Varus - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
47.1%
Pick Rate
2.1%

Varusvs Katarina

FMarksmanMage
Patch26.7
Matches949,984
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedApr 19, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Varus vs Katarina is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.7. Katarina wins with a 80.0% win rate (+60.0%) over Varus based on 5 games. Katarina wins the early laning phase while Varus scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Varus build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Varus vs Katarina matchup.

Varus Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Varus 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
Katarina - 20.0% win rateKatarina(20.0%)
Varus - 20.0% win rate in this matchup
Varus
20.0% WR
VS
Katarina vs Varus matchup - 80.0% win rate
Katarina
80.0% WR

Who Wins the Varus vs Katarina Matchup?

Katarina wins the Varus vs Katarina matchup
Winner
Katarina
Matches: 5
20.0%
Win Rate
80.0%
7.2
CS / min
6.2
896
DMG / min
1,133
12,502
Gold / game
14,115
166
Heal / min
273
472
DMG Mitigated / min
779
0.8
CC / min
0.2
0.0%
Early Game WR
100.0%
50.0%
Late Game WR
50.0%

Varus vs Katarina Matchup Summary

The Varus vs Katarina matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 5 recent matches analyzed, Katarina wins with a 80.0% win rate compared to Varus's 20.0%, giving Katarina a 60.0 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Katarina controls the early laning stage, but Varus outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Katarina needs to press advantages before Varus reaches their power spikes, while Varus should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Varus leads by 0.7s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Katarina has a strong advantage in this matchup. Varus players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Katarina 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.

Varus vs Katarina Laning Phase Breakdown

Katarina wins the laning phase against Varus in League of Legends

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

Farming
7.2Varus
6.2Katarina
Varus significantly out-farms Katarina by 1.0 CS per minute, accumulating an estimated 16 CS lead by mid game. This substantial farming gap gives Varus a major gold advantage and earlier item completions. Katarina players should prioritize wave management techniques like freezing near tower and using abilities efficiently to minimize the deficit.
Damage
896Varus
1,133Katarina
Katarina heavily out-damages Varus by 237 DMG/min, dominating both short trades and all-in fights. Varus should avoid extended combat and instead focus on burst trade patterns — short engages followed by immediate disengagement — to avoid letting Katarina's sustained damage advantage take over.
Economy
12,502Varus
14,115Katarina
Katarina generates a commanding 1,613 more gold per game than Varus. This substantial economic advantage means Katarina consistently reaches key item breakpoints earlier, creating a compounding lead that grows throughout the game. Varus should focus on cost-effective item choices and avoid unnecessary deaths to prevent falling further behind.
Utility
0.8Varus
0.2Katarina
Varus provides 0.7 seconds more crowd control per minute than Katarina, offering better gank setup potential and slightly more team fight utility. This CC advantage helps Varus coordinate with their jungler and control the pace of skirmishes.
Sustain
637Varus
1,051Katarina
Katarina vastly out-sustains Varus, healing and mitigating 414 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Katarina can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Varus is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Varus, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Best Varus Build Against Katarina

Gunmetal Greaves is the optimal boots choice against Katarina, providing the mobility and stats Varus needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Varus against Katarina are Void Staff, Nashor's Tooth and Rabadon's Deathcap. This combination gives Varus 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 Varus vs Katarina matchup.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Katarina
100.0%
+100.0% advantage
Varus early game win rateVarus0.0%
Katarina early game win rateKatarina100.0%
Late Game
Varus
50.0%
+0.0% advantage
Varus late game win rateVarus50.0%
Katarina late game win rateKatarina50.0%

Katarina dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 100.0% win rate — a 100.0 percentage point lead over Varus. This lopsided early game means Katarina can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.

Late game (25+ minutes) is equally balanced, with Varus at 50.0% win rate — only 0.0 points ahead of Katarina. Team fight execution and macro play determine the winner at this stage, not champion matchup advantage.

The power dynamics shift as the game progresses — Katarina has the edge early, but Varus 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 Varus Runes Against Katarina

Precision rune tree - Varus primary runes vs KatarinaPrecision
Lethal Tempo - best Varus rune vs KatarinaAbsorb Life - best Varus rune vs KatarinaLegend: Alacrity - best Varus rune vs KatarinaCut Down - best Varus rune vs Katarina
Inspiration rune tree - Varus secondary runes vs KatarinaInspiration
Biscuit Delivery - best Varus rune vs KatarinaCosmic Insight - best Varus rune vs Katarina
50.0% WR

The Precision and Inspiration rune setup gives Varus the best tools to compete against Katarina in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.


