Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

Choose Kintarō if you want a hero built around two stances, an independently directed bear companion, and the need to coordinate both at once. Choose another Ravenswatch hero if your preferred decision is transformation, summoning, crowd control, mobility, healing, or resource management rather than Kintarō’s mounted-and-dismounted toolkit.

There is no reliable official win-rate, damage, or difficulty ranking that proves Kintarō is objectively better than the roster. The useful answer is a playstyle match: identify the mechanic you enjoy managing, then pick the hero whose decisions remain interesting throughout a run.

What changed with Kintarō in Ravenswatch

Passtech Games released the “Kintarō joins the Ravenswatch” hero DLC with version 1.6.0 on October 12, 2026. The base-game update is free on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch; the Kintarō hero DLC is a separate purchase. The announcement does not establish one universal DLC price, so check the store and region for your platform before buying.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Kintarō is not simply a new attack animation layered onto an existing character. His identity is a dual gameplay system: he can fight mounted with Kuma, his bear companion, or dismount and use a different set of abilities. Kuma can be controlled with the right joystick on a controller. With keyboard and mouse, point with the mouse and press A. That companion control is central to how the hero feels, rather than a cosmetic effect that happens automatically.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
Ravenswatch Legendary Edition Nintendo Switch
  • BANISH THE NIGHTMARE FROM YOUR REALM; The Nightmares are spreading within Reverie, corrupting everything in their path
  • You must hone your skills and find the strength to defeat the creatures of the Nightmare using unique hero abilities
  • To defeat the Nightmare and reach the final chapter, you will need a strong build, focus and excellent teamwork
  • The world of Reverie is built on old folk tales and legends; from the Three Little Pigs to Norse mythology to One Thousand and One Nights
  • Run after run, play as different heroes, make the most of the upgrades and items you find, and explore

The Steam listing also describes Kintarō as having his own Talents, two Ultimates, seven exclusive outfits, and a narrated story told through seven Memories. Those are DLC features and progression or presentation options; they do not demonstrate superior combat performance.

How Kintarō plays

Mounted stance: speed, impact and a compact ability set

While mounted, Kintarō uses a set designed around his attack, charge, leap and roar actions:

Slot Mounted ability What the slot suggests in play
Attack Claw Swipes Repeated close-range attacks while fighting with Kuma.
Power Charge A committed forward action that rewards choosing an approach line before activating it.
Special Leap Vertical or gap-closing movement for entering, escaping or repositioning.
Defense Roar A defensive action shared by the mounted kit; use its timing as part of your survival plan.

The official descriptions identify the abilities and controls but do not provide frame data, damage coefficients or a controlled comparison with other heroes. Treat the table as a map of decisions, not as proof that mounted Kintarō has more damage or safety than anyone else.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Dismounted stance: a second kit rather than a temporary penalty

When Kintarō leaves Kuma, his ability names change:

Slot Dismounted ability What the slot suggests in play
Attack Axe A weapon-centered attack set that changes how you position around targets.
Power Whirl and Pound Two named actions in the Power slot, giving you a different way to commit to groups or priority targets.
Special Double Leap Extra movement options for crossing danger zones or setting up a new angle.
Defense Roar and Shout A defensive slot with a different named action from the mounted presentation.

Because mounted and dismounted abilities are distinct, Kintarō asks you to learn more than one rotation and to decide when changing states is worth the interruption. Dismounting is not automatically “better” for close combat, and staying mounted is not automatically safer. Your choice depends on enemy spacing, the current objective, your upgrades and what your teammates are doing.

Directing Kuma is part of the control challenge

Kuma can be directed independently while Kintarō is dismounted. On a controller, use the right joystick; on keyboard and mouse, aim with the mouse and press A. This creates a practical split in attention: Kintarō may be moving or attacking in one place while Kuma is pointed toward another target or position.

