Karthus Jungle build & stats
- Win rate
- 50.6%
- Pick rate
- 2.2%
- Ban rate
- 3.3%
Recommended build
Chosen by win rate among builds with enough games, from ranked matches of high-elo players on patch 16.16
Start with
Build in this order
Boots
Runes
Domination +
Precision 
Damaging a low health champion inflicts adaptive damage and harvests a soul from the victim.
Cheap Shot
Sixth Sense
Treasure Hunter
Triumph
Last Stand
Summoner spells
51.3%
267 games
Max order
Q
E
W
59.1%
88 games
Each line is the variant with the best win rate among those played enough times, not simply the most popular one. Win rates are smoothed so a lucky three-game build can't top the list. Sample sizes are shown next to every choice.
Tips for Karthus
Generated from this patch's numbers
- Karthus wins 50.6% of games as Jungle on patch 16.16 (385 games).
- Most common core: Blackfire Torch → Liandry's Torment → Shadowflame — 87% win rate over 15 games.
- Take Deathfire Touch as keystone: picked in 60% of games with a 51% win rate.
- Best matchup: Qiyana (80% over 15 games). Hardest: Kha'Zix (29% over 17 games) — consider a ban or a different pick when you see it.
Items
Core build in purchase order (from match timelines)
Core build
Starting items
Boots
Legendary items by win rate
| Item | Win rate | Pick |
|---|---|---|
| 68.6% | 9% (35) | |
| 63.6% | 3% (11) | |
| 60.0% | 1% (5) | |
| 58.3% | 3% (12) | |
| 58.3% | 42% (163) | |
| 58.2% | 32% (122) | |
| 57.8% | 28% (109) | |
| 55.9% | 29% (111) | |
| 53.4% | 60% (232) | |
| 50.9% | 97% (373) | |
| 40.0% | 1% (5) | |
| 30.0% | 3% (10) |
Runes
Most played full pages and keystone win rates
Sorcery +
Domination 
Damaging a champion with an ability burns them over time.
Axiom Arcanist
Absolute Focus
Gathering Storm
Cheap Shot
Ultimate Hunter
Sorcery +
Precision
Sorcery +
Domination
Keystones
-
Deathfire Touch
Damaging a champion with an ability burns them over time.
51.3%60% pick
-
Dark Harvest
Damaging a low health champion inflicts adaptive damage and harvests a soul from the victim.
51.5%34% pick
-
First Strike
When you initiate champion combat, deal 7% extra damage for 3 seconds and gain gold based on damage dealt.
47.1%4% pick
Summoner spells
-
Flash + Smite
51.3%69% pick
-
Exhaust + Smite
51.2%21% pick
-
Smite + Ignite
51.6%8% pick
Abilities & skill order
Which ability to max first, from match timelines
Q
E
W
59.1%88 games
Most common first three levels: Q → E → Q (57%), Q → E → W (100%).
-
PDeath DefiedUpon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.
-
QLay Waste
Karthus unleashes a delayed blast at a location, dealing damage to nearby enemies. Deals increased damage to isolated enemies.
-
WWall of Pain
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.
-
EDefile
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.
-
RRequiemAfter channeling for 3 seconds, Karthus deals damage to all enemy champions.