Karthus middle build
Stats
Lore
The harbinger of oblivion, Karthus is an undying spirit whose haunting songs are a prelude to the horror of his nightmarish appearance. The living fear the eternity of undeath, but Karthus sees only beauty and purity in its embrace, a perfect union of life and death. When Karthus emerges from the Shadow Isles, it is to bring the joy of death to mortals, an apostle of the unliving.
Abilities
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.
Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Movement Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.
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.
After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.
Build
| Summoner Spells | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
  | 33.6% | 48.6% |
 | 31.0% | 53.2% |
| Starting Items | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
  | 37.4% | 51.2% |
  | 33.5% | 53.1% |
| Trinkets | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
 | 47.3% | 49.1% |
 | 34.0% | 52.3% |
| Boots | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
 | 68.3% | 55.4% |
 | 12.2% | 33.2% |
| Skills | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
 Q  E Q  W Q  R Q E | 45.9% | 56.3% |
Q E W Q Q R Q E | 25.1% | 48.1% |
Runes
Matchups
| Champion | Games Played | Win % | KDA Difference | Damage Difference | Gold Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Yone | 170 | 50% | 0.1 | 5,228 | -448 |
 Yasuo | 143 | 50% | 0.8 | 7,189 | 49 |
 Zed | 119 | 49% | -0.7 | 3,129 | -675 |
 Katarina | 96 | 45% | -0.6 | 2,835 | -902 |
 Irelia | 89 | 49% | 0.4 | 4,166 | -600 |
 Kai'Sa | 81 | 47% | -0.5 | 1,349 | -436 |
 Lux | 80 | 38% | -1.3 | 4,872 | 795 |
 Diana | 73 | 53% | 0.4 | 6,539 | 550 |
 Anivia | 72 | 50% | -0.2 | 10,694 | 714 |
 Kassadin | 72 | 43% | -1.0 | 3,971 | -684 |
 Jhin | 72 | 61% | 0.7 | 4,171 | 520 |
 Ahri | 71 | 54% | -0.3 | 7,248 | 551 |
 Lucian | 70 | 49% | -0.2 | 4,075 | -100 |
 Ekko | 70 | 40% | -0.9 | 6,448 | 174 |
 Lulu | 68 | 41% | -1.0 | 4,122 | 1,475 |
 Ezreal | 67 | 51% | -0.4 | 605 | -83 |
 Tristana | 66 | 53% | -0.5 | 2,538 | -655 |
 Vayne | 62 | 52% | -0.1 | 754 | 0 |
 Vladimir | 61 | 54% | -0.4 | 5,134 | 5 |
 Viego | 56 | 59% | 0.4 | 5,068 | 63 |
 Fizz | 55 | 45% | -0.9 | 7,191 | 55 |
 Thresh | 54 | 54% | -0.5 | 4,487 | 1,562 |
 Twisted Fate | 52 | 60% | 0.9 | 11,262 | 1,611 |
 Senna | 52 | 48% | -0.2 | 2,150 | 629 |
 Sylas | 51 | 49% | 0.0 | 5,804 | 577 |
 Talon | 50 | 56% | 0.4 | 6,076 | 374 |
 Veigar | 49 | 51% | 0.2 | 11,288 | 1,128 |
 Orianna | 47 | 62% | -0.7 | 6,914 | 643 |
 Darius | 47 | 43% | 0.7 | 1,574 | 187 |
 Yuumi | 47 | 47% | -2.0 | 4,065 | 1,441 |
 Qiyana | 45 | 38% | -0.7 | 3,232 | -346 |
 Jax | 43 | 67% | 0.4 | 2,624 | 41 |
 Sett | 43 | 51% | 0.1 | 3,131 | 198 |
 Alistar | 42 | 62% | 0.4 | 5,996 | 2,373 |
 Akali | 42 | 60% | -0.2 | 6,717 | 625 |
 Ryze | 40 | 55% | 1.0 | 10,212 | 712 |
 Caitlyn | 40 | 50% | -0.7 | 2,010 | 272 |
 Viktor | 40 | 53% | -0.4 | 3,344 | -77 |
 Seraphine | 40 | 53% | -0.5 | 5,349 | 1,341 |
 Camille | 40 | 57% | 0.8 | 1,339 | 522 |
 Syndra | 39 | 56% | 0.4 | 10,071 | 1,285 |
 LeBlanc | 36 | 61% | -1.2 | 6,025 | 721 |
 Morgana | 36 | 61% | 0.4 | 4,260 | 1,512 |
 Pantheon | 36 | 50% | 0.5 | 1,703 | 362 |
 Riven | 36 | 69% | 0.7 | 3,652 | 581 |
 Fiora | 35 | 57% | 0.1 | -464 | -363 |
 Jinx | 35 | 49% | 0.1 | 1,379 | 156 |
 Karma | 34 | 62% | 0.2 | 8,245 | 2,659 |
 Zoe | 33 | 58% | -0.3 | 4,927 | 1,131 |
 Malzahar | 32 | 56% | 0.7 | 9,051 | 1,326 |
 Gnar | 32 | 66% | 1.1 | 827 | 786 |
 Renekton | 31 | 52% | 0.2 | 5,287 | -539 |
 Janna | 30 | 50% | -0.2 | 3,016 | 1,653 |
 Vel'Koz | 30 | 43% | -1.8 | 1,605 | -426 |
 Nami | 29 | 55% | -0.3 | 4,126 | 1,836 |
 Galio | 28 | 50% | -0.3 | 8,292 | 1,944 |
 Xerath | 28 | 64% | -0.9 | 361 | 1,474 |
 Hecarim | 28 | 61% | -0.1 | 4,154 | 578 |
 Annie | 27 | 26% | -0.9 | 5,376 | 259 |
 Malphite | 27 | 52% | -0.7 | 3,342 | 348 |
 Azir | 27 | 48% | 0.0 | 9,355 | 808 |
 Xayah | 27 | 52% | 0.3 | 2,624 | -112 |
 Urgot | 26 | 46% | -0.2 | 2,780 | -254 |
 Pyke | 26 | 50% | -0.7 | 2,894 | 370 |
 Cassiopeia | 25 | 44% | -0.0 | 8,579 | 314 |
 Garen | 25 | 68% | 0.7 | 3,777 | 781 |
 Volibear | 25 | 52% | -0.5 | 226 | -712 |
 Kha'Zix | 25 | 44% | -0.9 | 2,188 | 76 |
 Neeko | 25 | 52% | -0.1 | 7,013 | 1,028 |
 Gragas | 24 | 63% | 0.9 | 4,676 | 1,723 |
 Leona | 24 | 63% | 1.8 | 5,911 | 2,553 |
 Kayn | 24 | 58% | 1.4 | 4,128 | 1,083 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Karthus skins are there?
There are 8 skins for Karthus. They are Phantom Karthus, Statue of Karthus, Grim Reaper Karthus, Pentakill Karthus, Fnatic Karthus, Karthus Lightsbane, Infernal Karthus, and the default skin.
Who counters Karthus?
Karthus is countered by Yone, Zed, Katarina.
Who does Karthus counter?
Karthus counters Yasuo, Diana, Jhin.
How do I play Karthus middle?
The exact items that you buy on any champion should differ from game to game, but the most common item build on middle Karthus is Liandry's Anguish first into Zhonya's Hourglass and Archangel's Staff. Players usually take Sorcerer's Shoes for boots.
Where should I play Karthus?
77% of Karthus players play jungle.