Rank #2
Ravenswatch - Nintendo Switch 2 (Cartridge)
  • BANISH THE NIGHTMARE FROM YOUR REALM: The Nightmares are spreading within Reverie, corrupting everything in their path. You must hone your skills and find the strength to defeat the creatures of the Nightmare using unique hero abilities inspired by characters from folk tales and legends.
  • DYNAMIC GAMEPLAY: To defeat the Nightmare and reach the final chapter, you will need a strong build, focus and excellent teamwork. Increase your fighting power in battles then face the level boss when you feel ready… or when you no longer have a choice.
  • DARK TALES: The world of Reverie is built on old folk tales and legends. From the three little pigs to Norse mythology to One Thousand and One Nights, the best-known tales are revisited in a dark-fantasy style and add their timeless appeal to the atmosphere of Ravenswatch.
  • HIGH REPLAY VALUE: Run after run, play as different heroes, make the most of the upgrades and items you find, and explore a randomly generated map with new activities and new enemies.
  • 2021, Curse of the Dead Gods, a game developped by Passtech Games, published by Focus Home Interactive.
  • Use the companion command deliberately. Point Kuma at the target that matters now instead of treating the command as background automation.
  • Watch both positions. A successful companion action can still leave Kintarō exposed if you stop tracking his own location.
  • Change stance for a reason. Switch when the available movement, attack pattern or defensive option solves the immediate problem, not merely because the alternate kit is available.
  • Practice the handoff. Learn where Kuma ends up after a command and where Kintarō stands after a leap, charge or dismount.

The sources establish the control scheme and dual style, but not a formal difficulty rating. It is reasonable to expect a learning curve for players who dislike managing a second controllable unit, yet that is a playstyle observation rather than a measured ranking.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Ultimates, Talents and presentation features

Kintarō has two Ultimates and a dedicated Talent set. The available official material confirms their existence but does not provide enough comparable numerical detail to declare one Ultimate stronger than another hero’s ultimate. Build around the Ultimate that supports your team’s current needs and the upgrades offered during that run.

Seven exclusive outfits and seven narrated Memories add cosmetic and story content. They can be a reason to buy the DLC if you value presentation and character narrative, but they should not be used as evidence in a combat comparison.

Which Ravenswatch hero fits your preferred mechanic?

The following comparisons use each hero’s official concept as an entry point. They are not a tier list, damage test or difficulty chart. Choose the row that describes the decisions you would rather make repeatedly during a run.

Hero Signature concept Choose this direction if you enjoy… How it differs from Kintarō
Kintarō Mounted and dismounted stances with Kuma Coordinating a companion and switching between two ability sets. Control is split between Kintarō and Kuma, with stance-specific actions.
Scarlet Huntress by day; werewolf after sunset Transformation and a changing form over the course of the day-night cycle. The form change is a transformation theme, whereas Kintarō’s change is a stance-and-companion decision.
The Pied Piper Flute attacks and rats Choosing between direct attacks and sending summons into the fight. His additional presence comes from rats; Kintarō’s comes from actively directing Kuma.
Beowulf Runic broadsword with a baby dragon that boosts the next attack Weapon-led combat with a companion effect tied to an attack payoff. The dragon augments an attack, while Kuma is a more explicit controllable part of Kintarō’s kit.
Snow Queen Ice that slows and freezes, plus sliding movement Crowd control, freezing threats and moving through encounters with mobility. Her hook is controlling enemy movement and space; Kintarō’s is coordinating two entities and stances.
Aladdin Magic scimitars and a genie granting up to three wishes A wish-based mechanic and planning around limited special opportunities. Aladdin’s defining choice is wish management, not switching between mounted and dismounted kits.
Melusine Singing stance with a will-o’-the-wisp, or a mobile stance Choosing between a stationary effect and movement-oriented positioning. Both have stance decisions, but Kintarō adds Kuma control and two substantially different ability presentations.
Geppetto Builds puppets and repairs them from a distance Setup, maintaining deployed units and remote support. Geppetto’s attention goes to constructed helpers and repairs; Kintarō directs a companion while personally changing stance.
Sun Wukong Yin heals; Yang doubles damage Trading explicit healing and offense roles through a stance choice. Sun Wukong presents a clear healing-versus-damage trade; Kintarō’s stances change attacks, movement and defense while Kuma adds another control layer.
Carmilla Drinks blood to strengthen powers while managing the monster within Resource and power management with a risk-themed transformation identity. Carmilla’s central tension is resource use and inner-monster management rather than companion positioning.

