Kha'Zix vs Karthus
Hard matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Karthus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | – |
| 6 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m20 |
| 9 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m20 |
| 11 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 3m |
| 16 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 2m40 |
| 18 | 0s | 15s | 0.5s | 2m40 |
Playing as Kha'Zix
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- Jump on him if you can
If you can engage, jump on him: Karthus has no dash or leap to escape.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Kha'Zix matchups
Patch 16.21.1