Back in the old days of League, only a few champions had global-range abilities. Karthus, with his unique Ultimate ability, could deal massive damage to all enemy champions across the map. You would think that this would make Karthus a popular pick, but that’s not the case.
The reason why players struggle to find success with Karthus is due to his complexity. Despite his seemingly straightforward abilities, Karthus is actually a more complex champion than most people realize.
Interestingly, Karthus gained popularity when players started experimenting with AP Mages in the Jungle. Karthus excelled at clearing camps and making an impact on the game.
In this article, we will discuss the best Jungle path for Karthus, along with the core mechanics and strategies needed to play him like a high ELO master. We’ll also share some tips and tricks to take your Karthus gameplay to the next level.
Table of Content
1. Summoner Spells
2. The Best Karthus Runes
3. The Best Karthus Items
4. The Best Skill Order for Karthus
5. The Best Jungle Paths for Karthus
6. Red Side, Red Clear
7. Red Side, Blue Clear
8. Blue Side, Red Clear
9. Blue Side, Blue Clear
10. The Best Tips and Tricks for Karthus
11. Finalizing Thoughts
Summoner Spells
To start, we recommend taking Flash and Smite. Karthus lacks mobility, and Flash is essential for escaping dangerous situations. In the current meta, where Assassins are prominent, giving up on Flash can be devastating.
The Best Karthus Runes
For Runes, we suggest Dark Harvest, Cheap Shot, Eyeball Collection, and Ultimate Hunter from the Domination tree. Pair these with Presence of Mind and Last Stand for optimal performance.
The Best Karthus Items
For starting items, go for Hailblade and Refillable Potion. As for Mythic, Liandry’s Anguish is a solid choice. Core items include Sorcerer’s Shoes, Mejai’s Soulstealer, and Zhonya’s Hourglass. Rabadon’s Deathcap, Void Staff, Demonic Embrace, and Morellonomicon are good finishing options. Adjust your build based on the game’s specifics.
The Best Skill Order for Karthus
Max Q first, followed by E, W, and R. Prioritize damage and clearing abilities over utility.
The Best Jungle Paths for Karthus
Now, let’s discuss the best Jungle paths for Karthus. Factors to consider include which lanes provide help in clearing the first camp, counter-jungle opportunities, and which lane to gank first.
Red Side, Red Clear
Start with the Red Buff, then move on to Krugs, Raptors, Wolves, Blue Buff, Gromp, and finish with the Scuttler. Look for ganking opportunities afterwards.
Red Side, Blue Clear
Begin with the Blue Buff, then clear Gromp, Wolves, Raptors, Red Buff, Krugs, and take the Scuttler. Find a lane to gank once your clear is complete.
Blue Side, Red Clear
Mirror the Red Side’s Blue Clear: clear Blue Buff, burst down Gromp with Smite, clear Wolves, Raptors, Red Buff, Krugs, and secure the Scuttler. Look for ganking opportunities later on.
Blue Side, Blue Clear
Repeat the Red Side’s Blue Clear: clear Blue Buff, quickly kill Gromp with Q and Smite, clear Wolves, Raptors, Red Buff, Krugs, and secure the Scuttler. Target a pushed-in lane for ganks.
The Best Tips and Tricks for Karthus
– Use your Ultimate ability in team skirmishes to apply pressure and potentially secure assists.
– Maximize the power of your Wall of Pain by using it strategically to trap enemies or reduce their magic resistance.
– Avoid unnecessary deaths to preserve your Mejai’s stacks and the advantage it provides.
– If death is unavoidable, reposition yourself before dying to continue dealing damage with Qs.
– Practice landing single-target Qs on high-value targets within a group of enemies.
Finalizing Thoughts
Karthus is a versatile champion who excels at dealing damage. However, he requires careful positioning and decision-making. Adjust your build and playstyle based on the game’s circumstances. We hope you found this guide useful, and don’t forget to check out our website for more League of Legends content.