Gragas vs Karthus

Gragas
vs
Not enough games
Karthus
High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

Build vs Karthus

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Gragas: Tear of the Goddess, Rod of Ages, Fimbulwinter, Sorcerer's Shoes, Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Cosmic Drive, Rabadon's Deathcap.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Tear of the Goddess
1
Rod of Ages
2
Fimbulwinter
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Lich Bane
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport88%
FlashDot12%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Lich Bane
Shadowflame
Cosmic Drive
Rabadon's Deathcap
Luden's Echo
Zhonya's Hourglass
Seraph's Embrace
Void Staff
Stormsurge
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karthus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Death Defied (P)

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

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
30s15s0.5s–
60s15s0.5s3m20
90s15s0.5s3m20
110s15s0.5s3m
160s15s0.5s2m40
180s15s0.5s2m40

Playing as Gragas

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Let your barrel charge

    Let Barrel Roll (Q) charge before detonating it: damage and slow grow the longer it sits on the ground, and if you don't recast it, it explodes on its own.

  2. Drink before you engage

    Drink Drunken Rage (W) before engaging: drinking takes 1 second, then you take less damage and your next auto hits every nearby enemy.

  3. Charge through a clear path

    Engage with Body Slam (E) through a path without minions: you stop on the first enemy you meet, and hitting reduces its cooldown.

  4. Send them toward your team

    After Body Slam (E), cast Explosive Cask (R) behind your target: the blast knocks enemies away from the impact, sending them toward your team.

Playing against Karthus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. Jump on him if you can

    If you can engage, jump on him: Karthus has no dash or leap to escape.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

Patch 16.21.1