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| Rarity | (Limited) |
| Element | Dendro |
| Weapon | Claymore |
| Role | Nightsoul Main DPS |
| Priority | CRIT > ATK > Dendro DMG |
| Tier | T0 (Burning/Burgeon) |
Kinich is a Huitztlan Saurian Hunter who brings a retro 8-bit gaming aesthetic to Natlan. He specializes in a unique "Nightsoul" state where he grapples enemies and swings around them, firing Dendro shots. He scales purely off ATK and thrives in Burning or Burgeon teams alongside Emilie or Pyro applicators.
Pros
- Unique and fun grappling hook playstyle.
- Extremely high single-target DPS via "Spine-Defier" shots.
- Free 40% Crit Rate from Obsidian Codex artifact set.
- Synergizes perfectly with Emilie and Bennett.
- Excellent overworld mobility (can grapple mid-air).
Cons
- Requires specific "Burning" aura to generate Nightsoul points fast.
- Gameplay can be disorienting (camera spins around enemy).
- Relies on Burst for AoE; Skill is strictly single-target.
- Very dependent on Bennett for ATK buffs.
Quick Guide (TL;DR)
The Goal: Use E to grapple, then spam Normal Attacks to generate Nightsoul points. When the gauge is full, fire a massive "Scalespiker Cannon" shot (E).
- Best Artifact: 4pc Obsidian Codex (40% Crit Rate is unbeatable).
- Alt Artifact: 4pc Unfinished Reverie (Good if not using Nightsoul mechanics well, but niche).
- Best Weapon: Fang of the Mountain King (Signature).
- Alt Weapon: Serpent Spine (BP) or Beacon of the Reed Sea.
- F2P Weapon: Earth Shaker (Craftable Natlan Claymore).
- Main Stats: ATK% / Dendro DMG / CRIT DMG.
- Talent Priority: Elemental Skill > Elemental Burst > Normal Attack.
Pro Tip: Blind Spot Mechanic: While swinging, a green "Blind Spot" zone appears near the enemy. Slide into this zone to instantly generate Nightsoul points, allowing you to fire your big cannon shot (E) much faster.
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Top Up Secure & Fast via GameChargeAscension & Talent Materials
| Category | Material Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ascension | Saurian Claw Succulent | Natlan Wilds |
| Boss Drop | Overripe Flamegranade | Gluttonous Yumkasaur Mountain King |
| Talents | Teachings of Kindling | Natlan Talent Domain (Tue/Fri) |
| Mob Drop | Juvenile Fang | Natlan Saurians |
Talent Mechanics
Elemental Skill: Canopy Hunter: Riding High
- Grapple: Fires a hook. If it hits an enemy, Kinich enters "Nightsoul's Blessing" state and links to them for 10s.
- Loop Shots: Normal Attacks act as "Loop Shots" (Dendro DMG) while swinging. This generates Nightsoul points.
- Scalespiker Cannon (E): When Nightsoul points are maxed, press E to fire a massive Dendro laser. You want to trigger this as many times as possible (usually 4 times per rotation).
- Blind Spots: Slide into the green zones to gain points instantly.
Elemental Burst: Hail to the Almighty Dragonlord
- Ajaw Unleashed: Unleashes K'uhul Ajaw (his pixel dragon companion).
- AoE Damage: Ajaw unleashes periodic AoE Dendro Breath attacks.
- Duration: Lasts 15s. It persists even if Kinich swaps off-field.
Important Passives
- A1: Flame Spirit Pact: If an enemy is hit by Burning or Burgeon, Kinich gains 7 Nightsoul points (cd 0.8s). This is why he needs Pyro teammates.
- A4: Hunter's Experience: Increases the DMG of his Scalespiker Cannon by 320% of his ATK after a Nightsoul Burst triggers.
