Katarina vs Aurora
Skill matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Aurora
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Katarina: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Kraken Slayer, Terminus.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Aurora's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Aurora's spells and attacks exorcise spirits from the enemies she damages. Exorcised spirits follow Aurora around and heal her.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 22s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 22s | 15s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 7s | 21s | 15s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 7s | 20s | 15s | 2m |
| 16 | 7s | 18s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 7s | 18s | 11s | 1m40 |
Playing as Katarina
Tips to maximize your impact
- Pick up your daggers
Pick up your daggers in trades and teamfights: Voracity (passive) then hits every nearby enemy, and each dagger picked up lowers the cooldown of Shunpo (E).
- Shunpo to your Q dagger
After Bouncing Blade (Q), blink to its dagger with Shunpo (E): it lands behind your target, and picking it up triggers Voracity (passive).
- Hit everyone before the kills
In teamfights, hit as many champions as you can before they go down: when one of them dies, Voracity (passive) sharply lowers all your cooldowns.
- Death Lotus after their CC
Cast Death Lotus (R) once the enemy CC is used: it's a channel, and a single CC is enough to cancel it.
Playing against Aurora
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade after her W
Take a trade once Across the Veil (W) is used: it's her spell to vanish, on a 22 to 18 second cooldown unless she takes part in a kill.
- Short trades
Take short trades: every spell or auto that hits you releases a spirit that heals her, through Spirit Abjuration (passive).
- Don't fight in her zone
Don't fight inside Between Worlds (R): she teleports from edge to edge, and crossing the edge slows you. Get out early, with a dash if you have one.
Other Katarina matchups
Patch 16.21.1