Kintarō compared by the decision you want to make

If you want to control an additional companion

Kintarō is the clearest choice among the described concepts because Kuma can be directed while Kintarō is dismounted. Beowulf also has a dragon companion, and The Pied Piper sends rats, but the available descriptions frame those companions differently: Beowulf’s dragon boosts a next attack, while the Piper’s rats are part of a flute-or-summon attack identity. Select Kintarō when issuing a direction and then acting on the result sounds more appealing than receiving a passive boost or launching a summon pattern.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If you want form or stance changes

Scarlet’s day-to-night werewolf transformation, Melusine’s singing-versus-mobile choice and Sun Wukong’s Yin-versus-Yang roles all offer meaningful state changes. Kintarō differs because both mounted and dismounted states come with named Attack, Power, Special and Defense actions, and Kuma remains part of the control problem. If you want your form change to redefine your role entirely, Scarlet or Sun Wukong may be a better conceptual fit. If you want to switch kits while still solving problems with a companion, choose Kintarō.

Rank #3
Ravenswatch: Legendary Edition (PS5)
  • You must hone your skills and find the strength to defeat the creatures of the Nightmare using unique hero abilities inspired by characters from folk tales and legends.
  • To defeat the Nightmare and reach the final chapter, you will need a strong build, focus and excellent teamwork.
  • Increase your fighting power in battles then face the level boss when you feel ready… or when you no longer have a choice.
  • The world of Reverie is built on old folk tales and legends. From the three little pigs to Norse mythology to One Thousand and One Nights.
  • Run after run, play as different heroes, make the most of the upgrades and items you find, and explore a randomly generated map with new activities and new enemies.

If you prefer crowd control and safe positioning

Snow Queen’s official concept directly emphasizes slowing and freezing enemies, along with sliding across the battlefield. That makes her the natural starting point for players who enjoy controlling where enemies can move. Kintarō has movement tools such as Leap and Double Leap, plus Charge, but the available information does not establish that he matches Snow Queen’s control or safety. Pick based on whether you want to dictate enemy movement or coordinate your own two-part attack plan.

If you like setup and remote support

Geppetto builds puppets and repairs them from a distance, which suits players who enjoy preparing a battlefield and maintaining deployed helpers. Kintarō is more immediate: you direct Kuma and personally operate a stance-specific kit. Choose Geppetto if construction and upkeep are the satisfying part; choose Kintarō if active repositioning and rapid switching are.

If you want a resource trade-off

Aladdin’s genie can grant up to three wishes, while Carmilla strengthens her powers by drinking blood and managing the monster within. Sun Wukong presents an explicit healing-versus-damage stance choice. These concepts put a limited resource or role trade at the center of the hero. Kintarō’s trade is different: you are managing available actions, positioning and companion control rather than a published wish count, blood resource or Yin/Yang damage-healing rule.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

How to choose Kintarō for a real run

Step 1: Decide whether the control scheme sounds enjoyable

Before buying the DLC, ask whether you want to use a second directional input for Kuma while Kintarō is dismounted. Controller players should be comfortable using the right joystick for Kuma; keyboard-and-mouse players should be comfortable pointing with the mouse and pressing A. If that sounds like an appealing tactical layer, Kintarō is a strong candidate. If it sounds distracting, choose a hero whose signature mechanic is less dependent on a second controllable presence.

Step 2: Learn one stance before trying to optimize both

Start by identifying what each mounted action and each dismounted action is for: approaching, dealing damage, escaping, defending or repositioning. Do not assume that memorizing button names is enough. Practice moving from a mounted action into a dismounted action, then returning to a safe position. The goal is to recognize the problem first and the stance second.

Step 3: Give Kuma a job

Use a simple command rule during early runs: point Kuma at the highest-value target or the position that lets you attack safely, then keep Kintarō’s movement independent. This avoids sending Kuma randomly while you lose track of your own health or location. As you become comfortable, coordinate a Kuma command with Charge, Leap, Whirl and Pound, or Double Leap according to the encounter’s spacing.

Rank #4
Ravenswatch Legendary Edition - PS4 - UK PAL (EU Version)
  • UK PSN account may be required for any online features

Step 4: Build around the run, not a fixed tier list

Ravenswatch runs develop power through battles before a chapter boss. The game describes replayable runs with random maps, activities, enemies, upgrades and items. That means a build that feels excellent in one run may not appear, or may not be appropriate, in another. Choose Talents and items that reinforce the stance you are using most successfully, then keep enough flexibility to answer the enemies and objectives that actually appear.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Step 5: Account for the team

The official game description emphasizes a strong build, focus and teamwork. In co-op, tell teammates whether you are using Kuma to pressure a target, create space or set up your own attack. A hero with excellent crowd control, healing, summons or mobility can change how valuable Kintarō’s companion positioning becomes. There is no universal team in which Kintarō is guaranteed to be the best pick; run-specific upgrades and the group’s comfort with each mechanic matter.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What is known—and not known—about Kintarō’s strength

Official sources reviewed for the release describe Kintarō’s abilities, Talents, Ultimates and companion controls, but they do not publish a comparable win rate, difficulty score, damage figure or controlled test across the roster. The hero descriptions for the rest of the cast are also concise concepts, not full balance analyses.