Constellation Value
| Constellation | Value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| C1: Parrot's Beak | Good | Increases movement speed while swinging by 30% (easier to hit Blind Spots) and buffs Cannon Crit DMG by 100%. |
| C2: Tiger Beetle's Palm | Meta Defining | Elemental Skill hits decrease enemy Dendro RES by 30%. Also, the first Cannon shot has increased AoE and DMG. Massive boost for him and Emilie. |
| C6: Auspicious Beast's Shape | Nuke | Cannon shots bounce between enemies dealing 700% ATK damage. Turns his single-target skill into a nuke fest. |
Verdict: C0 is excellent. C1 makes gameplay smoother. C2 is one of the best constellations in the game for Dendro teams.
Stat Requirements
| Stat | Goal |
|---|---|
| ATK | 2200+ (He scales purely on ATK) |
| Crit Rate | 40-60% (Obsidian Codex gives +40% for free) |
| Crit DMG | 200%+ (Stack as much as possible) |
Artifact Main Stats:
- Sands: ATK%
- Goblet: Dendro DMG Bonus
- Circlet: CRIT DMG (Since set gives Rate)
Artifacts Comparison
| Set | Use Case | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 4pc Obsidian Codex | Best in Slot | Tailor-made for Natlan characters. Gives 15% DMG bonus and a massive 40% CRIT Rate when consuming Nightsoul points (which he does constantly). |
| 4pc Unfinished Reverie | Alternative | Provides 50% DMG Bonus if Burning exists. Good stat stick, but losing 40% Crit Rate from Codex is hard to balance. |
| 4pc Deepwood Memories | Avoid | Kinich is a pure carry. Let your support (Dehya/Thoma/Bennett/Emilie) hold Deepwood to shred resistance for him. |
Weapon Rankings
| Weapon | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fang of the Mountain King | S+ | Signature. Huge Crit Rate and buffs Elemental Skill/Burst damage based on Burning. |
| Serpent Spine (R5) | S | Battle Pass weapon. At R5, it rivals R1 signature weapons if you can maintain stacks (Bennett helps). |
| Beacon of the Reed Sea | S- | High Crit Rate stick and ATK buffs. |
| Earth Shaker (R5) | A+ | Craftable Natlan Claymore. Designed for him. Buffs Skill DMG when triggering Pyro reactions. Excellent F2P choice. |
| Wolf's Gravestone | A | Solid ATK stick, but lacks DMG% and Crit. |
Teams
Burning Core (The Standard)
- Kinich (Main DPS)
- Emilie (Sub-DPS / Deepwood Holder)
- Bennett (Heal / Huge ATK Buff)
- Dehya / Thoma / Xiangling (Pyro Application)
This team ensures constant Burning to fuel Kinich's Nightsoul generation and Emilie's damage.
Burgeon
- Kinich (Driver)
- Xingqiu / Yelan (Hydro)
- Thoma (Burgeon Trigger / Shield)
- Bennett (Buff)
Rotation
The Loop:Supports (Emilie/Bennett/Pyro) Setup > Kinich E (Grapple) > N (Swing) until Max Points > Kinich E (Cannon) > Repeat until duration ends > Kinich Q
Note: Prioritize sliding into "Blind Spots" (Green zones) whenever they appear. This generates points instantly and lets you fire the Cannon immediately.
FAQ
Does he work in Quicken/Spread?
Not well. His Nightsoul generation passive (A1) specifically requires Burning or Burgeon. Playing Spread drastically lowers his damage output because he shoots fewer Cannons.
Is Obsidian Codex mandatory?
It is significantly better than other sets. 40% Crit Rate is massive. If you don't have it, Unfinished Reverie is okay, or 2pc/2pc ATK/Dendro, but farm the Codex!
Do I need Emilie?
Emilie is his best teammate, but she is not mandatory. You can use Xiangling, Dehya, or Thoma to maintain the Burning aura, but team damage will be lower.
Data Source: KQM Standards. Last Updated: December 2025
