Karthus AP Runes

Build Patch 14.18

Core Karthus Item Build Order

55.0% Win Rate (14,729 Games)
Doran's Shield

Starting

Blackfire Torch

1st

Sorcerer's Shoes

2nd

Liandry's Torment

3rd

Liandry's Torment

4th

Blackfire Torch

5th

Rabadon's Deathcap

6th

Doran's Shield
Blackfire Torch
Sorcerer's Shoes
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment
Blackfire Torch
Rabadon's Deathcap

Core Karthus Item Build Path

Situational

Malignance
Shadowflame
Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Morellonomicon
Mejai's Soulstealer
Stormsurge

Summoner Spells

Exhaust
26,447 Games54%
16801 Games55%

Karthus Skill Order

0
Death Defied

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

Lay Waste
Wall of Pain
Defile
Requiem

Karthus Guide

Learn Karthus with our Karthus guide. Learn about Karthus's strengths and Karthus's weaknesses, and harness key insights to optimize your playstyle. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to Karthus, our guide provides the tools you need to dominate the battlefield.
Key Insights
  • If
    Karthus
    Q
    only hits one enemy, it deals double damage.
  • Karthus
    Q
    and
    Karthus
    W
    reveal their affected areas.
  • Karthus
    E
    deals an extra tick of damage when Karthus recasts it.
  • Karthus
    R
    damages all targetable enemy champions.
Strengths
  • Even if Karthus is killed first, he continues fighting with
    Karthus
    P
    , giving his team an advantage in fights since enemy resources were used on him.
  • Forces enemies to play with a "lower HP bar" since he can cast
    Karthus
    R
    at any point to finish them off.
  • Best with items enhancing magic damage, penetration, and burst potential.
Weaknesses
  • Completely immobile, leaving him vulnerable to ganks.
  • When fighting, if Karthus misses a single
    Karthus
    Q
    , it becomes much harder to land one.
  • Vulnerable to items that mitigate magic damage or negate spell effects, aiding in reducing the impact of his
    Karthus
    R
    .