Karthus vs Ekko

Karthus
vs
52.5%

over 259 games

Ekko

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh burstDive threatHeavy CC

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

Scorchclaw Pup

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Liandry's Torment
5

Summoner spells

ExhaustSmite50%
FlashSmite44%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Zhonya's Hourglass
Malignance
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Dark Seal
Mejai's Soulstealer
Oblivion Orb
Seeker's Armguard
Morellonomicon
Horizon Focus
Cryptbloom
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Banshee's Veil
51.1% WR47 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
SorcerySorcery
Axiom ArcanistAxiom Arcanist
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Ekko's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Z-Drive Resonance (P)

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

LevelQWER
39s22s9s–
68s22s9s1m50
97s20s9s1m50
117s18s9s1m20
167s14s8s50s
187s14s7s50s

Playing as Karthus

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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).

  4. 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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1