is based on a champion’s base auto-attack range, not their range after modifications. Therefore, even if RFC temporarily increases a champion’s range, it won’t change the type of orb they grant.

2. Does Nilah give red or blue orbs to Kayn?

Nilah gives red orbs to Kayn. Her base auto-attack range is below 350, classifying her as a melee champion.

3. Does Kayle always give blue orbs?

No, Kayle does not always give blue orbs. Before level 6, Kayle is considered a melee champion and grants red orbs. After reaching level 6 and gaining her ranged auto-attacks, she is classified as a ranged champion and grants blue orbs.

4. What if a champion has an ability that temporarily increases their range?

Similar to RFC, temporary range increases from abilities do not affect orb generation. It is solely based on their base range or the range when the damage is dealt (e.g., Kayle’s level).

5. If I hit a champion with both melee and ranged attacks, which orb do I get?

Kayn’s orb generation is based on the type of champion you are damaging, not the specific attack used.

6. What is Kayn’s best transformation form?

The “best” form depends entirely on the enemy team composition. Shadow Assassin is generally preferred against squishy teams with multiple ranged carries, allowing you to quickly burst down high-priority targets. Rhaast, on the other hand, excels against tankier teams with multiple melee champions, providing sustain and crowd control.

7. Is Kayn hard to learn?

Kayn is considered to have a moderate learning curve. His mechanics are relatively straightforward, but mastering his jungle pathing, understanding which form to take in different situations, and effectively using his E (Shadow Step) require practice and game knowledge.

8. What are Kayn’s strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths: High mobility, flexible build path, strong carry potential in both forms, can adapt to different team compositions. Weaknesses: Weak early game, vulnerable to early invades, reliant on choosing the correct form, can struggle against heavy crowd control.

9. Who are Kayn’s counters?

Strong early-game junglers who can invade and shut him down before he transforms are good counters to Kayn. Some examples include Poppy, Ivern, Fiddlesticks, Master Yi, and Nocturne.

10. Who does Kayn counter?

Kayn excels against champions who are vulnerable to assassination or lack mobility. Examples of champions that Kayn can counter include Brand, Sejuani, Shyvana, Warwick, and Jax.

11. How do I optimize my Kayn jungle path?

A common Kayn jungle path is a full clear starting on the Red Buff to maximize experience and gold. Prioritize efficient pathing and ganking lanes with champions that offer the desired orbs for your chosen form.

12. Is Kayn better than Warwick?

The effectiveness of Kayn compared to Warwick depends on the specific game and player skill. Warwick generally has a stronger early game and is easier to play. However, Kayn has higher carry potential and offers more flexibility in his build path. Against Warwick, Kayn has a winrate of 51.9%.

13. Is Kayn good against tanks?

Rhaast (Red Kayn) is specifically designed to be effective against tanks. His % health damage, sustain, and crowd control allow him to shred through tanky targets.

14. How do I get better at playing Kayn?

Practice your jungle clear, focus on efficient ganking, learn to adapt your form choice based on the enemy team composition, and study high-elo Kayn players to learn advanced techniques. You can also consult the GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about the game.

15. What items are core on Kayn?

Core items on Kayn typically include Warrior Enchant, Black Cleaver, and Ghostblade. The specific build path can vary depending on the chosen form and the enemy team composition. For Shadow Assassin, prioritize lethality items. For Rhaast, prioritize bruiser items with sustain and health.

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of Kayn’s orb system is crucial for mastering this versatile champion. By knowing which champions grant red or blue orbs, players can strategically path and gank to achieve their desired transformation and dominate the Rift. Remember that Rakan gives red orbs, and happy climbing!