Karthus - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
52.6%
Pick Rate
0.9%

Karthusvs Xin Zhao

SMage
Patch26.14
Matches491,560
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedJul 22, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Karthus vs Xin Zhao is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.14. Xin Zhao wins with a 61.5% win rate (+23.1%) over Karthus based on 13 games. Karthus wins the early laning phase while Xin Zhao scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Karthus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup.

Join Our Discord
Bug reports, feature requests & developer chat
Join Discord
Metabot Logo
MetaBot Desktop
Counter picks in champ select

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.

Compare against an opponent
Karthus - 38.5% win rate in this matchup
Karthus
38.5% WR
VS
Xin Zhao vs Karthus matchup - 61.5% win rate
Xin Zhao
61.5% WR

Who Wins the Karthus vs Xin Zhao Matchup?

Xin Zhao wins the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup
Winner
Xin Zhao
Matches: 13
38.5%
Win Rate
61.5%
2.1
CS / min
1.6
1,364
DMG / min
846
16,137
Gold / game
16,105
274
Heal / min
758
545
DMG Mitigated / min
1,237
0.6
CC / min
0.8
50.0%
Early Game WR
50.0%
33.3%
Late Game WR
66.7%

Karthus vs Xin Zhao Matchup Summary

The Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 13 recent matches analyzed, Xin Zhao wins with a 61.5% win rate compared to Karthus's 38.5%, giving Xin Zhao a 23.1 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Karthus controls the early laning stage, but Xin Zhao outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Karthus needs to press advantages before Xin Zhao reaches their power spikes, while Xin Zhao should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in sustain, where Xin Zhao leads by 1,177 HP/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Xin Zhao has a strong advantage in this matchup. Karthus players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Xin Zhao overextending. Avoid prolonged trades and wait for team fights where positioning and coordination matter more. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Karthus vs Xin Zhao Laning Phase Breakdown

Karthus wins the laning phase against Xin Zhao in League of Legends

Karthus is favored during the laning phase against Xin Zhao, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Karthus holds advantages in farming, damage and gold income, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
2.1Karthus
1.6Xin Zhao
Karthus edges out Xin Zhao by 0.5 CS per minute — a moderate farming advantage that adds up to roughly 7 CS over a 15-minute laning phase. This translates to earlier component purchases and slightly faster power spikes for Karthus.
Damage
1,364Karthus
846Xin Zhao
Karthus heavily out-damages Xin Zhao by 518 DMG/min, dominating both short trades and all-in fights. Xin Zhao should avoid extended combat and instead focus on burst trade patterns — short engages followed by immediate disengagement — to avoid letting Karthus's sustained damage advantage take over.
Economy
16,137Karthus
16,105Xin Zhao
Karthus and Xin Zhao generate nearly equal gold per game, with just a 31 gold difference. Neither champion has a clear economic advantage, so gold leads will depend on individual play quality, kill participation, and objective contributions.
Utility
0.6Karthus
0.8Xin Zhao
Both Karthus and Xin Zhao provide similar amounts of crowd control (0.2s/min difference), meaning neither has a significant advantage in locking down opponents for ganks or team fights. Lane ganks are equally effective for both sides.
Sustain
818Karthus
1,996Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao vastly out-sustains Karthus, healing and mitigating 1,177 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Xin Zhao can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Karthus is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Karthus, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Best Karthus Build Against Xin Zhao

Sorcerer's Shoes is the optimal boots choice against Xin Zhao, providing the mobility and stats Karthus needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Karthus against Xin Zhao are Liandry's Torment, Shadowflame and Morellonomicon. This combination gives Karthus an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Karthus
50.0%
+0.0% advantage
Karthus early game win rateKarthus50.0%
Xin Zhao early game win rateXin Zhao50.0%
Late Game
Xin Zhao
66.7%
+33.3% advantage
Karthus late game win rateKarthus33.3%
Xin Zhao late game win rateXin Zhao66.7%

The early game (first 15 minutes) is a toss-up between Karthus and Xin Zhao, with Karthus holding a razor-thin 50.0% win rate edge (+0.0%). Individual skill and jungle proximity will matter more than champion advantage in the early laning phase.

Xin Zhao is far superior in the late game (25+ minutes), boasting a 66.7% win rate — 33.3 points above Karthus. Extended games heavily favor Xin Zhao, whose kit and scaling make them a dominant force in team fights and objective control.

The power dynamics shift as the game progresses — Karthus has the edge early, but Xin Zhao gradually takes over. However, the margins are slim enough that either champion can win at any stage with the right plays. Focus on taking advantages when you have them rather than waiting for a specific game phase.

Best Karthus Runes Against Xin Zhao

Domination rune tree - Karthus primary runes vs Xin ZhaoDomination
Dark Harvest - best Karthus rune vs Xin ZhaoCheap Shot - best Karthus rune vs Xin ZhaoGrisly Mementos - best Karthus rune vs Xin ZhaoUltimate Hunter - best Karthus rune vs Xin Zhao
Sorcery rune tree - Karthus secondary runes vs Xin ZhaoSorcery
Axiom Arcanist - best Karthus rune vs Xin ZhaoGathering Storm - best Karthus rune vs Xin Zhao
20.0% WR

The Domination and Sorcery rune setup gives Karthus the best tools to compete against Xin Zhao in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.


