Caitlyn vs Karthus
Hard matchup
Build vs Karthus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Caitlyn: Hexoptics C44, Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik's Regards, Berserker's Greaves, Rapid Firecannon, The Collector, Bloodthirster, B. F. Sword.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Karthus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m |
| 16 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 2m40 |
| 18 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 2m40 |
Playing as Caitlyn
Tips to maximize your impact
- Put your traps in their path
Place Yordle Snap Trap (W) in brushes and in their path: a champion who steps on one is rooted, and revealed to you for 3 seconds.
- Net and trap for your headshots
Chain 90 Caliber Net (E) and Yordle Snap Trap (W) under the slowed target: each champion netted or trapped grants you a double-range Headshot (passive).
- Fire your Q at a trapped target
Fire Piltover Peacemaker (Q) at a champion caught in your trap: they take full damage, even if the shot passed through a minion first.
- Save your R to finish
Save Ace in the Hole (R) to finish a low-health target that's fleeing: another enemy champion can block the shot, so fire when no one is covering them.
Playing against Karthus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay near your minions
Stay near your minions or your allies: Lay Waste (Q) deals much more damage when the blast hits only one enemy.
- Jump on him if you can
If you can engage, jump on him: Karthus has no dash or leap to escape.
- Don't stay low once he hits 6
Once he hits level 6, back instead of staying at low health: Requiem (R) hits every enemy champion wherever they are, 3 seconds after he starts channeling.
- Save your protection for Requiem
If you have a shield, a heal or invulnerability, save it for Requiem (R): it hits every enemy champion 3 seconds after he starts channeling.
- Move away after he dies
Once Karthus is dead, move away: Death Defied (passive) keeps him in spirit form for a while, and he can still cast his spells.
Other Caitlyn matchups
Patch 16.21.1