Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Mana-Efficient Trade
- The Karma Skin Tier List
- When They Ban Karma
- Runes That Work on Karma
- Leveling Karma's Abilities
- Mastering Karma's Kit
- Matchups That Matter for Karma
- Positioning Laziness
- When They Outrange You
- The Backline Artillery
- The Scaling Build
- Karma's Strongest Moments
- The Combo Nuke
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low Elo players do not respect the Level 1 Mantra-Q (Soulflare). It deals ~30% of an ADC's HP and slows them. If you hit this twice, the lane is over. They also don't understand her Passive (Gathering Fire), which reduces her Mantra cooldown every time she hits an ability or AUTO-ATTACK. A smurf weaves autos constantly, getting 3-4 Mantras off in a single teamfight while the enemy wonders why her ult is always up.
The Mana-Efficient Trade
The 'Bush Nuke'. Hide in the middle lane brush (Bot) or the forward brush (Top). Wait for them to walk up to the wave. Mantra-Q (Soulflare) the champions + the wave. Walk out and Auto-Attack. Ignite if they panic flash. You have total lane control from 00:00. Do not push the wave blindly; use the Q splash to zone them off XP.
The 'Bush Nuke': Hide in lane brush. Wait for them to walk up. Mantra-Q (Soulflare) the champion + wave. Walk out and Auto. Ignite if they panic. You own the lane from 00:00.
The Karma Skin Tier List
'Dark Star Karma' has terrifying VFX. 'Dawnbringer' is divine (literally). 'Traditional Karma' is for the OGs who remember the fans. 'Faerie Queen Karma' has smooth autos.
'Dark Star' has terrifying VFX. 'Dawnbringer' is divine. 'Traditional' is for the OGs. 'Faerie Queen' has smooth autos. Dark Star wins for the visual impact.
When They Ban Karma
Lulu offers similar shielding and poke. Lux provides poke and carry potential. Nami gives lane dominance. Lulu is the best 'shield bot' pivot with poke.
Runes That Work on Karma
Arcane Comet (standard poke). Summoner Aery (Shielding focus). Grasp of the Undying (Tank Top Karma). Scorch is non-negotiable for early pressure. Ultimate Hunter (Domination secondary) is a smurf favorite for lower Mantra CD.
Leveling Karma's Abilities
E
Mastering Karma's Kit
Inner Flame. AOE skillshot. Mantra Bonus (Soulflare): Deals extra damage and leaves a circle that explodes for more damage/slow.
Focused Resolve. Tether. Roots enemy if connection holds. Mantra Bonus (Renewal): Heals Karma on cast AND on root (based on missing HP). Root duration increases.
Inspire. Shield + Speed. Mantra Bonus (Defiance): Shields target and ALL nearby allies + Massive speed boost. The 'Go' button.
Mantra. Empowers next ability. Available at Level 1. Has no cost. Use it often.
Matchups That Matter for Karma
Bully him Level 1. Stay behind minions. If he hooks you, Mantra-W and shield speed away.
Hard. If she lands E on you, you die. Space perfectly or dodge.
Hard. If he runs at you with W, you die. Respect his all-in potential, just poke safely.
Positioning Laziness
Stop only using Mantra-Q! Yes, damage is fun. But a late-game Mantra-E (Defiance) gives your entire team 60% Move Speed and a 500HP shield. That wins fights. Also, don't hold Mantra. Use it. Your autos refresh it. If you sit on Mantra for 30s, you are wasting your passive.
Stop only using Mantra-Q! A late-game Mantra-E gives your whole team 60% Move Speed and a huge shield. That wins fights. Don't hold Mantra; use autos to refresh it.
When They Outrange You
Dodge Blitzcrank. One hook ends your bullying career. Dodge Pyke. He ignores your shields with his execution (R).
Dodge Blitzcrank. One hook ends your bullying career. Dodge Pyke; he ignores your shields with his R execution. You cannot bully if you are afraid of being hooked.
The Backline Artillery
Poke with regular Qs before the fight. Use Mantra-Q ONLY if you catch a squishy out of position. Ideally, wait for the engage, then Mantra-E your whole team to speed them in or absorb the enemy engage. Use W on divers to peel for your carry. Weave autos on the tank to reset Mantra and do it again.
Poke with Qs. Use Mantra-E to speed your team in or absorb engage. Use W on divers to peel. Weave autos on tanks to reset Mantra. You are a utility mage, not just a Q-bot.
The Scaling Build
Tank Karma (Top/Mid). Malignance -> Spirit Visage -> Cosmic Drive. You run fast, you heal with Mantra-W (Renewal), and you have your Ult every 12 seconds. It's unkillable and incredibly tilting for melee champions.
Tank Karma (Top/Mid): Malignance -> Spirit Visage -> Cosmic Drive. You run fast, heal with Mantra-W, and have Ult every 12 seconds. It's unkillable and tilts melee champs off the earth.
Karma's Strongest Moments
Level 1-3 (God Mode). Level 9 (Max Rank Q). Malignance Completion (R Cooldown reduction).
Level 1-3 (God Mode). Level 9 (Max Rank Q). Malignance Completion (R CDR). You are strongest when you have Mantra up; you are weak for the 30 seconds it is down.
The Combo Nuke
Baiting enemies into diving you when you are low HP, then using Mantra-W (Renewal) to root them under tower and heal massive HP. Spamming 'SaE Eleisa TeraVi' (her chant) while they die to tower shots.
Baiting enemies into diving you when low, then using Mantra-W to root them under tower and heal massive HP. Spamming her chant 'SaE Eleisa TeraVi' while they die is mandatory.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.12 | Jun 12, 2024 | BUFF | E buffed, Defiance buffed |
| V14.9 | May 1, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed, Defiance buffed |
| V14.7 | Apr 3, 2024 | BUFF | W buffed, Defiance adjusted |
| V14.6 | Mar 20, 2024 | BUFF | P adjusted, Q adjusted, Base stats adjusted |
| V14.4 | Feb 22, 2024 | ADJUST | W nerfed, Renewal nerfed |