Karthus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.14. 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.

Karthus matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.14
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
50.00%341.51,21014,46054.5%47.8%
53.85%261.71,10713,35375.0%44.4%
65.38%261.61,21314,12962.5%66.7%
42.86%211.61,27314,86962.5%30.8%
57.14%216.71,27214,85833.3%66.7%
66.67%216.91,36914,65075.0%61.5%
60.00%206.21,54715,16337.5%75.0%
47.37%192.31,29912,04137.5%54.5%
36.84%196.31,22212,59850.0%30.8%
63.16%191.31,18912,55066.7%61.5%
44.44%181.598412,23128.6%54.5%
41.18%171.31,17413,39350.0%36.4%
64.71%171.41,13313,53860.0%66.7%
58.82%176.11,29612,02328.6%80.0%
31.25%161.199810,23422.2%42.9%
37.50%161.21,03611,54922.2%57.1%
56.25%161.41,29115,82233.3%61.5%
53.33%153.81,15513,36371.4%37.5%
57.14%141.51,18916,77080.0%44.4%
71.43%141.11,31714,69160.0%77.8%
38.46%132.11,36416,13750.0%33.3%
69.23%131.71,10914,29450.0%77.8%
38.46%131.61,25013,79266.7%30.0%
38.46%131.91,01213,36340.0%37.5%
50.00%121.61,10111,97450.0%50.0%
50.00%121.31,07513,07060.0%42.9%
33.33%125.81,24213,03514.3%60.0%
36.36%111.21,17313,47040.0%33.3%
45.45%111.31,27013,00666.7%37.5%
45.45%111.41,19814,74550.0%44.4%
72.73%111.71,13312,27275.0%71.4%
40.00%106.41,24514,25550.0%37.5%
50.00%101.21,07211,23725.0%66.7%
60.00%103.81,32616,244100.0%55.6%
50.00%107.01,11913,92733.3%57.1%
50.00%106.11,27114,6470.0%62.5%
66.67%91.71,14715,247100.0%57.1%
77.78%96.61,16214,76466.7%83.3%
37.50%85.91,03911,3920.0%100.0%
87.50%84.11,12512,35175.0%100.0%
57.14%71.71,40716,43933.3%75.0%
57.14%76.81,18913,55850.0%60.0%
28.57%75.78099,61440.0%0.0%
71.43%75.31,42315,6410.0%83.3%
50.00%67.81,51610,97075.0%0.0%
16.67%66.81,0689,34925.0%0.0%
16.67%67.01,14313,26333.3%0.0%
66.67%65.71,15611,1440.0%100.0%
50.00%62.51,11011,40975.0%0.0%
66.67%67.51,51118,2240.0%80.0%
60.00%55.61,04712,658100.0%50.0%
60.00%51.41,36115,8020.0%75.0%
40.00%52.11,18610,48033.3%50.0%
60.00%52.31,12814,9440.0%75.0%
20.00%55.81,75514,34450.0%0.0%
40.00%57.01,62911,36466.7%0.0%
80.00%53.31,36913,229100.0%66.7%
40.00%53.21,67613,06650.0%33.3%
60.00%51.11,23114,7290.0%75.0%
100.00%21.51,21814,599100.0%100.0%

Get the MetaBot Desktop App

Level up your gameplay with real-time overlays, automatic game detection, and instant stats — all on your desktop.

In-game overlaysAuto game detectionMulti-game supportPersonal dashboard
Download NowFree download
🔍

Help us maintain accuracy! If you notice incorrect stats, missing data, or any issues, your feedback directly improves the quality of our data for the entire community.

Report an Issue

Karthus vs Xin Zhao - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Karthus do against Xin Zhao in League of Legends?

Xin Zhao wins the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup with a 61.5% win rate compared to Karthus's 38.5%, a 23.1 percentage point difference. This data is based on 13 recent ranked games in patch 26.14.

How does Karthus do against Xin Zhao in the early game?

In the early game, Karthus has the advantage against Xin Zhao with a 50.0% win rate versus 50.0%. Karthus players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Karthus do against Xin Zhao in the late game?

In the late game, Xin Zhao takes over the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup with a 66.7% win rate compared to 33.3%. Xin Zhao scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup?

Xin Zhao wins the matchup against Karthus with a 61.5% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.14. The 23.1 percentage point advantage means Xin Zhao is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 13 games analyzed.

What is the best Karthus build against Xin Zhao?

The best Karthus build against Xin Zhao includes Liandry's Torment, Shadowflame, Morellonomicon with Sorcerer's Shoes. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Karthus runes against Xin Zhao?

The best Karthus runes against Xin Zhao use the Domination primary tree with Sorcery secondary. This rune setup achieves a 20.0% win rate in the Karthus vs Xin Zhao matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Karthus counter Xin Zhao?

No, Karthus struggles against Xin Zhao with only a 38.5% win rate. Xin Zhao has the advantage in this matchup. Karthus players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Xin Zhao's lead.

How do I play Karthus against Xin Zhao?

When playing Karthus against Xin Zhao, play cautiously and avoid Xin Zhao's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Xin Zhao has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.