Karthusvs Graves
Karthus vs Graves is a moderate matchup in LoL patch 26.11. Karthus wins with a 52.1% win rate (+4.2%) over Graves based on 48 games. Graves wins the early laning phase while Karthus scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Karthus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Karthus vs Graves matchup.
Karthus Matchup Breakdown
Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Karthus performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.
Who Wins the Karthus vs Graves Matchup?
Karthus vs Graves Matchup Summary
The Karthus vs Graves matchup is a moderate matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 48 recent matches analyzed, Karthus wins with a 52.1% win rate compared to Graves's 47.9%, giving Karthus a 4.2 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Graves controls the early laning stage, but Karthus outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Graves needs to press advantages before Karthus reaches their power spikes, while Karthus should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in damage output, where Karthus leads by 442 DMG/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Karthus has a statistical edge, but the margin is close enough that respecting Graves's strengths is important. Trade when cooldowns are favorable, track the enemy jungler, and build toward your strongest item spikes to convert the slight advantage into a decisive lead. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.
Karthus vs Graves Laning Phase Breakdown
Graves is favored during the laning phase against Karthus, winning 4 out of 5 key stat categories. Graves holds advantages in farming, gold income, crowd control and sustain, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.
Best Karthus Build Against Graves
Sorcerer's Shoes is the optimal boots choice against Graves, providing the mobility and stats Karthus needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Karthus against Graves are Shadowflame, Void Staff and Rabadon's Deathcap. This combination gives Karthus an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. This build achieves a solid 50.0% win rate across 4 games, proving it to be a reliable item path when facing Graves. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Karthus vs Graves matchup.
Early Game vs Late Game
Karthus47.1%
Graves52.9%Karthus54.8%Graves45.2%Graves dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 52.9% win rate — a 5.9 percentage point lead over Karthus. This lopsided early game means Graves can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.
Karthus is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 54.8% win rate — 9.7 points above Graves. Extended games heavily favor Karthus, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.
This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Graves must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Karthus reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Karthus survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.
Best Karthus Runes Against Graves
Sorcery
Domination
Running Sorcery primary with Domination secondary allows Karthus to press their advantage against Graves, amplifying the strengths that make this a favorable matchup.
Karthus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.11. The table below shows Karthus's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Karthus build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.
Opponent | Win Rate | Matches | CS/min | DMG/min | Gold/game | Early WR | Late WR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49.09% | 55 | 1.4 | 1,030 | 12,957 | 47.8% | 50.0% | |
| 43.64% | 55 | 1.7 | 1,170 | 13,037 | 40.0% | 46.7% | |
| 45.10% | 51 | 1.6 | 1,057 | 13,346 | 31.8% | 55.2% | |
| 59.18% | 49 | 6.3 | 1,291 | 13,609 | 50.0% | 65.5% | |
| 52.08% | 48 | 1.5 | 1,259 | 14,655 | 47.1% | 54.8% | |
| 42.22% | 45 | 1.5 | 1,017 | 13,071 | 43.8% | 41.4% | |
| 37.78% | 45 | 1.3 | 1,027 | 12,768 | 40.9% | 34.8% | |
