Karthus Splash Art
Karthus

Karthus Jungle

the Deathsinger
Win Rate: All Roles 49.5% | as Jungle 49.0%
Pick Rate: All Roles 1.9% | as Jungle 1.4%
Ban Rate: 1.3%
Analyzed: 11737 ranked matches
League: Platinum+
Patch: 15.16 (25.16)
Jungle ADC ARAM

Karthus Jungle Guide

D Tier

Karthus is playable in Jungle with a 49.0% win rate (#51 among Jungle champions), compared to 49.5% win rate across all roles. Requires solid fundamentals but can work. Karthus appeals only to mains with 1.9% overall pick rate and 1.4% usage in Jungle in Plat+ on patch 15.16 (25.16)**Data may mix with previous patch on the first day of patch release, based on 11737 ranked games. This champion is mainly played in this role - 73.0% of games. Standard build starts with Sorcerer's Shoes, into Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, and Rabadon's Deathcap. Karthus has strong farm - 6.97 CS/min (#6 among Jungle champions) and earns 470 gold per minute. Averages 2.4 KDA (#50 among Jungle champions). Has a 1.3% ban rate (136th place). Karthus deals mostly magic damage, ideal for teams lacking AP threats. Recommended runes: Dark Harvest, Cheap Shot, Grisly Mementos, Treasure Hunter, (Domination) + Presence of Mind, Coup de Grace, (Precision). When playing, most players max abilities in Q > E > W order. Karthus Jungle is strong against Shaco, Sylas, Viego, and weak against Volibear, Master Yi, and Nidalee.

Karthus Roles

Karthus

  • Jungle
    (Jungle - 73.0%) 8562 games

  • ADC
    (ADC - 15.7%) 1838 games

ARAM Stats

  • ARAM
    Analyzed 30749 ARAM games

Karthus Jungle Stats

49.0%
Win Rate (Role)
73.0%
Jungle (Role Rate)
1.3%
Ban Rate
0.0010
Penta/Game
8.0
Kills/Game
7.3
Deaths/Game
9.4
Assists/Game
0.19
Wards/Min
6.97
CS/Min
470
Gold/Min

Damage Type

Physical: 0.8%
Magic: 90.9%
True: 8.32%

Overall Champion Matrix

Karthus Jungle Summoner Spells

Most Popular
Exhaust
Exhaust Slows target enemy champion and reduces their damage dealt.
Smite
Smite Deals true damage to a monster or minion.
48.6% Win Rate 47.7% Pick Rate4080 games

Highest Win Rate
Ignite
Ignite Deals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration.
Smite
Smite Deals true damage to a monster or minion.
78.0% Win Rate 0.1% Pick Rate11 games

Karthus Jungle Item Builds

Most Popular Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
Scorchclaw Pup
Scorchclaw Pup (450 gold) Jungle Companions
Summon a Scorchclaw that assists you against monsters.
Scorchclaw's Slash
The companion grows as you hunt monsters, empowering your Smite. When fully grown, it periodically imbues your next Attack or Ability to burn enemies and Slow them. Killing large monsters readies this immediately.
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
48.6% Win Rate 37.8% Pick Rate3239 games
Popular Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
50.4% Win Rate 88.2% Pick Rate7547 games
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
45 Move Speed
Ionian Insight
Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
40.9% Win Rate 1.7% Pick Rate148 games
Symbiotic Soles
Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
Voidborn
Gain Empowered Recall.
Symbiosis
After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
51.9% Win Rate 0.2% Pick Rate15 games
Core Build
Fated Ashes
Fated Ashes (900 gold) 30 Ability Power
Inflame
Damaging Abilities deal 15 bonus magic damage over 3 seconds.
Deals an additional 45 magic damage to monsters.
->
Blackfire Torch
Blackfire Torch (2800 gold) 80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rabadon's Deathcap (3600 gold) 130 Ability Power
Magical Opus
Increases your total Ability Power by 30%.
53.0% Win Rate 10.5% Pick Rate896 games
Final Build
Void Staff
Void Staff (3000 gold) 95 Ability Power
40% Magic Penetration
58.8% Win Rate 24.7% Pick Rate2111 games