Varus matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.7. The table below shows Varus'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 Varus build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Varus matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.7
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
50.00%2086.590213,92959.8%43.0%
54.23%1426.690713,39462.9%45.8%
49.65%1416.490813,98355.2%45.8%
50.38%1336.182712,98153.0%47.8%
37.60%1256.582313,30242.9%33.3%
44.19%866.588413,78948.6%41.2%
44.87%786.586713,79740.6%47.8%
49.33%756.586713,55358.1%43.2%
42.65%686.592914,11944.0%41.9%
40.68%596.783414,15540.9%40.5%
65.12%436.389313,76775.0%56.5%
43.59%396.280914,49336.4%46.4%
42.11%386.590313,58950.0%36.4%
54.05%376.095913,49455.6%52.6%
51.35%376.981612,26847.6%56.3%
43.75%326.691814,30154.5%38.1%
46.67%306.687911,82342.9%50.0%
57.14%286.892013,38153.3%61.5%
50.00%266.589615,06575.0%28.6%
65.38%266.81,02114,66970.0%62.5%
38.46%266.077913,23136.4%40.0%
50.00%246.377312,42836.4%61.5%
50.00%226.288610,77038.5%66.7%
36.36%227.01,04614,70120.0%50.0%
40.00%206.31,05815,04728.6%46.1%
50.00%206.785913,04563.6%33.3%
42.11%196.092912,44957.1%33.3%
33.33%186.51,03313,22133.3%33.3%
61.11%186.31,06616,88175.0%57.1%
62.50%166.374711,64866.7%57.1%
43.75%166.376011,13222.2%71.4%
62.50%166.594012,45171.4%55.6%
50.00%166.51,11813,82380.0%36.4%
46.67%156.71,18612,78833.3%55.6%
42.86%146.71,00815,17525.0%50.0%
42.86%146.687412,29233.3%60.0%
35.71%146.41,04811,44220.0%44.4%
21.43%146.38599,80411.1%40.0%
46.15%136.493310,43366.7%0.0%
50.00%125.91,01113,294100.0%33.3%
36.36%116.391714,90833.3%37.5%
27.27%116.575914,1990.0%33.3%
54.55%116.36969,86955.6%50.0%
80.00%106.61,09214,95750.0%87.5%
40.00%106.177711,56757.1%0.0%
30.00%107.299213,6120.0%75.0%
66.67%96.885212,19080.0%50.0%
44.44%97.11,12311,31250.0%33.3%
55.56%97.31,08712,01140.0%75.0%
44.44%96.786910,62560.0%25.0%
62.50%86.078112,78950.0%66.7%
25.00%86.095111,4000.0%50.0%
75.00%85.887815,03675.0%75.0%
62.50%86.692213,25960.0%66.7%
62.50%86.298312,87366.7%60.0%
50.00%86.71,27413,95325.0%75.0%
42.86%75.71,30915,583100.0%20.0%
57.14%75.982512,21266.7%50.0%
57.14%76.792810,88760.0%50.0%
42.86%77.395415,50350.0%40.0%
66.67%65.181712,552100.0%50.0%
66.67%67.06949,34460.0%100.0%
0.00%65.97858,4700.0%0.0%
50.00%66.476612,37166.7%33.3%
83.33%66.91,08114,624100.0%66.7%
50.00%67.297112,65525.0%100.0%
66.67%63.982812,14550.0%100.0%
60.00%56.682312,91450.0%100.0%
40.00%56.291713,851100.0%0.0%
60.00%57.197112,18550.0%100.0%
0.00%56.71,25416,3830.0%0.0%
60.00%56.598313,262100.0%33.3%
60.00%57.585011,87366.7%50.0%
20.00%57.289612,5020.0%50.0%
20.00%55.998512,74533.3%0.0%
80.00%56.91,37015,979100.0%66.7%
40.00%56.11,26718,2590.0%40.0%
60.00%56.667110,66450.0%100.0%
40.00%55.385715,4800.0%50.0%
80.00%56.093814,081100.0%50.0%
80.00%56.81,01617,84350.0%100.0%
60.00%55.977511,52175.0%0.0%

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Varus vs Katarina - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Varus do against Katarina in League of Legends?

Katarina wins the Varus vs Katarina matchup with a 80.0% win rate compared to Varus's 20.0%, a 60.0 percentage point difference. This data is based on 5 recent ranked games in patch 26.7.

How does Varus do against Katarina in the early game?

In the early game, Katarina has the advantage against Varus with a 100.0% win rate versus 0.0%. Katarina players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Varus do against Katarina in the late game?

In the late game, Varus takes over the Varus vs Katarina matchup with a 50.0% win rate compared to 50.0%. Varus scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Varus vs Katarina matchup?

Katarina wins the matchup against Varus with a 80.0% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.7. The 60.0 percentage point advantage means Katarina is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 5 games analyzed.

What is the best Varus build against Katarina?

The best Varus build against Katarina includes Void Staff, Nashor's Tooth, Rabadon's Deathcap with Gunmetal Greaves. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Varus runes against Katarina?

The best Varus runes against Katarina use the Precision primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 50.0% win rate in the Varus vs Katarina matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Varus counter Katarina?

No, Varus struggles against Katarina with only a 20.0% win rate. Katarina has the advantage in this matchup. Varus players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Katarina's lead.

How do I play Varus against Katarina?

When playing Varus against Katarina, play cautiously and avoid Katarina's power spikes. Focus on safe farming — you outscale Katarina in the late game. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.