Karthus vs Gragas
Hard matchup
Build vs Gragas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Karthus: Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Liandry's Torment, Malignance, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gragas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gragas periodically heals upon using a skill.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 5s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 6s | 5s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 5s | 12s | 1m10 |
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 Gragas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Stay behind your minions: Body Slam (E) stops on the first enemy it meets, minions included.
- Get out of the barrel zone fast
Get out of the Barrel Roll (Q) area right away: the longer the barrel sits on the ground, the more its explosion hurts and slows.
- Step up after a missed E
Step up when Body Slam (E) hits nobody: its cooldown isn't reduced and stays at 14 to 12 seconds.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies: Explosive Cask (R) knocks every enemy away from the impact, which can split you up or send you toward his team.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1