Kineticist is about "More HP, more Defense (works only against HP damage you`ll get), more AoE"
You can try to work around shields, getting 2-13 shield regen per turn, or focusing on casting strong spells to each enemy for combo, but ... not worth.
What is buffed for "classic Kineticist":
1) Force Darts now shoots an addition dart at level 6 and level 12 - good for stunlocking enemy with"Deep Impact" by criting
2) Debris Field (AoE) lasts now 6 rounds (up from 3) - x2 more AoE
3) Thermal Sunder and Kinetic Burst both got a little more level-based scaling and some extra damage bumps at level 6 and 8 - good to have something that "hit harder" against enemies with Kinetic resistance (Thermal Sunder)
4) Gravity Crush buffed: base damage increased from 5->40, reduced level scaling from 5->3, and increased willpower scaling from 2.5->4 - Deep Freeze + Big Kinetic Strikes always be a signature move and getting higher numbers on that is always a "thumbs up".
What i like to use myself as "Thanos Kineticist":