Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Opening Harass
- Ranking Karthus's Skins
- When They Ban Karthus
- Karthus's Keystone Choice
- Skill Max Order for Karthus
- Mastering Karthus's Kit
- The Karthus Matchup Sheet
- The Overextend for Poke
- When Scaling Isn't an Option
- Positioning for Maximum Damage
- The AP Nuke Build
- When Karthus Comes Online
- The Calculated Burst
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players don't respect Karthus's passive. They will kill him in the middle of a teamfight and then stay near his ghost, taking massive AOE damage from Defile (E) and guaranteed Lay Waste (Q) crits. They also fail to account for his global R (Requiem), often staying in lane with low HP only to be deleted from across the map. A smurf can use Karthus's fast jungle clear to reach a level and item lead that makes his damage oppressive early.
The Opening Harass
Start Q (Lay Waste). In the jungle, your Level 1 clear is one of the fastest in the game. In lane, your Q 'double-damage' isolated hits can poke an enemy for half their HP if they don't stay near minions. Level 2 with E (Defile) gives you the sustain to stay in lane or jungle forever. Just keep farming and watch for R-opportunities.
Start Q. In jungle, your clear is fast. In lane, your Q 'double-damage' on isolated targets is huge. Poke them when they step away from minions. If they respect it, you zone them. If not, they die.
Ranking Karthus's Skins
'Pentakill Karthus' (III: Lost Chapter) is the definitive power-farming skin—the unique music and 'rockstar' theme are perfect. 'Grim Reaper Karthus' is a classic, sleek choice. 'Elderwood Karthus' offers amazing modern visual effects. Avoid 'Statue of Karthus' unless you want the 'American joke' theme.
'Pentakill (III)' is the definitive power-farming skin with rockstar vibes. 'Grim Reaper' is classic. 'Elderwood' has amazing effects. Avoid 'Statue of Karthus' unless you like freedom memes.
When They Ban Karthus
If Karthus is banned, Brand offers a similar 'AOE-burn-and-death' teamfight profile. Fiddlesticks for the game-changing AP jungle ultimate. Amumu for the AOE lockdown and sustain.
Brand offers similar AOE-burn and death teamfight profile. Fiddlesticks gives the AP jungle ultimate pressure. Amumu provides AOE lockdown. Brand is the closest damage profile.
Karthus's Keystone Choice
Dark Harvest is the only choice for maximizing your ultimate's execute potential. It stacks quickly as you land global R's on low-HP targets. Secondary Precision with Presence of Mind and Last Stand to maximize your damage and mana while in your passive.
Skill Max Order for Karthus
Max Q first—it's your entire damage profile, clear tool, and poke. Max E second for the massive AOE mana-sustain and damage. Max W last as the slow and MR shred are sufficient with one point.
Mastering Karthus's Kit
Lay Waste. Karthus conjures a blast of energy that deals magic damage. If it hits only one enemy, the damage is doubled. This is your primary DPS—learn to lead your shots!
Wall of Pain. Karthus creates a wall that slows enemies and reduces their Magic Resist. Use this to catch people and make your Qs easier to land.
Defile. Passive: Karthus restores mana when he kills a unit. Active: A massive AOE aura that deals magic damage per second. This is your main teamfight damage and clear tool.
Requiem. After a 3-second channel, Karthus deals magic damage to all enemy champions, regardless of where they are. This is the ultimate global map-pressure tool.
The Karthus Matchup Sheet
Hard Counter. Her global R (Wish) can perfectly counter your global R (Requiem), and her silence (E) can stop you in lane. You have to wait for her to ult first or target her team while she's down.
Hard Matchup. He is naturally tanky against magic damage and can blink out of your Defile. Post-16 he can kill you faster than you can damage him. Focus on winning early.
Hard Counter. He can dodge your Qs and even time his Q to dodge your Requiem. If he reaches you in the jungle, you are dead. Stay near your team or use W-peel.
The Overextend for Poke
Stop missing your Qs! Lay Waste (Q) deals DOUBLE damage if it hits only one target. If you miss or hit multiple targets, your DPS drops significantly. Also, don't waste your R when everyone is full HP! Save it for when you can secure 2+ kills or turn a close fight. Also, position your death! If you're going to die, die in the middle of the enemy team or a choke point.
Stop missing Qs! Hitting single targets deals DOUBLE damage. If you miss, your DPS is zero. Don't waste R on full HP targets. Save it to secure kills or turn fights. Die in a good spot!
When Scaling Isn't an Option
Dodge if facing heavy 'stasis' or 'shield' comps with Zhonya's, Bard, or Lulu if your team has no other damage. They can block your ultimate. Also dodge into Master Yi who can dodge your Qs and R with Q-alpha strike.
Dodge heavy 'stasis' or 'shield' comps like Zhonya's users, Bard, or Lulu. They can negate your R completely. Also dodge Master Yi—he can Alpha Strike your R and dodge your Qs easily.
Positioning for Maximum Damage
In teamfights, you are a suicide-bombing AOE machine. Your job is to deal as much damage as possible. Run into the center of the enemy team with Defile (E) active and spam Q on the closest targets. Once you die, you have 7 seconds of untargetable, free-casting death. Use 4-5 Qs and then immediately channel R (Requiem) before your passive expires. You are the deathsinger who controls the fight from beyond.
Run into the enemy team with Defile (E) active. Suicide bomb. Once dead, you have 7 seconds of free-casting. Use 4-5 Qs then R. Dying in the middle of 5 people is often better than living with 10% HP.
The AP Nuke Build
Full AP 'Nuclear Requiem' Karthus. Liandry's Anguish -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. With this build and 20+ Dark Harvest stacks, your R will literally deal 50-70% of a squishy's health in one go. It's hilarious to see an entire team panic and use all their heals/shields because you pressed one button. Maximum BM, high-risk.
Liandry's Anguish -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. Dark Harvest stacks make your R deal 70% of a squishy's HP. It's hilarious to see an entire team panic because you pressed one button.
When Karthus Comes Online
Level 6 is your first global map-pressure spike. Level 11 and 16 with items turn your R into a game-deciding tool. Your biggest item spike is reaching Liandry's and Void Staff, which allows your burn damage to melt everyone.
Level 6 is your global pressure spike. Level 11 and 16 makes R a game-deciding nuke. Reaching Liandry's and Void Staff allows your burn to melt everyone. You scale into a god.
The Calculated Burst
Type 'Enjoy the encore!' in all-chat after a multi-kill from the grave. Spam the 'dance' emote while your ghost is casting R. The sound of Karthus's R channeling is a psychological trigger that makes enemies stop whatever they are doing to panic and find safety.
Type 'Enjoy the encore!' after a multi-kill from the grave. Spam the dance emote while your ghost is casting R. The sound of Karthus channeling is a psychological trigger for panic.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.13 | Jun 26, 2024 | NERF | Q nerfed |
| V14.11 | May 30, 2024 | NERF | Q nerfed |
| V14.2 | Jan 24, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed, W buffed |
| V13.22 | Nov 8, 2023 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V13.14 | Jul 19, 2023 | NERF | Q adjusted, E nerfed |
