Zyra vs Karthus
Favorable matchup
You are stronger early. Look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Karthus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zyra: Liandry's Torment, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Dark Seal, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Rabadon's Deathcap, Banshee's Veil.
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 Zyra
Tips to maximize your impact
- Grow the right plant
Cast your spells on Garden of Thorns (passive) seeds: Deadly Spines (Q) grows a Thorn Spitter that fires at 575 range, Grasping Roots (E) a Vine Lasher that slows.
- Seed the path of your spell
Cast Grasping Roots (E), then right away place a seed in its path with Rampant Growth (W): the target is rooted, and the plant that grows hits them.
- Enrage your plants
Cast Stranglethorns (R) on your plants in the middle of the fight: enemies are knocked into the air 2 seconds later, and your plants, renewed, gain health and damage.
- Seed the brushes
Place seeds with Rampant Growth (W) in brushes and near objectives: a champion who steps on one is revealed, and you can grow a plant there.
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 Zyra matchups
Patch 16.21.1