Karthus

Overview

Karthus is a late game scaling mage who specializes in global pressure and sustained damage. His passive lets him keep dealing damage after death, and his ultimate can execute low health enemies anywhere on the map. Weak early but becomes a teamfight monster with items.

Strengths

• Global ultimate that can execute anywhere
• Massive AoE damage in teamfights
• Passive allows damage even after dying
• Scales extremely well into late game
• Strong objective pressure with R

Weaknesses

• No mobility whatsoever
• Very easy to kill if caught
• Weak early laning phase
• Ultimate can be countered by Zhonya's or cleanse
• Requires good map awareness to use R effectively

Early Game

Karthus early game is all about surviving and farming. Use Q to last hit and poke safely. Avoid extended trades and respect kill pressure from assassins. Your goal is to reach your core items as fast as possible without dying.

Mid Game

Mid game Karthus should look for teamfights and skirmishes where his AoE shines. Use R whenever multiple enemies are low across the map. Do not overextend alone, you are an easy target without peel. Stay with teammates.

Late Game

Late game is where Karthus truly takes over. In teamfights just walk into the enemy team and deal as much damage as possible. Even if you die your passive keeps going. Keep R ready for execute opportunities after every fight.

Tips & Tricks

• Always check enemy HP bars before using R, do not waste it.
• Position aggressively in teamfights, your passive rewards dying in the middle of enemies.
• Q does more damage at the center, try to land it precisely.
• Buy Zhonya's to survive burst and keep dealing damage.
• Track enemy Zhonya's and QSS cooldowns before using R.

For official ability details and lore, visit the official Karthus page and the Karthus Wiki.