Karthus

Karthus top build

TOP 2%

Stats

Win Rate
55.8%
Role pick rate
1.7%
Games analyzed
450
Damage
25,259
Damage breakdown

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

Death Defied (Passive)

Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.

Lay Waste

Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.

Wall of Pain

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.

Defile

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.

Requiem

After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.

Build

Summoner SpellsPick RateWin Rate
Flash
Teleport
55.8%51.4%
Exhaust
Flash
28.4%58.6%
Starting ItemsPick RateWin Rate
Doran's Ring
Health Potion
Health Potion
63.6%57.7%
TrinketsPick RateWin Rate
Stealth Ward
68.7%57.3%
Farsight Alteration
26.0%52.1%
BootsPick RateWin Rate
Sorcerer's Shoes
89.6%56.6%
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4.4%55.0%
SkillsPick RateWin Rate
Lay Waste
Q
Defile
E
Wall of Pain
W
Lay Waste
Q
Lay Waste
Q
Requiem
R
Lay Waste
Q
Defile
E
46.2%54.8%
Lay Waste
Q
Defile
E
Lay Waste
Q
Wall of Pain
W
Lay Waste
Q
Requiem
R
Lay Waste
Q
Defile
E
29.3%55.3%
Build Order

Liandry's Anguish
P
78%
W
56%

Luden's Tempest
P
8%
W
62%

Runes

Matchups

ChampionGames Playedsorted descendingWin %KDA DifferenceDamage DifferenceGold Difference
Gnar
Gnar
3462%0.68,434933
Fiora
Fiora
2374%0.912,036810
Riven
Riven
2162%-0.05,024-1,505
Mordekaiser
Mordekaiser
1947%0.110,798-7
Camille
Camille
1947%-0.18,254-224
Irelia
Irelia
1833%-0.26,454-1,647
Sett
Sett
1650%-0.64,054-1,088
Sion
Sion
1553%-1.116,746342
Urgot
Urgot
1443%-0.610,512-554
Jax
Jax
1471%0.28,018-1,197
Malphite
Malphite
1267%0.116,6943,769
Garen
Garen
1250%-0.310,613-779
Gangplank
Gangplank
1145%-0.19,066-625
Shen
Shen
1020%-2.816,3191,187
Darius
Darius
1070%0.118,124632
Yasuo
Yasuo
1040%0.33,247-773
Teemo
Teemo
967%1.210,7252,016
Volibear
Volibear
944%-3.94,636-2,381
Aatrox
Aatrox
944%-0.68,243-753
Renekton
Renekton
863%0.68,5424
Wukong
Wukong
863%-1.39,028-1,605
Viego
Viego
850%0.94,707-737
Ornn
Ornn
875%0.315,9382,169
Gragas
Gragas
633%0.411,6771,210
Quinn
Quinn
667%0.78,541510
Zed
Zed
683%-2.8-4,609-2,814
Yone
Yone
667%-0.44,301-2,615
Cho'Gath
Cho'Gath
560%-1.47,117-1,441
Nasus
Nasus
560%0.211,1761,969
Kennen
Kennen
5100%0.818,6964,146
Jayce
Jayce
560%0.07,438-579
Kayle
Kayle
425%-0.36,650-1,303
Maokai
Maokai
450%-1.211,017801
Vayne
Vayne
450%0.210,508-722
Heimerdinger
Heimerdinger
475%0.68,2151,868
Rengar
Rengar
40%-1.48,874-3,062
Diana
Diana
40%-1.7-3,258-2,542
Lucian
Lucian
4100%0.71,067-2,463
Ryze
Ryze
367%2.410,9651,274
Tristana
Tristana
367%-0.9-6,095-2,470
Katarina
Katarina
367%-1.7-1,760-2,612
Poppy
Poppy
3100%1.24,548458
Viktor
Viktor
367%-1.52,778-1,539
Illaoi
Illaoi
333%0.26,511-1,628

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 Mordekaiser, Camille, Irelia.

Who does Karthus counter?

Karthus counters Gnar, Fiora, Riven.

How do I play Karthus top?

The exact items that you buy on any champion should differ from game to game, but the most common item build on top Karthus is Liandry's Anguish first into Zhonya's Hourglass and Morellonomicon. Players usually take Sorcerer's Shoes for boots.

Where should I play Karthus?

77% of Karthus players play jungle.