Viktor vs Karthus

Viktor
vs
Not enough games
Karthus
High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

Build vs Karthus

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

Recommended items for Viktor: Blackfire Torch, Lich Bane, Zhonya's Hourglass, Boots of Swiftness, Shadowflame, Hextech Rocketbelt, Luden's Echo, Rabadon's Deathcap.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Lich Bane
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Shadowflame
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport43%
FlashHaste29%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Shadowflame
Hextech Rocketbelt
Luden's Echo
Rabadon's Deathcap
Void Staff
Cosmic Drive
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
Shield BashShield Bash
Bone PlatingBone Plating
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 Viktor

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Poke with your ray

    Poke with Hextech Ray (E), fired in the direction you choose: it hits every enemy in its line, and its upgrade adds an aftershock in its wake.

  2. Siphon Power, then an auto

    After Siphon Power (Q), land an auto within 4 seconds: it deals bonus magic damage, and the spell's shield covers you during the trade.

  3. Gravity Field, then your ray

    Place Gravity Field (W) in your target's path, then fire Hextech Ray (E): the field slows them, and if they stay in it for 1.25 seconds, they're stunned.

  4. Choose your upgrades well

    Glorious Evolution (passive) upgrades a spell every 100 Hex Fragments: Hextech Ray (E) to poke and clear, Siphon Power (Q) to survive, Gravity Field (W) to slow.

  5. Drop your storm on their group

    Place Arcane Storm (R) on grouped enemies: it follows the champions it just damaged on its own, and you can recast it to move it.

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