Karthus vs Hwei

Karthus
vs
Not enough games
Hwei
Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHeavy CCHigh burst

Build vs Hwei

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Karthus: Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Void Staff, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge, Malignance.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Void Staff
5

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge
Malignance

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Hwei's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Signature of the Visionary (P)

Hwei primes enemy champions he damages with his abilities for his signature finishing touch.Hitting an enemy with a second damaging spell completes his signature, leaving it beneath them. The signature detonates after a short delay, dealing magic damage to all enemies in range.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s18s12s–
68s18s12s2m
96s17.5s12s2m
116s17s12s1m40
166s16s11s1m20
186s16s10s1m20

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 Hwei

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Trade after his damage spell

    Trade after he uses a damage spell: Devastating Fire (QQ), Severing Bolt (QW) and Molten Fissure (QE) share a 10 to 6 second cooldown.

  2. Don't stand still or alone

    Don't stand still or alone: Severing Bolt (QW) strikes after a delay and deals more damage to isolated or immobilized enemies.

  3. Jump on him if you can

    If you can engage, jump on him right after one of his CC spells: Hwei has no dash or leap, and Subject: Torment (E) has a 12 to 10 second cooldown.

  4. Move away from the ally hit by his R

    If an ally is hit by Spiraling Despair (R), move away from them: the vision expands around its target, slows and damages nearby enemies, then explodes.

Patch 16.21.1