Karthus vs Master Yi
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Master Yi's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every few consecutive basic attack, Master Yi strikes twice.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 10s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 19s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 9 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 11 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 18 | 18s | 10s | 14s | 1m25 |
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 Master Yi
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1