01 / Karthus
At a glance
Learn Karthus abilities and prepare your first games. Find builds for each supported role.
02
Strengths & weaknesses
Tools to play around
- Lay WasteContributes damage to the champion’s rotation.
- Wall of PainAdds a utility effect to the champion’s kit.
What can go wrong
- Lay WastePractise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
- Wall of PainRead the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
- A completed combo is only useful when your position, resources and follow-up are safe.
03
Abilities & tips
Open an ability to read its effect and a practical use tip.
PDeath Defied
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
QLay Waste
Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
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.
Read the effect and its conditions, then practise it alone. Build your sequence around the effect you can reliably reproduce.
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.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
RRequiem
After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.
Practise the hit area and target conditions first. Do not spend the rest of your rotation automatically when the opening damage misses.
Karthus combos: execution and timing
AA = basic attack · EAA = empowered attack · 1/2/3 = cast stage. Follow the order, not instant key presses.
Recast practice: Lay Waste
- W
- Q
- E
- Q
- Q
With Karthus, start with Wall of Pain, then continue through Lay Waste → Defile → Lay Waste → Lay Waste. Choose a position that lets Lay Waste work without losing your retreat. Check the next target’s range before following the sequence.
Recast practice: Lay Waste
- E
- AA
- Q
- AA
- Q
With Karthus, start with Defile, then continue through Basic attack → Lay Waste → Basic attack → Lay Waste. Choose a position that lets Lay Waste work without losing your retreat. Check the next target’s range before following the sequence.
05
Game plan by role
Karthus · Jungle
Practise a repeatable clear before adding risky invades. Check nearby lane positions before entering the river or committing to a gank.
Prepare objectives by resetting, checking vision and moving with nearby allies. Avoid starting an objective solely because it has spawned.
Keep Smite and your escape plan in mind around contested objectives. Choose between engaging, covering a carry and keeping access to the objective.
Karthus · Bot
Coordinate trades with your support and keep last hits consistent. Stand where you can attack without stepping into both enemy players’ threat range.
Collect safe farm while staying close enough to join your team. Check the map before crossing an exposed side lane for one more wave.
Keep dealing damage to an accessible target while tracking enemy engage tools. A safer sustained position is often better than chasing a distant carry.
06
Matchup preparation
Compare opponents in the build for the role you are actually playing. Then check their key control, escape and defensive spells before choosing your trade.
07
Practice checklist
- Cast each ability alone and identify its range, target conditions and stopping point.
- Practise the first sequence slowly. Repeat it while moving, without skipping the conditions shown on its card.
- After each attempt, identify the spell you would still have available to defend or retreat.
08
Karthus · Builds & runes
Choose a role, then select your rank on the build page for runes, items, skill order and matchup statistics.