| 64.44% | 45 | 6.5 | 1,326 | 16,022 | 86.7% | 53.3% | |
| 50.00% | 42 | 6.6 | 1,197 | 13,070 | 66.7% | 33.3% | |
| 43.59% | 39 | 6.3 | 1,215 | 13,238 | 50.0% | 36.8% | |
| 57.89% | 38 | 1.4 | 1,263 | 13,760 | 53.3% | 60.9% | |
| 47.37% | 38 | 1.5 | 1,144 | 13,402 | 37.5% | 54.5% | |
| 34.21% | 38 | 1.9 | 1,067 | 12,867 | 40.0% | 30.4% | |
| 43.24% | 37 | 1.8 | 1,212 | 13,463 | 57.1% | 34.8% | |
| 38.24% | 34 | 7.0 | 1,247 | 13,842 | 33.3% | 42.1% | |
| 46.88% | 32 | 1.8 | 1,146 | 12,845 | 38.5% | 52.6% | |
| 43.33% | 30 | 1.8 | 1,294 | 14,569 | 58.3% | 33.3% | |
| 55.17% | 29 | 6.1 | 1,203 | 12,390 | 66.7% | 42.9% | |
| 46.43% | 28 | 1.4 | 1,030 | 12,474 | 53.3% | 38.5% | |
| 57.14% | 28 | 6.6 | 1,423 | 15,214 | 50.0% | 62.5% | |
| 40.74% | 27 | 1.3 | 1,335 | 15,992 | 16.7% | 47.6% | |
| 28.00% | 25 | 1.8 | 1,163 | 13,295 | 30.0% | 26.7% | |
| 66.67% | 24 | 1.6 | 1,146 | 14,337 | 75.0% | 58.3% | |
| 45.45% | 22 | 1.5 | 1,307 | 14,905 | 50.0% | 44.4% | |
| 66.67% | 21 | 2.2 | 1,201 | 13,572 | 77.8% | 58.3% | |
| 55.00% | 20 | 1.6 | 1,267 | 13,968 | 60.0% | 50.0% | |
| 68.42% | 19 | 5.6 | 1,496 | 16,092 | 100.0% | 60.0% | |
| 63.16% | 19 | 1.3 | 1,116 | 14,409 | 62.5% | 63.6% | |
| 38.89% | 18 | 1.5 | 1,448 | 14,535 | 42.9% | 36.4% | |
| 55.56% | 18 | 6.4 | 1,276 | 13,454 | 66.7% | 44.4% | |
| 72.22% | 18 | 5.1 | 1,121 | 11,322 | 60.0% | 87.5% | |
| 35.29% | 17 | 1.5 | 1,056 | 12,455 | 36.4% | 33.3% | |
| 52.94% | 17 | 1.3 | 1,370 | 15,161 | 57.1% | 50.0% | |
| 76.47% | 17 | 6.5 | 1,263 | 15,482 | 80.0% | 75.0% | |
| 47.06% | 17 | 1.5 | 960 | 12,244 | 44.4% | 50.0% | |
| 52.94% | 17 | 6.5 | 1,330 | 13,719 | 66.7% | 45.5% | |
| 43.75% | 16 | 1.4 | 1,244 | 15,497 | 50.0% | 41.7% | |
| 56.25% | 16 | 1.3 | 1,080 | 13,221 | 80.0% | 45.5% | |
| 53.33% | 15 | 5.4 | 1,373 | 13,678 | 75.0% | 45.5% | |
| 35.71% | 14 | 1.6 | 1,239 | 13,567 | 44.4% | 20.0% | |
| 28.57% | 14 | 6.7 | 1,359 | 11,934 | 50.0% | 12.5% | |
| 42.86% | 14 | 2.4 | 1,250 | 14,777 | 40.0% | 44.4% | |
| 50.00% | 14 | 1.6 | 1,082 | 15,541 | 25.0% | 60.0% | |
| 69.23% | 13 | 6.5 | 1,305 | 13,965 | 57.1% | 83.3% | |
| 61.54% | 13 | 6.5 | 1,256 | 12,939 | 60.0% | 62.5% | |
| 53.85% | 13 | 2.5 | 1,052 | 12,276 | 75.0% | 44.4% | |
| 58.33% | 12 | 5.9 | 1,027 | 10,269 | 57.1% | 60.0% | |
| 83.33% | 12 | 1.3 | 1,229 | 13,183 | 80.0% | 85.7% | |
| 50.00% | 12 | 5.4 | 1,340 | 14,967 | 75.0% | 37.5% | |
| 45.45% | 11 | 1.4 | 1,031 | 13,145 | 57.1% | 25.0% | |
| 72.73% | 11 | 1.6 | 1,027 | 12,997 | 100.0% | 57.1% | |
| 27.27% | 11 | 5.9 | 1,132 | 13,232 | 0.0% | 42.9% | |
| 30.00% | 10 | 3.2 | 1,059 | 13,472 | 25.0% | 33.3% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 7.4 | 1,271 | 15,568 | 100.0% | 57.1% | |
| 70.00% | 10 | 2.9 | 1,144 | 15,271 | 100.0% | 62.5% | |
| 50.00% | 10 | 7.2 | 1,138 | 12,216 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 10 | 2.9 | 1,376 | 15,578 | 0.0% | 44.4% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 5.5 | 1,266 | 13,151 | 50.0% | 60.0% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 4.9 | 927 | 10,925 | 20.0% | 50.0% | |
| 44.44% | 9 | 6.2 | 1,072 | 10,467 | 33.3% | 66.7% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 3.3 | 1,212 | 14,875 | 100.0% | 42.9% | |
| 55.56% | 9 | 1.4 | 1,252 | 15,076 | 100.0% | 42.9% | |
| 77.78% | 9 | 2.9 | 1,165 | 14,153 | 66.7% | 83.3% | |
| 33.33% | 9 | 2.1 | 1,195 | 13,834 | 33.3% | 33.3% | |
| 87.50% | 8 | 1.3 | 1,113 | 14,337 | 80.0% | 100.0% | |
| 25.00% | 8 | 1.3 | 1,285 | 13,222 | 50.0% | 16.7% | |
| 87.50% | 8 | 6.4 | 1,182 | 14,464 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
| 75.00% | 8 | 1.7 | 1,650 | 16,965 | 50.0% | 83.3% | |
| 75.00% | 8 | 6.7 | 1,197 | 15,023 | 75.0% | 75.0% | |
| 62.50% | 8 | 2.0 | 991 | 13,519 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 37.50% | 8 | 1.7 | 996 | 13,524 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 6.3 | 1,632 | 17,174 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 2.9 | 1,108 | 11,950 | 25.0% | 66.7% | |
| 14.29% | 7 | 1.1 | 907 | 12,626 | 25.0% | 0.0% | |
