Karthus vs Lux

Karthus
vs
Not enough games
Lux
Heavy AP damageCountered by spell shieldHigh burstHeavy poke

Build vs Lux

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

Lux's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Illumination (P)

Lux's damaging spells charge the target with energy for a few seconds. Lux's next attack ignites the energy, dealing bonus magic damage (depending on Lux's level) to the target.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s12s10s–
610s12s10s1m
910s11.5s10s1m
1110s11s10s50s
1610s10s9s40s
1810s10s8s40s

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 Lux

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Keep two minions between you and her

    Stay behind at least two minions: Light Binding (Q) roots the first two enemies hit, so a single minion doesn't protect you.

  2. Step up when she misses Q

    Step up when Light Binding (Q) misses you: it's her only root, with a 10-second cooldown, and she has no dash to escape.

  3. Get out of her singularity fast

    Step out to the side as soon as Lucent Singularity (E) lands: the zone slows you, then explodes when it expires or when Lux detonates it.

  4. Don't run in a straight line

    At low health, change direction as you back off: Final Spark (R) is a straight beam that reaches very far and fires after a charge-up.

Patch 16.21.1