Updated patch 26.18 · 1.5M high-elo games
Karthus
Battlemage · magic (AP) damage
47.8%Win rate
0.7%Pick rate
2KGames
CTier · Jungle
Karthus is a Battlemage that deals magic (AP) damage and brings slow. With little hard CC to play around, prioritize raw defensive stats over tenacity. Below is Karthus's highest-win-rate build from high-elo games; open the counter-build tool to tune it against your specific enemy team.
ABILITIES
PassiveDeath Defied
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
QLay Waste
Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.
WWall of Pain
Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.
EDefile
Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.
RRequiem
After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.
COMBAT PROFILE
PLAYING ASKarthus
- Ask your allies to help point out when you should use Requiem to get kills in different lanes.
- Lay Waste is very strong at farming minions and harassing enemy champions.
PLAYING AGAINSTKarthus
- Karthus can cast spells for a short duration after he is killed. Move away from his corpse to be safe.
- Make sure you always have enough health to survive Requiem, even if you have to go back to the base more frequently to heal.
CROWD CONTROL
Slowignores tenacityFROMW Wall of Pain
W Wall of PainHover a crowd-control type to see which ability it comes from.
HIGHEST WIN-RATE BUILD
SKILL PRIORITY
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.Q→Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.E47.8% WR1,049 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.QLay Waste1
3
5
7
9
Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.WWall of Pain4
14
15
17
18
Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.EDefile2
8
10
12
13
Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem6
11
16
Deathfire Touch keystone
Sorcery
Summon Aery
Arcane Comet
Stormraider's Surge
Deathfire Touch
Axiom Arcanist
Manaflow Band
Nimbus Cloak
Transcendence
Celerity
Absolute Focus
Scorch
Waterwalking
Gathering Storm
Domination
Electrocute
Dark Harvest
Hail of Blades
Cheap Shot
Taste of Blood
Sudden Impact
Sixth Sense
Grisly Mementos
Deep Ward
Treasure Hunter
Relentless Hunter
Ultimate Hunter
SUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Gustwalker HatchlingJungle Companions
Summon a Gustwalker that assists you against monsters.
The companion grows as you hunt monsters, empowering your Smite. When fully grown, it completes your Jungle Quest and grants Move Speed upon entering brush, increased when killing large monsters.Cost: 450Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.Cost: 2800 · 700 to build→
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to build50.7% WR418 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build54.5% WR552 games
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.Cost: 3250 · 450 to build48.5% WR206 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build59.4% WR271 games
Void Staff95 Ability Power
40% Magic PenetrationCost: 3000 · 1050 to build54.6% WR207 gamesZhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.Cost: 3250 · 450 to build48.6% WR138 gamesWhat players go
Based on 2076 games · 47.8% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.Q→Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.E54% WR1,292 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.QLay Waste1
3
5
7
9
Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.WWall of Pain4
14
15
17
18
Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.EDefile2
8
10
12
13
Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem6
11
16
Deathfire Touch keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering Storm
Precision
Press the Attack
Lethal Tempo
Fleet Footwork
Conqueror
Absorb Life
Triumph
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Legend: Haste
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Cut Down
Last StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400
Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.Cost: 2800 · 700 to build→Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to build52.8% WR377 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build58.5% WR530 gamesZhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.Cost: 3250 · 450 to build50.7% WR207 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build65% WR266 gamesVoid Staff95 Ability Power
40% Magic PenetrationCost: 3000 · 1050 to build61.3% WR253 gamesZhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.Cost: 3250 · 450 to build62% WR166 gamesWhat players go
Based on 1867 games · 54% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.Q→Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.E48.9% WR216 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.QLay Waste1
3
5
7
9
Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.WWall of Pain8
14
15
17
18
Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.EDefile2
4
10
12
13
Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem6
11
16
Deathfire Touch keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormPrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Spellslinger's Shoes20 Magic Penetration
8% Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100Most common
CORE
Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.Cost: 2800 · 700 to build→Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to build41.2% WR68 games
Stormsurge90 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
6% Move Speed
Stormraider
Dealing 25% of a champion's maximum Health within 2.5s applies Squall to them.
Squall
After 2 seconds, deal magic damage. If the target dies before Squall triggers, it damages nearby enemies.Cost: 2800 · 800 to build72.2% WR36 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build46.2% WR78 gamesWhat players go
5TH ITEM
Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.Cost: 3500 · 1100 to build38.9% WR36 gamesWhat players go
Based on 327 games · 48.9% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.Q→Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.E→Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.W45.8% WR54 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.QLay Waste1
3
5
7
9
Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.WWall of Pain4
14
15
17
18
Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.EDefile2
8
10
12
13
Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem6
11
16
Deathfire Touch keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormPrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.Cost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.Cost: 2800 · 700 to build→Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to build53.1% WR32 gamesWhat players go
4TH ITEM
Shadowflame110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.Cost: 3200 · 900 to build51.6% WR31 gamesWhat players go
Based on 120 games · 45.8% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
SKILL PRIORITY
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.Q46.9% WR16 matches
SKILL PATH leveling order
Lay Waste (Q)Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.QLay Waste1
3
5
7
9
Wall of Pain (W)Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.WWall of Pain4
14
15
Defile (E)Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.EDefile2
8
10
12
13
Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem6
11
Deathfire Touch keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormPrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandSUMMONER SPELLS
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
STARTING
World AtlasCost: 400Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.Cost: 50Best opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move SpeedCost: 1100 · 800 to buildMost common
CORE
Bloodsong200 Health
75% Base Health Regen
75% Base Mana Regen
9 Gold Per 10 Seconds
Spellblade
After using an Ability, your next Attack deals bonus physical damage On-Hit. If the target is a champion, they take increased damage for 4 seconds.Active (4 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision.Cost: 400→Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.Cost: 2800 · 700 to buildBuild every game
3RD ITEM
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.Cost: 3000 · 800 to build36.7% WR30 gamesWhat players go
Based on 64 games · 46.9% win rate · challenger+grandmaster+master+emerald-diamond+platinum-emerald · patch 16.18.1.
