Karthus vs Nilah

Karthus
vs
Not enough games
Nilah
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh sustainHigh burst

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

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

Nilah's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Joy Unending (P)

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

LevelQWER
34s26s0.5s–
64s26s0.5s1m50
94s25s0.5s1m50
114s24s0.5s1m35
164s22s0.5s1m20
184s22s0.5s1m20

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 Nilah

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1