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Karthus·Jungle Guide

Death DefiedP
Lay WasteQ
Wall of PainW
DefileE
RequiemR
Win rate50.9%
Pick rate2.6%
Ban rate7.7%
Matches27 777-
Karthus Jungle has a 50.9% win rate and 2.6% pick rate in Emerald + and is currently ranked A tier. Below, you will find a very detailed guide for Karthus Jungle, where we explain strengths and weaknesses of the champion, powerspikes, and game plans for each stage of the game. Step up your game with our Karthus Jungle guide!
Karthus Top
Karthus Jungle
Karthus Mid
Karthus Bot
Karthus Support
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Karthus Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths

He has a really fast jungle clear. This allows him to hit major power spikes faster than the enemy Jungler.

Karthus has tons of map pressure when his Ultimate RequiemR is up. As long as he keeps an eye on the minimap at all times, he can use it to pick up kills easily.

Even when Karthus dies, he is still a threat to the enemy team thanks to his Passive as he can continue to use his Lay WasteQ and RequiemR briefly while he is dead.

Weaknesses

Extremely farm oriented champ who can not recover from a set back with ease. If the enemy Jungler keeps invading him, he won’t be able to do much without his team’s help.

His playstyle revolves around power farming till he gets his Ultimate RequiemR. This means he won’t be able to gank or counter gank early on unless it is a guaranteed kill for him.

His Ultimate RequiemR deals meagre amounts of damage during the early game which forces him to use it only when the enemy is too low. This can be a detriment if he doesn’t have his items or if he is set back early on.

Game plan
Early game
0 - 15 min
Karthus is Average

Focus on power farming. You will need to hit level 6 as quickly as possible to unlock your Ultimate RequiemR.

Once you’re level 6, keep an eye on the minimap and the enemies health bars. Whenever your Ultimate RequiemR is up, you’ll have global map pressure.

Play safe in the early game. You need time to come online and if you fall behind, you will struggle to farm and you will delay your first major power spike.

Mid game
15 - 25 min
Karthus is Strong

Powerfarm in the mid-game. You need to earn as much gold and XP as possible so you can level up quickly.

Try to secure objectives like the Baron and Dragon. Karthus can take objectives fast thanks to his Lay WasteQ and DefileE.

Look for picks with your Wall of PainW and your Ultimate RequiemR. Catching someone out with your Wall of PainW is a great way of getting the numbers advantage while you can use your Ultimate RequiemR to pick off low health enemies.

Late game
25+ min
Karthus is Strong

Play around your Ultimate RequiemR in the late game. It deals tons of damage and you need for it to be up before committing to a fight.

Stick with your team in the late game. Getting caught out will result in your team having to play 4v5. As you’re the Jungler after all, if you die when the Baron’s up, the enemy will take it for free.

Rush objectives as soon as they spawn. You should be able to take them fast thanks to your Lay WasteQ.

Jungle pathing
Early Game
Early Game
Power Spikes
Early game0 - 15 min

Karthus has great objective control due to the amplified damage dealt by his Lay WasteQ on single targets. It will allow him to finish objectives pretty quickly once he gets some items.

Level 6 is a significant power spike as it allows him to stack up his rune, as well as finish off enemies who have managed to escape with a sliver of health.

Once Karthus gets his first item component, he will spam his abilities frequently due to the increased mana. His damage will increase as well and will allow him to gain an overall lead in the game.

Mid game15 - 25 min

He gets a significant power spike at level 11 due to him getting access to his level two Ultimate RequiemR. The damage is increased significantly, mainly if has managed to procure some items along with it.

At level 9, his Lay WasteQ will be maxed out. Anyone who is caught out by Karthus will take a massive chunk of damage and will probably even die if they are singled out by Karthus.

Karthus can control a large part of the lane during the mid-game and pick off enemies with his ranged abilities. He can even slow enemies with his wall, which allows his team to collapse and initiate fights.

Late game25+ min

Karthus is really good during the late game. His abilities will hit like a truck due to his items. His Ultimate RequiemR will be pivotal to winning the game.

Once he gets 3 points in his Ultimate RequiemR, it will allow him to half-health squishy enemies easily. This means that anyone who is behind on the enemy team will suffer a lot.

At this stage of the game, Karthus would've maxed his Lay WasteQ and his DefileE. His damage output in team fights will be very high.

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