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The Starter Champions of RAID: Shadow Legends: Your Path to Victory

So, you’re diving into the vast and captivating world of RAID: Shadow Legends? Excellent choice! One of the first, and arguably most crucial, decisions you’ll make is selecting your starting champion. This initial hero will be your primary damage dealer and backbone of your team in the early game. Let’s get straight to the point:

The four starting champions in RAID: Shadow Legends are Kael (Dark Elves), Elhain (High Elves), Athel (The Sacred Order), and Galek (Orcs). Each champion belongs to a different faction, boasts unique skills, and offers a distinct playstyle. The “best” choice depends somewhat on personal preference and long-term strategy, but some are generally considered more powerful than others. We will explore each champion in detail.

Meet the Champions: A Detailed Overview

Choosing the right starter champion significantly impacts your early progression in RAID: Shadow Legends. Understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and potential will help you make an informed decision.

Kael: The Poison Master (Dark Elves)

Kael is widely considered the best starting champion due to his exceptional damage output, especially against the Clan Boss and in dungeons. His kit focuses on poison debuffs, which deal damage based on the enemy’s max HP, making him incredibly effective against tanky opponents. His AoE (Area of Effect) abilities also help clear waves of enemies quickly. He is generally the easiest starter champion to build effectively for all areas of early to mid-game content.

Skills:
- Dark Bolt (A1): Attacks 1 enemy. 35% chance of placing a 2.5% [Poison] debuff for 2 turns.
- Acid Rain (A2): Attacks all enemies. 40% chance of placing a 50% [Decrease DEF] debuff for 2 turns. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
- Void Blast (A3): Attacks 4 times at random. 25% chance of placing a 2.5% [Poison] debuff for 2 turns. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
Strengths: Excellent damage dealer, especially against Clan Boss. Effective in dungeons due to poison debuffs and AoE. Versatile champion suitable for various content.
Weaknesses: Relies on debuffs, making him less effective against enemies with high resistance or immunity to poison.

Elhain: The Critical Striker (High Elves)

Elhain is a solid choice for beginners, particularly those who prefer a more straightforward, damage-focused playstyle. Her strength lies in her high critical hit rate and damage potential. She excels in the arena and campaign, quickly eliminating weaker enemies. Her primary damage skill, Double Edge, hits twice and her AoE skill, Lightning Arrow, makes clearing campaign waves relatively easy.

Skills:
- Lancing Strike (A1): Attacks 1 enemy. 35% chance of placing a 15% [Decrease SPD] debuff for 2 turns.
- Double Edge (A2): Attacks 1 enemy 2 times. (Cooldown: 3 turns)
- Lightning Arrow (A3): Attacks all enemies. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
Strengths: High damage output against single targets. Good for clearing campaign stages. Decent in arena battles.
Weaknesses: Less effective against tanky enemies compared to Kael. Lacks debuffs other than a speed decrease which makes her less useful later in the game.

Athel: The Balanced Warrior (The Sacred Order)

Athel is a well-rounded champion with a mix of damage and support capabilities. Her Holy Light skill provides self-healing, making her more survivable than Elhain or Galek. However, her overall damage output is lower compared to Kael and Elhain. While decent, her skillset does not make her as optimal for the early or late game.

Skills:
- Strike Down (A1): Attacks 1 enemy. 30% chance of placing a 30% [Decrease DEF] debuff for 2 turns.
- Higher Power (A2): Attacks 1 enemy. Heals this Champion by 30% of the damage inflicted. (Cooldown: 3 turns)
- Divine Blades (A3): Attacks all enemies. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
Strengths: Self-healing ability improves survivability. Decrease defense debuff is useful for increasing team damage.
Weaknesses: Lower damage output compared to Kael and Elhain. Less specialized than the other starter champions.

Galek: The Aggressive Orc (Orcs)

Galek is an aggressive attacker with a focus on AoE damage. His skills are designed to quickly eliminate groups of enemies. However, he is generally considered the weakest starting champion due to his lower overall damage output and lack of utility compared to the others. His damage is dependent on landing critical hits, which can be unreliable early on.

Skills:
- Brutal Slash (A1): Attacks 1 enemy. 40% chance of placing a 25% [Weaken] debuff for 2 turns.
- Hellraiser (A2): Attacks 1 enemy. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
- Whirlwind of Death (A3): Attacks all enemies. (Cooldown: 4 turns)
Strengths: Good AoE damage for clearing campaign stages. Weaken debuff can be helpful for increasing team damage.
Weaknesses: Lower overall damage output. Relies on critical hits. Least versatile of the starter champions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify your understanding of the starting champions in RAID: Shadow Legends and help you make an informed decision:

Which starter champion is the easiest to gear?

