Karthus vs Zeri
Build vs Zeri
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
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Zeri's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Zeri's Attacks deal magic damage and are treated as Abilities. Moving and casting Burst Fire stores up energy in Zeri's Sparkpack. When fully charged her next Attack deals bonus damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 12s | 24s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 12s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 11s | 24s | 1m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 10s | 24s | 1m15 |
| 16 | 0s | 8s | 21s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 0s | 8s | 18s | 1m10 |
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 Zeri
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Keep minions between you and her: Burst Fire (Q) stops on the first enemy hit, except during Spark Surge (E), when it pierces through them.
- Stay away from walls
Don't fight near a wall against her: if Ultrashock Laser (W) hits it, it becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes.
- Engage right after her dash
If you can engage, go in right after Spark Surge (E): it's her only dash, and each of her hits lowers its cooldown, so don't wait.
- Break contact during her ult
During Lightning Crash (R), back off out of her range: each hit she lands on a champion extends the effect and makes her faster.
Other Karthus matchups
Patch 16.21.1