Champion image

Karthus the Deathsinger

The harbinger of oblivion, Karthus is an undying spirit whose haunting songs are a prelude to the horror of his nightmarish appearance. The living fear the eternity of undeath, but Karthus sees only beauty and purity in its embrace, a perfect union of life and death. When Karthus emerges from the Shadow Isles, it is to bring the joy of death to mortals, an apostle of the unliving.

  • [object Object] P spell

    Death Defied

    Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.

  • [object Object] Q spell

    Lay Waste

    Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.

    Cost:
    • 20/
    • 25/
    • 30/
    • 35/
    • 40
    Cooldown:
    • 0
    Range:
    • 875
  • [object Object] W spell

    Wall of Pain

    Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.

    Cost:
    • 70
    Cooldown:
    • 15
    Range:
    • 1000
  • [object Object] E spell

    Defile

    Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.

    Cost:
    • 30/
    • 42/
    • 54/
    • 66/
    • 78
    Cooldown:
    • 1
    Range:
    • 550
  • [object Object] R spell

    Requiem

    After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.

    Cost:
    • 100
    Cooldown:
    • 200/
    • 180/
    • 160
    Range:
    • 10000
Classes:
  • Mage
53.30%Win Rate
[object Object] champion tier

Champion Base Stats

  • Champion Health Icon Ability Power:0
  • Champion Health Icon Attack Damage:46(3.25 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Attack Speed:0(2.11 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Crit Chance:0%
  • Champion Health Icon Mana:467(31 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Mana Regen:8(0.8 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Health:620(110 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Health Regen:6(0.55 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Armor:21(4.7 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Magic Resist:30(1.3 per level)
  • Champion Health Icon Movement Speed:335
  • Champion Health Icon Attack Range:450(450 per level)
Compare Against Other Champions

Champion Performance Ranking

  • Damage to Champions
  • Early Game Strength
  • Late Game Strength
  • Objective Control
  • Supportive Strength
  • Creep Farming
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MetaBot Tips

  • Karthus has less crowd control than most champions. This can make locking down kills or ganking for other players more difficult.
  • Karthus secures less objectives than most champions. Your value may be better oriented towards helping other champions secure objectives.
  • Karthus tends to have a lower vision score than other champions. Make sure you are working to place wards and clear enemy wards.
  • Karthus has a low base movespeed compared to many other champions. Play back towards your tower in lane, and consider early game boots when fighting skillshot-based laners.
  • Karthus has more base armor than most champions, which makes them excellent in the early game against attack damage type enemies.
  • Karthus has more base attack damage than most champions, so they should be trading autos aggressively in lane.

Best Rune Build

Primary Tree

DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Hail of BladesHail of Blades
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Taste of BloodTaste of Blood
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Sixth SenseSixth Sense
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Deep WardDeep Ward
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
Relentless HunterRelentless Hunter
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter

Secondary Tree

PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
Lethal TempoLethal Tempo
Fleet FootworkFleet Footwork
ConquerorConqueror
Absorb LifeAbsorb Life
TriumphTriumph
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Cut DownCut Down
Last StandLast Stand

Gameplay Tips

Playing Karthus

  • Ask your allies to help point out when you should use Requiem to get kills in different lanes.
  • Lay Waste is very strong at farming minions and harassing enemy champions.

Playing Against Karthus

  • Karthus can cast spells for a short duration after he is killed. Move away from his corpse to be safe.
  • Make sure you always have enough health to survive Requiem, even if you have to go back to the base more frequently to heal.

Best Against

Counter Picks