Lucian vs Karthus

Lucian
vs
45.2%

over 186 games

Karthus

Skill matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

Build vs Karthus

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Lucian: Essence Reaver, Navori Flickerblade, Infinity Edge, Gluttonous Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, B. F. Sword, The Collector, Bloodthirster.

Starting items

Doran's Bow
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Essence Reaver
1
Navori Flickerblade
2
Infinity Edge
3

Standard

Gluttonous Greaves
4
Lord Dominik's Regards
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier75%
ExhaustFlash18%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Lord Dominik's Regards
B. F. Sword
The Collector
Bloodthirster
Guardian Angel
Maw of Malmortius
Black Cleaver
Immortal Shieldbow
Mortal Reminder
Rapid Firecannon
Executioner's Calling
Kraken Slayer
Mercurial Scimitar
51.4% WR74 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: BloodlineLegend: Bloodline
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
InspirationInspiration
Magical FootwearMagical Footwear
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Attack SpeedAdaptive 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 Lucian

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Weave an auto between spells

    Weave an auto between each spell: Lightslinger (passive) turns it into a double shot, and each shot that hits lowers the cooldown of Relentless Pursuit (E).

  2. Attack after your support helps

    Attack right after an ally's heal or shield, or a nearby enemy getting immobilized: Lightslinger (passive) then empowers your next 2 autos.

  3. R on an immobilized target

    Cast The Culling (R) on a target your team has immobilized: each shot hits the first enemy in its path, and you can use Relentless Pursuit (E) while firing.

  4. Get ahead early

    Look for trades and kills early on: Lucian is strongest early, and his impact drops once the other marksmen have their items.

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