Viktor vs Katarina
Hard matchup
Build vs Katarina
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Viktor: Blackfire Torch, Lich Bane, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Shadowflame, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Hextech Rocketbelt.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Katarina's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Whenever an enemy champion dies that Katarina has damaged recently, her remaining ability cooldowns are dramatically reduced.If Katarina picks up a Dagger, she uses it to slash through all nearby enemies, dealing magic damage.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 15s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 15s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 9 | 7s | 14s | 12s | 1m15 |
| 11 | 7s | 13s | 12s | 1m |
| 16 | 7s | 11s | 10s | 45s |
| 18 | 7s | 11s | 8s | 45s |
Playing as Viktor
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Katarina
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay away from her daggers
Stay away from her daggers on the ground: when she picks one up, Voracity (passive) hits every nearby enemy, and Shunpo (E) lets her blink to it.
- Trade after her Shunpo
Trade right after Shunpo (E): it's her only blink, and it has a 12 to 8 second cooldown, less if she picks up a dagger.
- Save your CC for her Lotus
If you have CC, save it for Death Lotus (R): it's a channel, and interrupting it stops its damage.
- Don't count on your healing
Don't count on your healing during Death Lotus (R): each knife applies Grievous Wounds, which reduces healing received.
Other Viktor matchups
Patch 16.21.1