Karthus vs Lee Sin

Karthus
vs
47.5%

over 1756 games

Lee Sin

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageStrong engageDive threatHigh burst

Build vs Lee Sin

Build adapted to this matchup

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

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

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

Summoner spells

ExhaustSmite57%
FlashSmite37%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Zhonya's Hourglass
Void Staff
Malignance
Dark Seal
Stormsurge
Oblivion Orb
Mejai's Soulstealer
Seeker's Armguard
Morellonomicon
Cryptbloom
Horizon Focus
Banshee's Veil
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Bloodletter's Curse
Luden's Echo
49.8% WR241 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

Lee Sin's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Flurry (P)

After Lee Sin uses an ability, his next 2 basic attacks gain Attack Speed and return Energy.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s8s8s–
68s8s8s1m50
96s8s8s1m50
116s8s8s1m25
166s8s8s1m
186s8s8s1m

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 Lee Sin

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Step up when he misses Q

    Step up when Sonic Wave (Q) misses you: without it, he has no dash to reach you, and it has a 10 to 6 second cooldown.

  2. Spread out from your allies

    In teamfights, spread out from your allies when facing him: the champion he kicks with Dragon's Rage (R) damages every enemy they collide with and knocks them into the air.

  3. Watch your early jungle

    Ward your jungle entrance early on: Lee Sin often looks to invade early to get ahead.

  4. Drag the game out

    If you survive his first minutes, play for time: Lee Sin is strongest early and loses impact once everyone has their items.

Patch 16.21.1