Karthus

Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.

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.450 gold

Best opening

BOOTS

Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration 45 Move Speed1100 gold · 800 to combine

Most 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.2800 gold · 700 to combine→Shadowflame110 Ability Power 15 Magic Penetration Cinderbloom Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.3200 gold · 900 to combine

Build every game

ITEM 3

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%.3000 gold · 800 to combine51.1% WR462 games

What players go

ITEM 4

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine55.0% WR669 games

Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power 50 Armor Time Stop Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine48.6% WR247 games · small sample

What players go

ITEM 5

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine57.9% WR318 games

Void Staff95 Ability Power 40% Magic Penetration3000 gold · 1050 to combine53.7% WR246 games · small sample

Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power 50 Armor Time Stop Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine51.5% WR167 games · small sample

What players go

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

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

48.4% WR52% of games

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 Waste

1

3

5

7

9

1, 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 Pain

4

14

15

17

18

4, 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.EDefile

2

8

10

12

13

2, 8, 10, 12, 13

Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem

6

11

16

6, 11, 16

Based on 2,443 games · 48.4% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.

Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.

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.400 goldHealth PotionConsume Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 gold

Best opening

BOOTS

Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration 45 Move Speed1100 gold · 800 to combine

Most 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.2800 gold · 700 to combine→Shadowflame110 Ability Power 15 Magic Penetration Cinderbloom Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.3200 gold · 900 to combine

Build every game

ITEM 3

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%.3000 gold · 800 to combine53.1% WR397 games

What players go

ITEM 4

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine58.2% WR594 games

Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power 50 Armor Time Stop Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine50.7% WR221 games · small sample

What players go

ITEM 5

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine63.6% WR291 games · small sample

Void Staff95 Ability Power 40% Magic Penetration3000 gold · 1050 to combine60.1% WR278 games · small sample

Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power 50 Armor Time Stop Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine62.2% WR196 games · small sample

What players go

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

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 Stand

SUMMONER SPELLS

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

53.8% WR69% of games

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 Waste

1

3

5

7

9

1, 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 Pain

4

14

15

17

18

4, 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.EDefile

2

8

10

12

13

2, 8, 10, 12, 13

Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem

6

11

16

6, 11, 16

Based on 2,086 games · 53.8% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.

Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.

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.400 goldHealth PotionConsume Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 gold

Best opening

BOOTS

Spellslinger's Shoes20 Magic Penetration 8% Magic Penetration 45 Move Speed1100 gold

Most 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.2800 gold · 700 to combine→Shadowflame110 Ability Power 15 Magic Penetration Cinderbloom Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.3200 gold · 900 to combine

Build every game

ITEM 3

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%.3000 gold · 800 to combine47.5% WR80 games · small sample

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.2800 gold · 800 to combine72.2% WR36 games · small sample

What players go

ITEM 4

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine48.2% WR83 games · small sample

What players go

ITEM 5

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine40.5% WR37 games · small sample

What players go

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

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 Stand

SUMMONER SPELLS

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

51.1% WR64% of games

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 Waste

1

3

5

7

9

1, 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 Pain

8

14

15

17

18

8, 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.EDefile

2

4

10

12

13

2, 4, 10, 12, 13

Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem

6

11

16

6, 11, 16

Based on 356 games · 51.1% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.

Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.

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.400 goldHealth PotionConsume Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 gold

Best opening

BOOTS

Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration 45 Move Speed1100 gold · 800 to combine

Most 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.2800 gold · 700 to combine→Shadowflame110 Ability Power 15 Magic Penetration Cinderbloom Magic and true damage Critically Strike enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.3200 gold · 900 to combine

Build every game

ITEM 3

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%.3000 gold · 800 to combine42.9% WR42 games · small sample

What players go

ITEM 4

Rabadon's Deathcap130 Ability Power Magical Opus Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.3500 gold · 1100 to combine56.0% WR25 games · small sample

What players go

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

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 Stand

SUMMONER SPELLS

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.W

44.6% WR43% of games

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 Waste

1

3

5

7

9

1, 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 Pain

4

14

15

17

18

4, 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.EDefile

2

8

10

12

13

2, 8, 10, 12, 13

Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem

6

11

16

6, 11, 16

Based on 157 games · 44.6% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.

Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.

STARTING

World Atlas400 goldHealth PotionConsume Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 gold

Best opening

BOOTS

Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration 45 Move Speed1100 gold · 800 to combine

Most 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.400 gold→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.2800 gold · 700 to combine

Build every game

ITEM 3

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%.3000 gold · 800 to combine37.5% WR32 games · small sample

What players go

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

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 Stand

SUMMONER SPELLS

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

48.0% WR23% of games

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 Waste

1

3

5

7

9

1, 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 Pain

4

14

15

4, 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.EDefile

2

8

10

12

13

2, 8, 10, 12, 13

Requiem (R)After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.RRequiem

6

11

6, 11

Based on 75 games · 48.0% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.