Karthus vs Ekko
Skill matchup
Build vs Ekko
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Karthus: Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Liandry's Torment, Zhonya's Hourglass, Malignance, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ekko's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every third attack or damaging spell on the same target deals bonus magic damage, and grants Ekko a burst of speed if the target is a champion.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 22s | 9s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 22s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 7s | 20s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 7s | 18s | 9s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 8s | 50s |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 7s | 50s |
Playing as Karthus
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim for isolated champions
Aim Lay Waste (Q) at a champion away from their minions: if the blast hits only one enemy, it deals much more damage.
- Wall before your combo
Place Wall of Pain (W) in their path before your combo: anyone who crosses it is slowed and loses magic resist.
- Keep playing after you die
After you die, keep casting your spells: Death Defied (passive) keeps you in spirit form for a while, and you can still cast Lay Waste (Q) and Requiem (R).
- Requiem for the finish
Save Requiem (R) to finish off wounded enemies, often right after a teamfight: it hits every enemy champion wherever they are, after a 3-second channel.
Playing against Ekko
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Avoid his third hit
Take short trades: his third hit on you, auto or spell, triggers Z-Drive Resonance (passive), with bonus damage and a burst of speed.
- Leave his Q field
When Timewinder (Q) expands on you, leave the field: it slows you, and the device hits you again on its way back to him.
- Get out of his sphere
Leave the Parallel Convergence (W) sphere as soon as it appears: if he steps into it, it stuns every enemy inside.
- Aim where he'll reappear
When he's low, don't chase him blindly: Chronobreak (R) brings him back to where he was 4 seconds earlier and damages nearby enemies. Ready your spells on that spot.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1