Nilah vs Karthus
Hard matchup
Build vs Karthus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Nilah: The Collector, Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik's Regards, Gluttonous Greaves, Immortal Shieldbow, Death's Dance, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Bloodthirster.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
72%
12%Anti CC
Other options
Precision
Conqueror
Triumph
Legend: Alacrity
Last Stand
Inspiration
Cash Back
Cosmic Insight
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 Nilah
Tips to maximize your impact
- Jubilant Veil against their trade
Cast Jubilant Veil (W) when the enemy ADC starts a trade: you dodge their autos, and each ally you touch gains the same effect.
- Last-hit minions yourself
Last-hit minions yourself: Joy Unending (passive) gives you more XP when you're the one who kills them.
- Extend your range before your autos
Hit an enemy, minions included, with Formless Blade (Q) before your autos: you gain range and attack speed, and your autos hit in a cone.
- Stick to your target with Slipstream
Use Slipstream (E) to reach your target: the dash goes through a unit, minions included, and damages enemies in its path.
- Apotheosis on a group
Cast Apotheosis (R) when your support has grouped enemies around you: the final strike pulls them toward you, and the spell heals you and nearby allies.
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 Nilah matchups
Nilah vs Xayah
Nilah vs BrandPatch 16.21.1