Best Win Rate Build

Starting Items
Oracle Lens
Oracle Lens (0 gold) Active (160 - 100s, max 2 charges)
Reveals enemy Stealth Wards and traps around you for 6 seconds.
Gustwalker Hatchling
Gustwalker Hatchling (450 gold) Jungle Companions
Summon a Gustwalker that assists you against monsters.
Gustwalker's Gait
The companion grows as you hunt monsters, empowering your Smite. When fully grown, it grants Move Speed upon entering brush, increased when killing large monsters.
54.1% Win Rate 1.2% Pick Rate105 games
Highest Winrate Boots
Symbiotic Soles
Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
Voidborn
Gain Empowered Recall.
Symbiosis
After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
51.9% Win Rate 0.2% Pick Rate15 games
Sorcerer's Shoes
Sorcerer's Shoes (1100 gold) 12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed
50.4% Win Rate 88.2% Pick Rate7547 games
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
45.9% Win Rate 0.1% Pick Rate11 games
Core Build
Lost Chapter
Lost Chapter (1200 gold) 40 Ability Power
300 Mana
10 Ability Haste
Enlighten
Levelling up restores 20% max Mana over 3 seconds.
->
Blackfire Torch
Blackfire Torch (2800 gold) 80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.
Shadowflame
Shadowflame (3200 gold) 110 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
Cinderbloom
Magic and true damage Critically Strikes enemies below 40% Health, dealing 20% increased damage.
57.2% Win Rate 5.5% Pick Rate472 games
Final Build
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
74.8% Win Rate 5.8% Pick Rate494 games
Other Items
Zhonya's Hourglass
Zhonya's Hourglass (3250 gold) 105 Ability Power
50 Armor

Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.
54.2% Win Rate 15.0% Pick Rate1281 games
Stormsurge
Stormsurge (2900 gold) 90 Ability Power
15 Magic Penetration
4% Move Speed
Stormraider
Dealing 25% of a champion's maximum Health within 2.5s applies Squall to them and grants 25% Move Speed for 1.5 seconds.
Squall
After 2 seconds, deal magic damage. If the target dies before Squall triggers, it damages nearby enemies and grants 30 gold.
52.1% Win Rate 6.3% Pick Rate539 games
Liandry's Torment
Liandry's Torment (3000 gold) 70 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.
57.3% Win Rate 6.3% Pick Rate538 games
Malignance
Malignance (2700 gold) 85 Ability Power
600 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Scorn
Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
Hatefog
Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.
57.0% Win Rate 6.0% Pick Rate511 games
Mejai's Soulstealer
Mejai's Soulstealer (1500 gold) 20 Ability Power
100 Health
Glory
Takedowns grant Glory, up to 25. 10 Glory is lost on death.
Gain 5 Ability Power per Glory and 10% Move Speed at 10 or higher Glory.
74.8% Win Rate 5.8% Pick Rate494 games
Morellonomicon
Morellonomicon (2950 gold) 75 Ability Power
350 Health
15 Ability Haste
Grievous Wounds
Dealing magic damage to champions applies 40% Wounds for 3 seconds.
52.7% Win Rate 5.0% Pick Rate426 games
Horizon Focus
Horizon Focus (2700 gold) 75 Ability Power
25 Ability Haste
Hypershot
Dealing Ability damage to champions at 600 range or greater Reveals them for 6 seconds.
Deal 10% increased damage to enemies Revealed by this item.
Focus
When Hypershot is triggered, Reveal all other enemy champions within 1400 range of them for 3 seconds.
51.8% Win Rate 2.9% Pick Rate251 games

Karthus Jungle Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Domination
Dark Harvest
Dark Harvest

Dark Harvest

Damaging a Champion below 50% health deals adaptive damage and harvests their soul, perma…

Cheap Shot
Cheap Shot

Cheap Shot

Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true d…

Grisly Mementos
Grisly Mementos

Grisly Mementos

Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.Gain 6 Trinket Haste fo…

Treasure Hunter
Treasure Hunter

Treasure Hunter

Gain an additional 50 gold the next time you collect a Bounty Hunter stack. Inc…

Secondary Path
Precision
Presence of Mind
Presence of Mind

Presence of Mind

Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.Take…

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace

Coup de Grace

Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Adaptive
Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

50.0% Win Rate 57.6% Pick Rate4928 games

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Domination
Dark Harvest
Dark Harvest

Dark Harvest

Damaging a Champion below 50% health deals adaptive damage and harvests their soul, perma…

Cheap Shot
Cheap Shot

Cheap Shot

Damaging champions with impaired movement or actions deals 10 - 45 bonus true d…

Grisly Mementos
Grisly Mementos

Grisly Mementos

Collect 1 memento on champion takedowns, up to 18 total.Gain 6 Trinket Haste fo…

Treasure Hunter
Treasure Hunter

Treasure Hunter

Gain an additional 50 gold the next time you collect a Bounty Hunter stack. Inc…

Secondary Path
Precision
Presence of Mind
Presence of Mind

Presence of Mind

Damaging an enemy champion restores 6-50 (80% for ranged) mana or 6 energy.Take…

Coup de Grace
Coup de Grace

Coup de Grace

Deal 8% more damage to champions who have less than 40% health.