Kael is often considered the easiest to gear effectively. While all starters benefit from early-game Attack, Critical Rate, and Critical Damage, Kael’s reliance on poison allows him to deal significant damage even without perfect gear optimization. He also functions as a great campaign farmer and easily clears 12-3 on brutal, which is best for farming gear.
Can I still be successful if I didn’t choose Kael?

Absolutely! While Kael is often recommended, Elhain, Athel, and Galek can all be successful with proper investment and strategy. You might need to focus on different aspects of the game early on, but each champion can progress through the content.
Should I use my Skill Tomes on my starter champion?

Yes, using Skill Tomes on your starter champion is generally a good investment, especially for Kael or Elhain. Skill Tomes reduce cooldowns and increase the effectiveness of their skills, significantly boosting their performance. Focus on fully booking your starter champion’s key damage skills first. This will make farming easier, allowing you to obtain more resources.
What are the best masteries for my starter champion?

The optimal masteries depend on the champion and your game progression, but generally, you’ll want to focus on offense and support masteries. For Kael, focus on damage and accuracy masteries to maximize his poison debuff application. For Elhain, prioritize critical damage and attack masteries.
How important is Accuracy for my starter champion?

Accuracy is crucial for applying debuffs, especially for Kael. As you progress, enemies will have higher resistance, making it more difficult to land debuffs. Aim for sufficient accuracy to consistently apply poison and decrease defense debuffs. If you use Kael as your starter, you should aim for at least 150 accuracy.
Can I use my starter champion in the late game?

Yes! Kael can be used in Faction Wars. However, most players move on to better characters in the late game. However, Kael can be used for the long game and it will take time and resources to build up other heroes that will be more powerful.
What is the “best” gear set for my starter champion early on?

Early on, prioritize Attack sets and Critical Rate sets. Lifesteal is also a good choice for increasing survivability in the campaign. As you progress, you can transition to more specialized sets like Savage, Cruel, or Speed, depending on the champion and their role in your team.
Should I level up my starter champion to 6 stars?

Yes, definitely! Leveling your starter champion to 6 stars is a priority. It significantly increases their stats, making them much more effective in all areas of the game. 6-starring your starter champion is one of the first main goals for beginners.
What is the best stage to farm experience for my starter champion?

The best stage to farm experience is typically Brimstone Path (Chapter 12) on Brutal difficulty. Stage 6 offers the most experience per energy spent. If you cannot consistently farm Brutal, farm on Hard difficulty until you are strong enough.
How do I get better gear for my starter champion?

You can obtain better gear by farming campaign stages, completing challenges and quests, participating in events, and opening shards. Focus on farming Dragon’s Lair dungeon to obtain Speed gear and Fire Knight for Lifesteal Gear, two common and important early game sets.
Is it worth investing in other champions early on, or should I focus solely on my starter?

While your starter champion is crucial, it’s also essential to develop other champions to support them. Focus on building a team of 4-5 champions that complement each other’s skills. Early game champions like Warmaiden and Spirithost can significantly improve your team’s effectiveness.
What is the best way to acquire new champions in the early game?

The best way to acquire new champions is by opening shards. Mystery shards are plentiful and can provide common and uncommon champions. Ancient shards offer a chance at rare, epic, and legendary champions. Focus on completing daily and weekly quests to earn shards.
How important is speed for my starter champion?

Speed is a crucial stat for most champions in RAID: Shadow Legends, including your starter. Increasing your champion’s speed allows them to take more turns, deal more damage, and apply more debuffs. Focus on increasing your starter’s speed through gear, substats, and great hall bonuses.
Can I reset my account if I don’t like my starting champion?

Yes, you can reset your account and choose a different starting champion if you’re not happy with your initial choice. However, consider the time and effort you’ve already invested before making this decision. This is usually a good idea for players that choose Galek as their starter.
Where can I learn more about RAID: Shadow Legends strategies and champion builds?

There are many resources available online, including YouTube channels, websites, and community forums dedicated to RAID: Shadow Legends. Additionally, websites such as GamesLearningSociety.org offer insights into the educational aspects of gaming and game design. Don’t hesitate to explore these resources to improve your game knowledge and strategies.

Choosing your starting champion is just the beginning of your adventure in RAID: Shadow Legends. Experiment, strategize, and have fun building your ultimate team!

Who are the 4 starting champions in RAID: Shadow Legends?