Elder Kraken Evolve: Stats & Abilities

The Elder Kraken in Evolve is the fully evolved Stage 3 form of the Kraken monster, unlocked after you accumulate enough evolution points during a match. At this stage, the Kraken gains its most powerful version of all four abilities—Lightning Strike, Afterburner, Aftershock, and Vortex—along with significantly increased health, armor, and damage output, making it a late-game threat that can turn the tide if played correctly.

Background: What is the Elder Kraken?

The Kraken is one of the playable monsters in Evolve, a 2015 asymmetric multiplayer shooter. Unlike the Goliath (a brawler) or the Wraith (a stealth assassin), the Kraken is a flying, ranged attacker that hovers above the battlefield and unleashes elemental attacks. As you eat wildlife and engage hunters, you gain evolution points. Reaching 66 points triggers the final evolution, often called the “Elder Kraken” by the community. This is the strongest form, with the highest health pool, armor capacity, and ability multipliers.

Full Ability Breakdown at Stage 3

At the Elder stage, all four abilities are at their maximum rank. Here’s what each does:

• Lightning Strike – Calls down a targeted lightning bolt that deals 150 damage (up from 90 at Stage 1). It has a short wind-up, so you need to predict hunter movement.
• Afterburner – A quick burst of speed that lets you close distance or escape. It doesn’t deal damage but is essential for positioning.
• Aftershock – A radial shockwave that damages all hunters within a medium radius. At Stage 3, it deals 200 damage and can knock hunters off ledges.
• Vortex – A projectile that travels in a straight line, dealing 180 damage and pushing hunters back. It’s great for disrupting revives.

Cooldowns remain the same across stages, but the damage numbers scale linearly. The Elder Kraken also gains a larger health bar and a bigger armor pool, effectively making it a tanky artillery platform.

How to Reach the Elder Form Faster

To evolve quickly, focus on feeding on larger wildlife (like Mammoth Birds or Tyrants) because they give more evolution points per bite. Also, engaging hunters early can grant bonus points for dealing damage, but be careful not to die. A common strategy is to feed until you have 33 points, then engage in a fight to force the hunters to use their cooldowns, then retreat and feed to 66. The Elder form is your win condition—once you reach it, you should actively seek fights.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

One of the biggest mistakes is evolving too early without enough armor. When you evolve, your current armor is reset to zero, and you become vulnerable for a few seconds. Always make sure you have a safe spot to evolve, or wait until you have full armor to tank the animation. Another mistake is using Lightning Strike at max range—it has a travel time, so hunters can dodge. Use it at close range or after a Vortex knockback to guarantee hits.

Comparing the Elder Kraken to Other Monsters

Compared to the Goliath, the Kraken has less raw melee damage but far more area control and mobility. The Wraith is faster but squishier. The Elder Kraken excels at zoning—forcing hunters to split up and then picking them off with Aftershock. However, it struggles indoors because its abilities are harder to aim in tight corridors. If you’re facing a team with a Shield Support, focus on breaking the shield with Vortex before committing to a full assault.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many evolution points do I need for the Elder Kraken? You need 66 points. The first 33 points take you to Stage 2, and the next 33 take you to Stage 3.

Does the Elder Kraken have more health? Yes. Each evolution stage increases your maximum health and armor. At Stage 3, your health is roughly 30% higher than at Stage 1, and your armor capacity is also increased.

What is the best ability to max out first? It depends on your playstyle. Most players prioritize Lightning Strike for damage, but if you prefer a defensive approach, maxing Afterburner can help you escape. At Stage 3, all abilities are maxed anyway, so the order only matters during the early game.

Can the Elder Kraken be countered? Yes. A coordinated team with a Hank (shield) and a Lazarus (revive) can outlast your damage. Also, the Kraken’s large hitbox makes it vulnerable to Tranq darts and damage-over-time effects. Use your mobility to break line of sight.

Is the Elder Kraken stronger than the Goliath’s Stage 3? In terms of raw damage, the Kraken’s Aftershock and Lightning Strike can out-damage the Goliath’s abilities, but the Goliath has more sustained melee DPS. The Kraken is better at controlling the fight from a distance.

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