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Hecarim vs Karthus

Hecarim
vs
54.9%

over 304 games

Karthus
Analyze a draft with Hecarim

Skill matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.

Build vs Karthus

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Hecarim: Spear of Shojin, Death's Dance, Endless Hunger, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Hubris, Maw of Malmortius, Black Cleaver, Axiom Arc.

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling

Core build

Spear of Shojin
1
Death's Dance
2
Endless Hunger
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Hubris
5

Summoner spells

HasteSmite99%
FlashSmite1%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Hubris
Maw of Malmortius
Black Cleaver
Axiom Arc
Serylda's Grudge
Voltaic Cyclosword
Serpent's Fang
Lord Dominik's Regards
Spirit Visage
Randuin's Omen
Guardian Angel
Eclipse
Force of Nature
Mortal Reminder
Chempunk Chainsword
Sterak's Gage
Serrated Dirk
B. F. Sword
Zeke's Convergence
Executioner's Calling
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Dead Man's Plate
58.3% WR24 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Nimbus CloakNimbus Cloak
CelerityCelerity
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
PrecisionPrecision
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
TriumphTriumph
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 Hecarim

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Charge from far away

    Cast Devastating Charge (E) far from your target: the longer the run, the farther the knockback and the harder the hit, and Warpath (passive) turns your bonus move speed into AD.

  2. Engage from range with your R

    Cast Onslaught of Shadows (R) from range: the fear from the shockwave, at the end of the dash, lasts longer after a long run.

  3. Recast Rampage without waiting

    In teamfights, recast Rampage (Q) as soon as it's back: each cast that hits adds a stack, which lowers its cooldown and raises its damage.

  4. Activate your W in the thick of it

    Activate Spirit of Dread (W) in the middle of the enemies: you gain armor and magic resist, and heal for part of the damage you and your team deal to them.

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.

Other Hecarim matchups

Patch 16.21.1