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Karthus vs Kayn

Karthus
vs
46.2%

over 1116 games

Kayn
Analyze a draft with Karthus

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstHigh sustainDive threat

Build vs Kayn

Build adapted to this matchup

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

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zhonya's Hourglass
5

Summoner spells

ExhaustSmite56%
FlashSmite37%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Liandry's Torment
Malignance
Void Staff
Dark Seal
Stormsurge
Mejai's Soulstealer
Oblivion Orb
Seeker's Armguard
Morellonomicon
Horizon Focus
Cryptbloom
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Banshee's Veil
Bloodletter's Curse
Luden's Echo
Actualizer
48.0% WR171 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

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s13s21s–
66s13s21s2m
95s12s21s2m
115s11s21s1m40
165s9s17s1m20
185s9s13s1m20

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 Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge his Blade's Reach

    Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.

  2. Save your CC for his E

    If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.

  3. Save your spells for his exit

    Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.

  4. Ward your jungle too

    Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.

  5. Pressure him before he transforms

    Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.

Other Karthus matchups

Patch 16.21.1