Adaptive
Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Adaptive Force
Adaptive Force

Adaptive Force

Grants 9 Attack Damage or 9 Ability Power

Scaling Health
Scaling Health

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

50.0% Win Rate 57.6% Pick Rate4928 games

Karthus best with

Xayah Synergy Champion
+7.7%
Xayah
Xayah
Irelia Synergy Champion
+7.1%
Irelia
Irelia

Karthus Jungle Skill (abilities) Orders

Most Frequent Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
47.9% Win Rate 73.5% Pick Rate6290 games

Highest Win % Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > E > W
64.8% Win Rate 0.3% Pick Rate29 games

Countered by Karthus

Shaco - countered by Karthus
+8.0%
Shaco
Shaco
Sylas - countered by Karthus
+6.2%
Sylas
Sylas
Viego - countered by Karthus
+3.6%
Viego
Viego
Nautilus - countered by Karthus
+2.8%
Nautilus
Nautilus
Graves - countered by Karthus
+2.6%
Graves
Graves
Kha'Zix - countered by Karthus
+2.1%
Kha'Zix
Kha'Zix
Zed - countered by Karthus
+1.7%
Zed
Zed
Xin Zhao - countered by Karthus
+1.2%
Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao

Karthus Counterpicks

Volibear - effective counter against Karthus
-4.6%
Volibear
Volibear
Master Yi - effective counter against Karthus
-3.6%
Master Yi
Master Yi
Nidalee - effective counter against Karthus
-3.8%
Nidalee
Nidalee
Ekko - effective counter against Karthus
-2.6%
Ekko
Ekko
Kayn - effective counter against Karthus
-2.3%
Kayn
Kayn
Diana - effective counter against Karthus
-1.9%
Diana
Diana
Lee Sin - effective counter against Karthus
-1.2%
Lee Sin
Lee Sin

Karthus Jungle Lane Matchups

Karthus
+8.0%
Shaco

Karthus vs Shaco
Karthus
+3.6%
Viego

Karthus vs Viego
Karthus
+2.1%
Kha'Zix

Karthus vs Kha'Zix
Karthus
+1.7%
Zed

Karthus vs Zed
Karthus
+1.2%
Xin Zhao

Karthus vs Xin Zhao
Karthus
-0.2%
Vi

Karthus vs Vi
Karthus
-1.2%
Lee Sin

Karthus vs Lee Sin
Karthus
-2.0%
Nocturne

Karthus vs Nocturne
Karthus
-2.3%
Kayn

Karthus vs Kayn
Karthus
-3.6%
Jarvan IV

Karthus vs Jarvan IV
Karthus
-5.2%
Pantheon

Karthus vs Pantheon
Karthus
-5.8%
Trundle

Karthus vs Trundle

Karthus lore:

The harbinger of oblivion, Karthus is an undying spirit whose haunting songs are a prelude to the horror of his nightmarish appearance. The living fear the eternity of undeath, but Karthus sees only beauty and purity in its embrace, a perfect union of life and death. When Karthus emerges from the Shadow Isles, it is to bring the joy of death to mortals, an apostle of the unliving.

Karthus tips:

  • Ask your allies to help point out when you should use Requiem to get kills in different lanes.
  • Lay Waste is very strong at farming minions and harassing enemy champions.

Playing Against Karthus

  • Karthus can cast spells for a short duration after he is killed. Move away from his corpse to be safe.
  • Make sure you always have enough health to survive Requiem, even if you have to go back to the base more frequently to heal.

Karthus abilities description:

Death Defied
P
Death Defied (passive)
Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
Lay Waste
Q
Lay Waste (Q)
Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.
Wall of Pain
W
Wall of Pain (W)
Karthus creates a passable screen of leeching energy. Any enemy units that walk through the screen have their Move Speed and Magic Resist reduced for a period.
Defile
E
Defile (E)
Karthus passively steals energy from his victims, gaining Mana on each kill. Alternatively, Karthus can surround himself in the souls of his prey, dealing damage to nearby enemies, but quickly draining his own Mana.
Requiem
R
Requiem (R)
After channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.

Karthus Skins and Splash Arts

Default Karthus Default Karthus
Phantom Karthus Phantom Karthus
Statue of Karthus Statue of Karthus
Grim Reaper Karthus Grim Reaper Karthus
Pentakill Karthus Pentakill Karthus
Fnatic Karthus Fnatic Karthus
Karthus Lightsbane Karthus Lightsbane
Infernal Karthus Infernal Karthus
Pentakill III: Lost Chapter Karthus Pentakill III: Lost Chapter Karthus
Elderwood Karthus Elderwood Karthus