Karthus vs Master Yi

Karthus
vs
49.1%

over 795 games

Master Yi

Skill matchup

Sustained DPSHeavy AD damageSplit pushHigh burst

Build vs Master Yi

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, Dark Seal.

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

ExhaustSmite57%
FlashSmite37%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Zhonya's Hourglass
Liandry's Torment
Malignance
Dark Seal
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Mejai's Soulstealer
Oblivion Orb
Seeker's Armguard
Horizon Focus
Morellonomicon
Cryptbloom
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Luden's Echo
48.1% WR108 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

Master Yi's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Double Strike (P)

Every few consecutive basic attack, Master Yi strikes twice.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
320s10s14s–
619s10s14s1m25
918s10s14s1m25
1118s10s14s1m25
1618s10s14s1m25
1818s10s14s1m25

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 Master Yi

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't run alone from his R

    Against Highlander (R), don't run alone: regroup with your team, because he gains speed and ignores slows.

  2. CC him after his Alpha Strike

    If you have CC other than a slow, land it right after Alpha Strike (Q): during the strike, he's untargetable, and Highlander (R) ignores slows.

  3. Interrupt his Meditate

    If you have CC, interrupt Meditate (W): he channels it to heal, more at low health, and to reduce the damage he takes.

  4. Pressure his jungle early

    Put pressure on his jungle early on: Master Yi is strongest once he has his items, and each stolen camp delays him.

Patch 16.21.1