Karthus

Openingsall within the 475 starting gold

• Doran's Ring400gAbility Power15Health60Mana Regen3 / 5sPassive: Restores 4 Mana upon killing a unit.Basic item — no components.2Health Potion35gClick to Consume: Restores 150 Health over 15 seconds. Limited to 5 at one time.Basic item — no components.Yellow Trinket0gActive: s Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 60 seconds.Basic item — no components.

  Doran's Ring start — Default lane start when you expect normal trading and want AP, health, and last-hit mana return immediately.

• Crystalline Flask345gReplenishment: Holds 3 charges and refills upon visiting the shop.Active: Consumes a charge to restore 120 Health and 60 Mana over 12 seconds.Basic item — no components.3Health Potion35gClick to Consume: Restores 150 Health over 15 seconds. Limited to 5 at one time.Basic item — no components.Yellow Trinket0gActive: s Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 60 seconds.Basic item — no components.

  Flask sustain start — Use against poke or difficult lanes where repeated health and mana refills let you farm safely until Tear/Catalyst.

• Boots of Speed325gEnhanced Movement: 25 Move SpeedBasic item — no components.4Health Potion35gClick to Consume: Restores 150 Health over 15 seconds. Limited to 5 at one time.Basic item — no components.Yellow Trinket0gActive: s Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 60 seconds.Basic item — no components.

  Boots sustain start — Use when dodging skillshots or avoiding early all-ins is more important than raw lane stats.

Corein buy order

• 1Tear of the Goddess700g (120g to combine)Mana250Mana Regen7 / 5sMana Charge: Grants 4 maximum Mana (max 750 Mana) for each spell cast and Mana expenditure (occurs up to 2 times every 4 seconds).Recipe

  Tear of the GoddessTear of the Goddess700g (120g to combine)Mana250Mana Regen7 / 5sMana Charge: Grants 4 maximum Mana (max 750 Mana) for each spell cast and Mana expenditure (occurs up to 2 times every 4 seconds).Recipe700gTear of the Goddess solves Karthus's heavy mana demands and stacks quickly through frequent Lay Waste casts.

• 2Rod of Ages2,800g (740g to combine)Ability Power60Health450Mana450Wisdom of Ages: Grants 20 Health, 20 Mana, and 2 Ability Power per stack (max 200 Health, 200 Mana, and 20 Ability Power). Grants 1 stack per minute (max 10 stacks).Contemplation: Upon leveling up, restores 150 Health and 200 Mana over 8 seconds.Recipe

  Rod of AgesRod of Ages2,800g (740g to combine)Ability Power60Health450Mana450Wisdom of Ages: Grants 20 Health, 20 Mana, and 2 Ability Power per stack (max 200 Health, 200 Mana, and 20 Ability Power). Grants 1 stack per minute (max 10 stacks).Contemplation: Upon leveling up, restores 150 Health and 200 Mana over 8 seconds.Recipe2,800gRod of Ages gives the health, mana, and AP Karthus needs to stand close enough for Defile while scaling into mid game.

• 3Sorcerer's Shoes1,100g (775g to combine)Magic Penetration15Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe

  Sorcerer's ShoesSorcerer's Shoes1,100g (775g to combine)Magic Penetration15Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe1,100gSorcerer's Shoes combine with magic penetration runes and Wall of Pain's magic resist reduction to make his spell damage bite.

• 4Archangel's Staff2,700g (1,140g to combine)Ability Power60Mana250Mana Regen10 / 5sInsight: Grants Ability Power equal to 3% of maximum Mana.Mana Charge: Grants +8 maximum Mana (max 750 Mana) for each spell cast and Mana expenditure (occurs up to 2 times every 4 seconds). Transforms into Seraph's Embrace at +750 Mana.Recipe

  Archangel's StaffArchangel's Staff2,700g (1,140g to combine)Ability Power60Mana250Mana Regen10 / 5sInsight: Grants Ability Power equal to 3% of maximum Mana.Mana Charge: Grants +8 maximum Mana (max 750 Mana) for each spell cast and Mana expenditure (occurs up to 2 times every 4 seconds). Transforms into Seraph's Embrace at +750 Mana.Recipe2,700gArchangel's Staff converts the stacked Tear and large mana pool into a major AP spike.

