Vel'Koz vs Karma

Vel'Koz
vs
Not enough games
Karma
Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHeavy CCHeavy shielding

Build vs Karma

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Vel'Koz: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Blackfire Torch, Rabadon's Deathcap, Liandry's Torment, Banshee's Veil.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1
Shadowflame
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Blackfire Torch
5

Summoner spells

FlashBarrier47%
FlashTeleport41%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Blackfire Torch
Rabadon's Deathcap
Liandry's Torment
Banshee's Veil
Horizon Focus
Stormsurge
Void Staff
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Cut DownCut Down
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karma's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Gathering Fire (P)

Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s12s10s–
67s12s10s40s
95s12s10s40s
115s12s10s38s
165s12s9s36s
185s12s8s36s

Playing as Vel'Koz

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Three spells for the burst

    Hit the same target with three spells: at three stacks, Organic Deconstruction (passive) bursts and deals true damage to them.

  2. Poke and farm with your rift

    Stay back and poke with Void Rift (W): its two charges let you kill minions while stacking your passive on your opponent.

  3. Split your plasma to hit at an angle

    Recast Plasma Fission (Q) to split it: the two bolts fly off at 90 degrees, which lets you hit a target hiding behind their minions.

  4. Start your ray after a knock-up

    Cast Life Form Disintegration Ray (R) after the Tectonic Disruption (E) knock-up: your target can't escape, and the ray deals true damage to targets of Organic Deconstruction (passive).

Playing against Karma

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Patch 16.21.1