Kha'Zix vs Karthus

Kha'Zix
vs
44.3%

over 413 games

Karthus

Hard matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

Build vs Karthus

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Kha'Zix: Umbral Glaive, Voltaic Cyclosword, Bastionbreaker, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Edge of Night, Serylda's Grudge, Hubris, Maw of Malmortius.

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Umbral Glaive
1
Voltaic Cyclosword
2
Bastionbreaker
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Edge of Night
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite95%
HasteSmite4%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Edge of Night
Serylda's Grudge
Hubris
Maw of Malmortius
Serrated Dirk
Serpent's Fang
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Guardian Angel
Lord Dominik's Regards
Endless Hunger
Death's Dance
B. F. Sword
Profane Hydra
Mortal Reminder
Axiom Arc
The Collector
Kaenic Rookern
51.4% WR74 games
InspirationInspiration
First StrikeFirst Strike
Cash BackCash Back
Triple TonicTriple Tonic
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
DominationDomination
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karthus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Death Defied (P)

Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
30s15s0.5s–
60s15s0.5s3m20
90s15s0.5s3m20
110s15s0.5s3m
160s15s0.5s2m40
180s15s0.5s2m40

Playing as Kha'Zix

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Pounce on isolated targets

    Jump on an isolated target with Leap (E), then Taste Their Fear (Q): with no ally nearby, Unseen Threat (passive) marks them and the spell hits much harder.

  2. Vanish to reposition

    In teamfights, cast Void Assault (R) to vanish and reposition: the invisibility triggers Unseen Threat (passive), and your next auto damages and slows.

  3. Heal with your spike

    Detonate Void Spike (W) close to you in the jungle or in teamfights: you heal if you're inside the explosion area.

  4. Pick your evolutions well

    Pick your evolutions to fit the game: evolved Leap (E) resets on each takedown, evolved Taste Their Fear (Q) gains range and a lower cooldown on isolated targets.

Playing against Karthus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay near your minions

    Stay near your minions or your allies: Lay Waste (Q) deals much more damage when the blast hits only one enemy.

  2. Jump on him if you can

    If you can engage, jump on him: Karthus has no dash or leap to escape.

  3. Don't stay low once he hits 6

    Once he hits level 6, back instead of staying at low health: Requiem (R) hits every enemy champion wherever they are, 3 seconds after he starts channeling.

  4. Save your protection for Requiem

    If you have a shield, a heal or invulnerability, save it for Requiem (R): it hits every enemy champion 3 seconds after he starts channeling.

  5. Move away after he dies

    Once Karthus is dead, move away: Death Defied (passive) keeps him in spirit form for a while, and he can still cast his spells.

Patch 16.21.1