Karthus Build Guide by

2.4 Million Mastery-Lane Karthus Guide-Season 13

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15 Comments League of Legends Build Guide Author Hullos

Karthus Build Guide By Updated on

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(3) |

what about going exhaust and barrier

Personally I am not a huge fan of not having flash. But if you are hyper focused on winning lane it could be good. While I don't think it will save you in really bad match ups, it could shift some not great lanes to decent ones. Big issue for me though is you lose a lot of positioning potential during team fights. But if its a lose lane lose game sort of match, then you might find it good.

(7) |

Hello there. Your guide is nice and well structured, vast amount of builds and explanations, but still not a text wall thanks to tcon images that you have inserted.
The only two things that I have moticed are the missing note on rune, and some missing matchup in the "Threats" box (for example, the newest champion . Good work.

Is the last stand rune in affect throughout Karhthus passive?

Yes, while in passive Last Stand has the max damage bonus the whole time.

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(2) |

Howdy, ever think about first strike karthus? the only issue i have run into with it is the fact it falls off once you are full build, which you achieve rather quickly. You also lose the ability of either domination tree or precision, which is sub-par considering he can only take one with inspiration primary

The rune is playable. but as you said losing domination tree is a big downside. The only matchup I would consider it is in a melee matchup where you feel confident so you proc it enough to make it worth it and give you a good probability of getting a massive gold lead.

Great guide, very helpful as a new LoL (not new MOBA) player...many thanks

Hello, I am very new to karthus and want him for if I ever get put mid. Is you guide still up to date? Is there anything I should know about before reading it?

Yes the guide is up to date. The two things I would say if you are starting out is always go for liandry's till you get better on karthus. The second is don't take tear, at least till they change the item, a lot of new karthus player take tear when the item is just not good right now. My guide is a bit confusing on items for people starting on karthus, I might add a section for that.

Is there any reason for not building tear? I understand that you believe that the stats aren't worth it but by building a lost chapter mythic I feel like it would be. Also, what is your opinion on starting with a dark seal? I play rather safe on karthus, much safer than any other champion, basically until six.

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Tear has a few issues for me, first is that it offers no HP. The 70 hp of dorins or even the 40 of dark seal is a huge help into lane where the opponent can kill you. Even if you were in a farm lane where the hp is not as big a deal, I would still prefer a dark seal in that case for free stacks from ult. Not to mention the loss of any flat dmg. Also as you play karthus, the better you become at conserving mana, especially if you take the aery rune page with manaflow. As for dark seal, I personally don't take it starting too often, but I do think its good. When I do take it, I usually take it when I get a first back, then if I have or see myself getting a lane lead, buy it. Though as I said it is also good in a farm lane as it can basically get free stacks from ult.

From what I am understanding it is bad to start tear because of the fact it gives no health unlike the other starting items. But, what about getting it as a first back, similarly to Dark Seal?

What is your thoughts on a full ability haste Karthus build?

Getting tear first back would only be helpful if you have major mana issues, and that only happens when you don't build a mythic with mana. The item that builds out of tear is also not good. The staff only grants a bunch of mana(which you don't need most times) and a decent bit of ap. The problem becomes the now late tear stacking and how expensive the item is, all when its not worth it. At that point demonic embrace would just be better because it not only grants HP and resistances but, with the passive, more dmg overall and at the same price with out the need for stacks. If you have mana problems on karthus for lane the aery rune page with mana flow is very good in lane.

As for ability haste, while its never bad to have some, Karthus does not gain a whole lot compared to other champs. While the ult and wall CD reduction is nice, your Q and E are basically not effected by it. So prioritizing items because of ability haste is not a great idea, but no matter the build you will always have at least 30-40 ability haste.

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