Karthus vs Lux
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
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Lux's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 12s | 10s | – |
| 6 | 10s | 12s | 10s | 1m |
| 9 | 10s | 11.5s | 10s | 1m |
| 11 | 10s | 11s | 10s | 50s |
| 16 | 10s | 10s | 9s | 40s |
| 18 | 10s | 10s | 8s | 40s |
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 Lux
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1