Zyra vs Karthus

Zyra
vs
63.6%

over 33 games

Karthus

Favorable matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

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

Scorchclaw Pup

Core build

Liandry's Torment
1
Shadowflame
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Dark Seal
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dark Seal
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Rabadon's Deathcap
Banshee's Veil
Mejai's Soulstealer
Seeker's Armguard
Blackfire Torch
Oblivion Orb
Bloodletter's Curse
Morellonomicon
Void Staff
Cosmic Drive
62.5% WR8 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Sixth SenseSixth Sense
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Cut DownCut Down
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Ability HasteAdaptive 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 Zyra

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  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