| 71.43% | 7 | 6.9 | 1,202 | 14,284 | 50.0% | 80.0% | |
| 85.71% | 7 | 5.5 | 1,332 | 17,108 | 0.0% | 85.7% | |
| 42.86% | 7 | 4.1 | 1,210 | 13,964 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 28.57% | 7 | 6.0 | 1,442 | 13,367 | 0.0% | 40.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 7.0 | 1,427 | 13,690 | 33.3% | 75.0% | |
| 57.14% | 7 | 2.4 | 1,124 | 12,107 | 40.0% | 100.0% | |
| 85.71% | 7 | 1.0 | 1,062 | 14,104 | 50.0% | 100.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 7.1 | 1,388 | 12,743 | 50.0% | 50.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 6.8 | 1,144 | 11,486 | 0.0% | 66.7% | |
| 66.67% | 6 | 4.2 | 1,440 | 15,135 | 100.0% | 60.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 2.3 | 965 | 9,779 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 2.5 | 1,074 | 12,120 | 50.0% | 0.0% | |
| 33.33% | 6 | 6.6 | 1,316 | 11,448 | 0.0% | 66.7% | |
| 16.67% | 6 | 5.8 | 1,303 | 13,270 | 0.0% | 25.0% | |
| 50.00% | 6 | 2.5 | 1,437 | 16,735 | 0.0% | 75.0% | |
| 20.00% | 5 | 6.3 | 1,409 | 13,939 | 0.0% | 33.3% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 5.3 | 798 | 6,518 | 0.0% | 100.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 1.1 | 1,418 | 14,804 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 3.4 | 1,190 | 15,035 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 4.6 | 1,656 | 13,732 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 80.00% | 5 | 6.7 | 1,331 | 10,470 | 66.7% | 100.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 2.0 | 1,292 | 14,405 | 100.0% | 50.0% | |
| 20.00% | 5 | 6.0 | 1,206 | 10,846 | 33.3% | 0.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.7 | 1,012 | 12,710 | 0.0% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.3 | 1,482 | 13,690 | 100.0% | 25.0% | |
| 60.00% | 5 | 5.9 | 1,400 | 13,383 | 66.7% | 50.0% | |
| 40.00% | 5 | 6.5 | 1,189 | 9,677 | 25.0% | 100.0% | |
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Karthus vs Graves - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Karthus do against Graves in League of Legends?
Karthus wins the Karthus vs Graves matchup with a 52.1% win rate compared to Graves's 47.9%, a 4.2 percentage point difference. This data is based on 48 recent ranked games in patch 26.11.
How does Karthus do against Graves in the early game?
In the early game, Graves has the advantage against Karthus with a 52.9% win rate versus 47.1%. Graves players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.
How does Karthus do against Graves in the late game?
In the late game, Karthus takes over the Karthus vs Graves matchup with a 54.8% win rate compared to 45.2%. Karthus scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.
Who wins the Karthus vs Graves matchup?
Karthus wins the matchup against Graves with a 52.1% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.11. The 4.2 percentage point advantage means Karthus is moderately favored in this lane matchup based on 48 games analyzed.
What is the best Karthus build against Graves?
The best Karthus build against Graves includes Shadowflame, Void Staff, Rabadon's Deathcap with Sorcerer's Shoes. This build achieves a 50.0% win rate in the matchup. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.
What are the best Karthus runes against Graves?
The best Karthus runes against Graves use the Sorcery primary tree with Domination secondary. This rune setup achieves a 100.0% win rate in the Karthus vs Graves matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.
Does Karthus counter Graves?
Yes, Karthus has a favorable matchup against Graves with a 52.1% win rate. Karthus has a solid advantage over Graves in lane based on current patch 26.11 data.
How do I play Karthus against Graves?
When playing Karthus against Graves, leverage your statistical advantages by trading aggressively during favorable windows. Play safe early and scale into your power spikes where you outperform Graves. Build the recommended items and runes for this specific matchup for the best results.