Karthus vs Nilah
Build vs Nilah
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
Nilah's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Nilah gains increased experience from last-hitting minions along with the ability to enhance and share nearby healing and shielding from her allies.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4s | 26s | 0.5s | – |
| 6 | 4s | 26s | 0.5s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 4s | 25s | 0.5s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 4s | 24s | 0.5s | 1m35 |
| 16 | 4s | 22s | 0.5s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 4s | 22s | 0.5s | 1m20 |
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 Nilah
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- No autos during her Veil
During Jubilant Veil (W), don't attack: she dodges all autos, and so do the allies she touches. Wait for the mist to fade.
- Poke her from outside her range
If you're ranged, poke her outside Formless Blade (Q) range: she fights in melee and only gains range after hitting with this spell.
- Watch her level
Watch her level in lane: Joy Unending (passive) gives her more XP from minions, so she can have Apotheosis (R) before you hit level 6.
- Leave the circle of her Apotheosis
Move away as soon as she casts Apotheosis (R): she strikes around her for 1 second, then the final strike pulls nearby enemies toward her.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1