Ultimate Support Guide: Master Tahm Kench - The Protective River King

Ultimate Support Guide: Master Tahm Kench - The Protective River King

By Marcus Chen

February 28, 2025 at 01:25 AM

An invaluable support champion, Tahm Kench excels at protecting allies while disrupting enemies through his unique defensive playstyle. Despite being commonly mistaken for a toplaner or frog, this catfish champion is particularly effective against CC-heavy supports and assassins.

Core Abilities Overview

Tongue Lash (Q)

  • Deals damage and slows enemies
  • Provides minor healing
  • Stuns targets with 3 Exquisite Taste stacks

Dive Into the Abyss (W)

  • AOE knockup ability
  • Long animation with visible landing spot
  • Effective follow-up to Tongue Lash slow

Thick Skin (E)

  • Converts damage into "gray health"
  • Health regenerates after avoiding damage
  • Can be activated for a temporary shield

Devour (R)

  • Can swallow enemies with 3 stacks, dealing damage
  • Allows ally protection without requiring stacks
  • Grants shield to allies upon exit
  • Directional spitting available
  • Can be combined with W for extended mobility

Optimal Skill Priority

  1. Tongue Lash (Q)
  2. Dive Into the Abyss (W)
  3. Thick Skin (E)

Strategic Positioning

  • Maintain medium range in lane
  • Stay close to ADC for protection
  • Use Q to poke and set up engages
  • Combine abilities to maximize CC chain

Core Build Path Starting Items:

  • Steel Shoulderguards
  • Health Potions

Main Items:

  • Locket of the Iron Solari
  • Dead Man's Plate
  • Warmog's Armor

Situational Items:

  • Knight's Vow
  • Zeke's Convergence
  • Anathema's Chains

Focus on tank items that provide both survivability and team utility, prioritizing items that help protect allies while maintaining strong defensive stats.

Playstyle Tips

  • Use Q to poke and slow enemies
  • Save R for protecting allies or securing kills
  • Coordinate W with team for maximum impact
  • Track enemy CC cooldowns before engaging
  • Maintain awareness of ally positions for quick saves

Tahm Kench excels in defensive setups but can also enable aggressive plays through proper ability combinations and positioning. His unique ability to protect allies while threatening enemies makes him a valuable support pick in the right team composition.

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