Passtech Games reported in a June 2026 Community Spotlight that players had logged more than 300 million hours and completed over 40 million runs since Early Access began in 2023. Those figures show broad engagement with Ravenswatch; they do not identify which hero wins more often or deals more damage.

Accordingly, statements such as “Kintarō is the strongest,” “Kintarō is the hardest” or “this hero is the best for every team” go beyond the available evidence. The defensible recommendation is conditional: Kintarō is the best fit for players who want his dual stance and Kuma-control decisions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Common mistakes when comparing heroes

Confusing more features with more power

Two Ultimates, seven outfits and seven Memories make Kintarō’s DLC substantial, but content quantity is not a combat ranking. Evaluate those features as variety, story and customization.

Best Value
Ravenswatch: Legendary Edition - Compatible for XSX - UK PAL
  • Brand new UK Import PAL version. Game in English.

Reading a concept description as a complete kit review

“Freezes enemies,” “builds puppets” or “drinks blood” identifies a mechanic, not its exact numbers, cooldowns or performance in every map. Use the concepts to shortlist heroes, then judge the decisions you enjoy making in play.

Assuming stance switching has one correct answer

Mounted and dismounted abilities solve different positional problems. A stance that looks ideal against one enemy group may be awkward against another, especially when your team’s positioning or the run’s upgrades change.

Buying the wrong product or edition

Version 1.6.0 is a free base-game update, while Kintarō is paid DLC. Do not assume that a physical Ravenswatch edition includes the hero. A limited-edition physical Nintendo Switch 2 release was announced for fall 2026, but announcement status is not proof of current retail inventory or DLC inclusion; verify the exact edition and contents at the store before purchase.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Quick decision guide

Your priority Best first hero to investigate Why
Commanding a companion while changing your own kit Kintarō Kuma control plus mounted and dismounted abilities.
Day/night transformation Scarlet Huntress and werewolf forms define the concept.
Direct attacks versus summons The Pied Piper Flute attacks and rats provide the central choice.
Weapon combat with a companion boost Beowulf Runic broadsword and baby-dragon attack enhancement.
Slows, freezes and sliding mobility Snow Queen Enemy control and movement are the stated identity.
Limited wishes Aladdin The genie can grant up to three wishes.
Stationary effect versus mobility stance Melusine Singing summons a will-o’-the-wisp; the other stance is mobile.
Constructing and repairing helpers Geppetto Puppets and remote repairs reward setup and maintenance.
Healing versus doubled damage Sun Wukong Yin and Yang make the role trade explicit.
Power gained through a managed resource Carmilla Blood strengthens powers while the monster must be managed.

Final recommendation

Play Kintarō if you want Ravenswatch combat to feel like coordinating a small team by yourself: direct Kuma, decide whether to stay mounted, and use the stance-specific Attack, Power, Special and Defense actions to answer the encounter. He is especially suitable for players who enjoy active positioning and learning two connected kits.

Play another hero when its signature decision is more attractive than that coordination. Scarlet is the transformation choice; The Pied Piper and Geppetto emphasize additional units in different ways; Snow Queen centers control and mobility; Aladdin and Carmilla foreground resource decisions; Sun Wukong makes offense-versus-healing explicit; and Melusine offers a contrasting stance model. None has an officially established universal ranking over Kintarō, so the right choice is the mechanic you will still enjoy managing after the novelty of the first run fades.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 4
Ravenswatch Legendary Edition - PS4 - UK PAL (EU Version)
Ravenswatch Legendary Edition - PS4 - UK PAL (EU Version)
UK PSN account may be required for any online features
$59.99
Bestseller No. 5
Ravenswatch: Legendary Edition - Compatible for XSX - UK PAL
Ravenswatch: Legendary Edition - Compatible for XSX - UK PAL
Brand new UK Import PAL version. Game in English.
$59.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.