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Karthus vs Mel

Karthus
vs
Not enough games
Mel
Analyze a draft with Karthus
Heavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy pokeHeavy CC

Build vs Mel

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

Mel's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Searing Brilliance (P)

Whenever Mel uses an ability, she gains three bonus projectiles (up to nine maximum) on her next attack.When Mel deals damage through an ability or attack, she applies Overwhelm, which can stack infinitely. If the enemy is hit by Mel with enough Overwhelm damage, the stacks are consumed to execute the target.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s38s11s–
68s38s11s2m
96s35s11s2m
116s33s11s1m40
166s26s10s1m20
186s26s9s1m20

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 Mel

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge her snare's orb

    Dodge the orb of Solar Snare (E): a direct hit roots you, and its aura slows and damages around it.

  2. Don't shoot into her barrier

    If you have projectiles, don't fire them into Rebuttal (W): the barrier reflects champion projectiles back at their caster.

  3. Let her marks expire

    At low health, back off for a few seconds to let Overwhelm expire: with enough stacks, Searing Brilliance (passive) executes you on her next hit.

  4. Jump on her if you can

    If you can engage, jump on her: Mel has no dash or leap, only the move speed Rebuttal (W) gives her.

Other Karthus matchups

Patch 16.21.1