Tahm Kench vs Karma
Build vs Karma
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Tahm Kench: Heartsteel, Dusk and Dawn, Thornmail, Mercury's Treads, Hollow Radiance, Spirit Visage, Dark Seal, Bramble Vest.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Karma's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 12s | 10s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 12s | 10s | 40s |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 10s | 40s |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 10s | 38s |
| 16 | 5s | 12s | 9s | 36s |
| 18 | 5s | 12s | 8s | 36s |
Playing as Tahm Kench
Tips to maximize your impact
- Three stacks, then your tongue
Stack An Acquired Taste (passive) three times on your target, then hit them with Tongue Lash (Q): they're stunned, and the stacks are consumed.
- Save Thick Skin for a burst
Only activate Thick Skin (E) to absorb a burst: otherwise, part of the damage it stores comes back to you as health once you stop taking damage.
- Engage with your dive
Engage with Abyssal Dive (W): you reappear at the target location, 1000 to 1200 range away, and hitting a champion reduces its cooldown.
- Swallow your carry to save them
Swallow your carry in danger with Devour (R): they come out with a shield, and you can take them to safety with Abyssal Dive (W).
Playing against Karma
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Respect her level 1
Play carefully at the very start of lane: Mantra (R) is available from level 1, so Karma already has an empowered spell.
- Break her tether
Move away as soon as Focused Resolve (W) tethers you: if the tether holds to the end, you take damage again and get rooted.
- Leave the ring of fire
Quickly leave the ring of fire left by Inner Flame (Q) empowered by Mantra (R): it slows and deals extra damage.
- Focus her in teamfights
If you can reach her, focus her in teamfights: Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) gives a shield and move speed to every ally grouped around her target.
Other Tahm Kench matchups
Patch 16.21.1