Karma vs Vel'Koz

Karma
vs
48.4%

over 996 games

Vel'Koz

Skill matchup

Heavy pokeHeavy AP damageHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Vel'Koz

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Karma: Echoes of Helia, Moonstone Renewer, Redemption, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Dream Maker, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Malignance, Shurelya's Battlesong.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Echoes of Helia
1
Moonstone Renewer
2
Redemption
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dream Maker
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal81%
ExhaustFlash12%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dream Maker
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Malignance
Shurelya's Battlesong
Mikael's Blessing
Ardent Censer
Oblivion Orb
Dawncore
Celestial Opposition
Morellonomicon
Staff of Flowing Water
Dark Seal
Solstice Sleigh
Imperial Mandate
Locket of the Iron Solari
Knight's Vow
Diadem of Songs
Luden's Echo
Tear of the Goddess
Shadowflame
Stormsurge
Mejai's Soulstealer
Horizon Focus
Cosmic Drive
Seeker's Armguard
Banshee's Veil
Rabadon's Deathcap
Zhonya's Hourglass
55.7% WR70 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
RevitalizeRevitalize
Font of LifeFont of Life
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Vel'Koz's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Organic Deconstruction (P)

Vel'Koz's abilities apply Organic Deconstruction to enemies on hit. If 3 stacks are accumulated, the enemy will take a burst of true damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s1.5s12s–
67s1.5s12s1m40
97s1.5s12s1m40
117s1.5s12s1m30
167s1.5s11s1m20
187s1.5s10s1m20

Playing as Karma

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Deal damage to refresh Mantra

    Hit the enemy with your spells: Gathering Fire (passive) lowers the cooldown of Mantra (R) with each damaging ability.

  2. Mantra then Q to poke

    To poke, cast Mantra (R) then Inner Flame (Q) at a group: the explosion leaves a ring of fire that slows and deals more damage.

  3. Mantra then W at low health

    At low health, cast Mantra (R) then Focused Resolve (W): you restore part of your missing health at the start and end of the tether, and the root lasts longer.

  4. Mantra then E for the whole team

    In teamfights, cast Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) on an ally surrounded by the others: everyone gets a shield and move speed, to engage or to escape.

Playing against Vel'Koz

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Watch both branches of his plasma

    Get out of the line of Plasma Fission (Q) and watch its sides too: the bolt splits into two branches at 90 degrees when it hits a target or he recasts it.

  2. Back off before the third stack

    Back off after taking two of his spells: at the third Organic Deconstruction (passive) stack, you take a burst of true damage.

  3. Engage after Tectonic Disruption

    If you can engage, go in after Tectonic Disruption (E): it's his only spell to push back someone charging him, and he has no dash to escape.

  4. Interrupt his ray

    If you have a stun, a silence or a knock-up, save it for Life Form Disintegration Ray (R): any of them interrupts the ray.

Patch 16.21.1