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Karthus Counters

Karthus

Karthus, the Deathsinger

Who beats Karthus in League of Legends, which picks to avoid and how to play the lane. Every matchup comes with the reason it works.

  • Jungle
  • Mage
  • Ranged · 450 range
  • 335 move speed
  • Patch 16.21

Best picks against Karthus

These champions have the tools to beat Karthus.

  1. Lee Sin
    Lee Sin

    Lee Sin invades Karthus's camps and duels him at any buff, since Karthus has no dash.

  2. Master Yi
    Master Yi

    Alpha Strike dodges Lay Waste and closes the gap, and Karthus has nothing to stop Yi once he arrives.

  3. Graves
    Graves

    Graves invades Karthus's jungle and kills him in close-range duels.

  4. Hecarim
    Hecarim

    Hecarim charges onto Karthus from far away and kills him before he can kite.

Worst picks against Karthus

Karthus usually wins these matchups.

  1. Amumu
    Amumu

    Karthus clears faster and kites Amumu's slow engage with Wall of Pain.

  2. Sejuani
    Sejuani

    Karthus's magic damage and percent health ultimate shred tanky Sejuani from a distance.

  3. Zac
    Zac

    Wall of Pain cuts Zac's magic resist, and Karthus kites him with the slow.

  4. Rammus
    Rammus

    Karthus's magic damage ignores Rammus's armor, and Wall of Pain slows his rolls.

How to counter Karthus

  1. Invade him early: he has no dash and loses every duel at a buff.

  2. Stay out of Wall of Pain; it slows you and lowers your magic resist.

  3. Kill him first in teamfights, then step away from his body while his passive keeps him casting.

  4. Buy a Zhonya's Hourglass or a spell shield against Requiem when you are low.

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Got a question?
We have Answers!

Lee Sin, Master Yi, Graves and Hecarim are strong picks against Karthus. Lee Sin invades Karthus's camps and duels him at any buff, since Karthus has no dash.
Karthus usually has the advantage against Amumu, Sejuani, Zac and Rammus, so avoid those picks when Karthus is likely in the jungle.
Invade him early: he has no dash and loses every duel at a buff. Stay out of Wall of Pain; it slows you and lowers your magic resist.
Karthus has clear weaknesses that the right pick and good timing can exploit. Even without a counter pick, following the tips on this page will make the lane much easier.

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