How to Play Dark Star Karma
A stage-by-stage plan for Dark Star Karma: opener, when to level and roll for Karma, and where to position the board.
- Tier
- D
- Top 4 rate
- 43.1%
- Avg place
- 5.25
- 1st place
- 5.5%
- Playstyle
- 2-cost reroll
- Games
- 32
How to level and roll with Dark Star Karma
2-cost rerollDark Star Karma is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Mordekaiser reach 3 stars. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-cost.
| Stage | Level | Action | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | 4 | Level | Level to 4 and play your strongest pairs; slam an early item if it saves HP. |
| 2-5 | 5 | Level | Level to 5 and keep building interest toward 50 gold. |
| 3-2 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Mordekaiser hit 3 stars. |
| 3-5 | 6 | Slow roll | Stay at level 6: roll only the gold above 50 each round until Mordekaiser hit 3 stars. |
| 4-1 | 7 | Level | Once your 3-stars are done, level up and add the units that complete your traits. |
| 4-5 | 8 | Level | Level to 8 for 4-cost upgrades and a stronger frontline. |
| 5-1 | 8 | Roll down | Roll for the last upgrades and finish the board around Karma. |
Dark Star Karma early game and opener
Boards that lead into Dark Star Karma at levels 4 to 7, taken from MetaBot Desktop round data — play the one closest to your shops.
2 games · 83% rounds won · 75% of units carry into the final comp
1 games · 100% rounds won · 60% of units carry into the final comp
7 games · 83% rounds won · 100% of units carry into the final compRolling odds for Dark Star Karma
Your 3-star targets are Mordekaiser. Level 6 gives the best shop odds for them — use the calculator to see how much gold a 3-star costs.
Rolldown calculator: Mordekaiser
Pre-set to this comp's roll level. Change copies owned, copies other players hold and your gold.
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Dark Star Karma positioning
A starting board for Dark Star Karma. Drag units to adjust it, switch to the anti-assassin layout when the lobby has divers, and copy the Team Planner code into the TFT client.
- Corner Karma on the back line and put Illaoi in front of it.
- Split Karma and Kai'Sa across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both.
- Illaoi, Meepsie, and Mordekaiser hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry.
- Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Cho'Gath and Meepsie in the back corners as bait.
Positioning board
Drag a unit onto another hex to move it — dropping on a unit swaps them.
When to play Dark Star Karma
Strengths
- Big power spike once Mordekaiser hit 3 stars
- Two damage threats (Karma and Kai'Sa) make itemizing flexible
- Rarely played, so its units are usually free
- Strong mid game once the reroll units are upgraded
Weaknesses
- Average place is worse than 70% of comps of the same board size
- Falls off hard if someone else is rerolling Mordekaiser
Strategic Tips
Economy
Reach 50 gold, then slow roll at level 6 with only the excess until Mordekaiser are 3-starred.
Itemization
Build Jeweled Gauntlet, Spear of Shojin, and Void Staff on Karma.
When to pivot
Scout at 2-1 and 3-2: if two or more players hold your core units, or you haven't found any by 3-2, move into one of the comps on the Similar Comps tab instead of forcing Dark Star Karma.
Get the Winning Edge
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How to play Dark Star Karma – FAQ (TFT Set 17)
How do you play Dark Star Karma?
Dark Star Karma is a reroll comp: slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, keeping 50+ gold and rolling only the excess until Mordekaiser reach 3 stars. Corner Karma on the back line and put Illaoi in front of it. Build Jeweled Gauntlet, Spear of Shojin, and Void Staff on Karma.
When should I roll down for Dark Star Karma?
Dark Star Karma doesn't do one big roll down. Slow roll at level 6 from stage 3-2, rolling only the gold above 50 until Mordekaiser are 3-starred.
What level do you roll for Mordekaiser?
Slow roll for Mordekaiser at level 6, where its cost tier shows up most often in the shop. At level 6, each shop slot has a 40% chance to be a 2-cost.
Is Dark Star Karma a reroll comp?
Yes. Dark Star Karma wants Mordekaiser at 3 stars, so slow roll at level 6 with gold above 50 until you hit them.
How do you position Dark Star Karma?
Corner Karma on the back line and put Illaoi in front of it. Split Karma and Kai'Sa across the back line so a single area spell can't hit both. Illaoi, Meepsie, and Mordekaiser hold the front line — put the tankiest one opposite the enemy carry. Against assassins, step your carries up one row and leave Cho'Gath and Meepsie in the back corners as bait.
What is the best opener for Dark Star Karma?
The most common level 4 board that turns into Dark Star Karma is Illaoi, Meepsie, Lissandra, and Pyke (2 games tracked).