Karthus vs Tristana

Karthus
vs
Not enough games
Tristana
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh burstSplit push

Build vs Tristana

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

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Void Staff
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Void Staff
Zhonya's Hourglass
Stormsurge
Malignance
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Axiom ArcanistAxiom Arcanist
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Tristana's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Draw a Bead (P)

Increases Tristana's Attack Range as she levels.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
320s22s16s–
618s22s16s1m40
916s20s16s1m40
1116s18s16s1m40
1616s14s15s1m40
1816s14s14s1m40

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 Tristana

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Step away from your minions

    Don't stay glued to your minions: when her autos kill them, Explosive Charge (E) damages nearby enemies, and her bomb also explodes in an area.

  2. Back off when her bomb is on you

    Back off as soon as Explosive Charge (E) is stuck on you: each of her hits makes it stronger, and a bomb that explodes at max stacks resets Rocket Jump (W).

  3. Respect her Rapid Fire

    When she activates Rapid Fire (Q) in a fight, back off until the bonus ends, or stun her if you can: her attack speed spikes for the spell's duration.

  4. Spread out when her bomb is on you

    In teamfights, when Explosive Charge (E) is on you, spread out from your allies: when it explodes, the bomb also damages anyone near you.

Patch 16.21.1