Jinx vs Karthus

Jinx
vs
49.0%

over 343 games

Karthus

Skill matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

Build vs Karthus

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Jinx: Hexoptics C44, Runaan's Hurricane, Infinity Edge, Berserker's Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, B. F. Sword, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Phantom Dancer.

Starting items

Doran's Bow
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Hexoptics C44
1
Runaan's Hurricane
2
Infinity Edge
3

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Lord Dominik's Regards
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier84%
FlashHaste7%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Lord Dominik's Regards
B. F. Sword
Yun Tal Wildarrows
Phantom Dancer
Bloodthirster
Guardian Angel
Kraken Slayer
Mortal Reminder
Maw of Malmortius
Quicksilver Sash
Mercurial Scimitar
Immortal Shieldbow
Executioner's Calling
Rapid Firecannon
Stormrazor
Kaenic Rookern
The Collector
Serrated Dirk
Blade of The Ruined King
Edge of Night
46.6% WR133 games
PrecisionPrecision
Lethal TempoLethal Tempo
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Cut DownCut Down
InspirationInspiration
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cash BackCash Back
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

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 Jinx

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Poke with rockets, trade with minigun

    Poke with Fishbones, the rocket launcher of Switcheroo! (Q), for its range and splash damage, then swap back to the minigun for long trades.

  2. Kite whoever charges you

    Fire Zap! (W) to kite the bruiser running at you or catch an enemy who's fleeing: it slows and reveals the first enemy hit.

  3. Put your traps in their path

    Throw Flame Chompers! (E) in the path of their engage or their escape: they root the champion who steps on them and last 5 seconds.

  4. Focus the lowest-health target

    In teamfights, focus the lowest-health target first: each takedown triggers Get Excited! (passive), a big boost to attack speed and move speed.

  5. Save your rocket to finish

    Fire Super Mega Death Rocket! (R) to finish a fleeing enemy rather than to start a fight: its damage grows with their missing health and over its first second of flight.

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