Karthus vs Qiyana
Skill matchup
Build vs Qiyana
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, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Qiyana's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Qiyana's first basic attack or ability against each enemy deals bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 7s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 7s | 11s | 2m |
| 9 | 7s | 7s | 11s | 2m |
| 11 | 7s | 7s | 11s | 2m |
| 16 | 7s | 7s | 9s | 2m |
| 18 | 7s | 7s | 7s | 2m |
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 Qiyana
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Check her weapon's element
Before a trade, check her weapon's element: with Ice, Elemental Wrath (Q) roots you, and with Wild, the brush element, its trail makes her invisible.
- Back off when she changes element
Back off when she casts Terrashape (W): the spell resets Elemental Wrath (Q), so she can hit you twice in a row.
- Stay away from walls and the river
Don't fight right next to a wall, the river or brush: Supreme Display of Talent (R) explodes along them and stuns enemies there.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1