When you first enter the world of RAID: Shadow Legends, one of the most important choices you’ll make is selecting your starter champion. These champions—Kael, Elhain, Galek, and Athel, serve as the foundation of your early game progress. Your decision affects how quickly you’ll clear campaign stages, farm gear, and unlock critical game modes like Dungeons, Faction Wars, and Clan Boss battles. In this article, we have thoroughly broken down the pros and cons of each starter champion to make the selection easier. Check out the verdict below!

Kael (Epic Magic Affinity)

Kael is widely regarded as the best starter champion in RAID: Shadow Legends, and for good reason. He is a Dark Elf Attack champion with a skill kit that scales beautifully into late-game. Kael is a safe and future-proof investment. He remains relevant even at high levels, making him the most recommended starter for both new and experienced players.

Core Skills

  • Dark Bolt (A1): Single-target attack with a chance to place a Poison debuff.
  • Acid Rain (A2): AoE nuke that hits all enemies and boosts damage based on enemy count. Fantastic for wave clearing.
  • Disintegrate (A3): Single-target attack with up to three 5% Poison debuffs if booked.
  • Aura: Increases Ally HP in all battles.

Strengths

  • Top-tier Poison debuffs, making him invaluable for Clan Boss and Dragon’s Lair.
  • Reliable AoE with Acid Rain to clear campaign waves quickly.
  • Scales into endgame content thanks to his Poison mechanics.
  • Very gear-friendly; even basic Lifesteal gear keeps him alive and effective.

Weaknesses

  • Lower base damage on his A1 compared to others.
  • Relies on debuffs for maximum potential against bosses.

Elhain (Epic Magic Affinity)

Elhain, the High Elf marksman, is often chosen for her straightforward and visually satisfying AoE damage. She excels at wave-clearing in Campaign and Arena battles. Elhain is excellent if you want a fast campaign farmer and an Arena nuker. However, she doesn’t scale as well into late-game PvE content compared to Kael.

Core Skills

  • Keen Shot (A1): Single-target attack with a chance to strike twice if the enemy has less than half HP.
  • Lightning Arrow (A2): AoE attack with an extra hit if it kills an enemy. Great for chaining damage.
  • Valley of Death (A3): Another powerful AoE nuke.
  • Aura: Increases Ally HP in all battles.

Strengths

  • Among the fastest campaign farmers, thanks to her double AoE kit.
  • Very effective in early-game Arena due to her wave-clearing power.
  • Easy to understand and build. Make sure to build her with high Crit Rate and Crit Damage to make her deadly.

Weaknesses

  • Lower base damage on his A1 compared to others.
  • Relies on debuffs for maximum potential against bosses.

Galek (Epic Magic Affinity)

Galek is a fan-favorite among new players because of his aggressive playstyle and strong AoE attacks. He’s flashy, fun to use, and has some decent utility in the early stages of the game. Galek is a strong pick for beginners who want an aggressive and fast-clearing champion, but he struggles to stay relevant later in the game.

Core Skills

  • Cross Slash (A1): Double-hit attack that scales well with gear.
  • Hellraiser (A2): AoE attack that also boosts Galek’s speed, allowing him to cycle turns faster.
  • Cursed Blade (A3): A strong attack with a chance to place multiple debuffs if the target has high HP.
  • Aura: Increases Ally HP in all battles.

Strengths

  • Good AoE damage with built-in Speed boost for himself.
  • Effective in early Arena fights as a nuker.
  • Can be good in Campaign farming with his flashy animations.

Weaknesses

  • His debuffs are situational and unreliable, making him less impactful in Clan Boss and Dungeons.
  • Needs strong gear to keep pace with other nukers.
  • Outclassed by Kael’s Poison utility in long battles.

Athel (Epic Magic Affinity)

Athel, a member of the Sacred Order, is often overlooked but has a surprisingly solid kit. She combines utility with consistent damage, making her a reliable option for steady progression. Athel is a balanced choice for players who prefer consistency and utility over raw damage. While not the top pick, she can still contribute effectively in most content.

Core Skills

  • Strike Down (A1): Triple-hit attack with strong damage scaling.
  • Divine Blades (A2): AoE attack with bonus damage if enemies are debuffed.
  • Higher Blessing (A3): Grants a self-buff of increased Attack and extra turns, giving her great uptime.
  • Aura: Increases Ally HP in all battles.

Strengths

  • Triple-hit 1st skill is fantastic against Clan Boss for proccing Giant Slayer mastery.
  • Self-buff with Higher Blessing gives her good sustainability and burst potential.
  • AoE scales well when paired with debuff champions.
  • Very flexible and usable in multiple areas of the game.

Weaknesses

  • Lower burst damage compared to Elhain or Galek.
  • Doesn’t bring the game-changing poison debuffs that Kael does.
  • Requires good team synergy to maximize her AoE damage.

Players can enjoy playing RAID: Shadow Legends on a bigger screen of their PC or Laptop via BlueStacks along with your keyboard and mouse.

Keep progressing in RAID: Shadow Legends with our other in-depth guides:

  • RAID: Shadow Legends Titus Blackplume Guide – Skills, Gear, Masteries, and Blessings
  • RAID: Shadow Legends – Skeletor Champion Guide: Best Build, Masteries & Artifact Sets
  • RAID: Shadow Legends Sun Wukong Guide – Skills, Gear, Masteries, and Blessings