Zeri vs Karthus
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Karthus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zeri: Yun Tal Wildarrows, Runaan's Hurricane, Infinity Edge, Gluttonous Greaves, Lord Dominik's Regards, Stormrazor, Bloodthirster, Mercurial Scimitar.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
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 Zeri
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim every Burst Fire
Aim each Burst Fire (Q): it's your main attack, reaching 700 range and hitting the first enemy in its line.
- Fire your laser at a wall
Aim Ultrashock Laser (W) at a wall: the pulse becomes an area laser that slows and critically strikes champions.
- Vault over walls
Aim Spark Surge (E) at a wall: you vault over it, much farther than with the dash alone, and your Burst Fire pierces for a few seconds afterward.
- Hit a champion, then back off
Cast Lightning Crash (R) near a champion: hitting them gives you attack speed and move speed, and each hit on a champion extends the effect. Attack while backing off.
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 Zeri matchups
Patch 16.21.1