Situationalonly when the game asks for it

• Rylai's Crystal Scepter2,900g (605g to combine)Ability Power80Health500Frost Crystal: Dealing spell damage Slows the target's Move Speed by 35% for 1.5 seconds (15% for multi-target and damage-over-time spells).Recipe

  Rylai's Crystal ScepterRylai's Crystal Scepter2,900g (605g to combine)Ability Power80Health500Frost Crystal: Dealing spell damage Slows the target's Move Speed by 35% for 1.5 seconds (15% for multi-target and damage-over-time spells).Recipe2,900gBuy Rylai's Crystal Scepter when your team needs persistent slows from Defile and extra health for front-line deaths.

• Abyssal Scepter2,560g (980g to combine)Ability Power70Magic Resist45Aura - Despair: Reduces the Magic Resist of nearby enemies by 20Recipe

  Abyssal ScepterAbyssal Scepter2,560g (980g to combine)Ability Power70Magic Resist45Aura - Despair: Reduces the Magic Resist of nearby enemies by 20Recipe2,560gBuy Abyssal Scepter against double-AP threats or when fights happen in Defile range so the aura reliably amplifies your magic damage.

• Liandry's Torment2,900g (980g to combine)Ability Power50Health300Eyes of Pain: 15 Magic PenetrationMana Burn: Dealing spell damage applies a damage-over-time effect for 3 seconds that deals bonus magic damage equal to 2% of the target's current Health per second. This bonus damage is doubled against movement-impaired units and capped at 100 damage per second vs. monsters.Recipe

  Liandry's TormentLiandry's Torment2,900g (980g to combine)Ability Power50Health300Eyes of Pain: 15 Magic PenetrationMana Burn: Dealing spell damage applies a damage-over-time effect for 3 seconds that deals bonus magic damage equal to 2% of the target's current Health per second. This bonus damage is doubled against movement-impaired units and capped at 100 damage per second vs. monsters.Recipe2,900gBuy Liandry's Torment against health-stacking teams, especially when you can keep enemies slowed by Wall of Pain or Rylai's.

• Banshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.Recipe

  Banshee's VeilBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.Recipe2,750gBuy Banshee's Veil when one spell interrupt or pick tool is stopping you from positioning or channeling Requiem.

• Mercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe

  Mercury's TreadsMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe1,200gBuy Mercury's Treads instead of Sorcerer's Shoes only when crowd control or magic damage would otherwise keep you from dealing sustained Defile damage.

Openingsall within the 475 starting gold

• Hunter's Machete300gPassive: Basic Attacks deal 10 magic damage to monsters On-Hit.Butcher: Damage dealt to monsters increased by 10%.Basic item — no components.5Health Potion35gClick to Consume: Restores 150 Health over 15 seconds. Limited to 5 at one time.Basic item — no components.Yellow Trinket0gActive: s Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 60 seconds.Basic item — no components.

  Machete sustain start — Default jungle start: Hunter's Machete plus five Health Potions gives the safest first clear and keeps Smite clears stable.

• Hunter's Machete300gPassive: Basic Attacks deal 10 magic damage to monsters On-Hit.Butcher: Damage dealt to monsters increased by 10%.Basic item — no components.3Health Potion35gClick to Consume: Restores 150 Health over 15 seconds. Limited to 5 at one time.Basic item — no components.Sight Ward75gClick to Consume: Places an invisible ward that reveals the surrounding area for 3 minutes.Basic item — no components.Yellow Trinket0gActive: s Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 60 seconds.Basic item — no components.

  Machete ward start — Use when you expect an invade or need to protect the first blue route; the ward costs clear health but prevents the disaster scenario.

Corein buy order

• 1Spirit of the Spectral Wraith2,000g (100g to combine)Ability Power40Mana Regen10 / 5sCooldown Reduction10%Wraith Touch: 20% Spell VampHaunting Memories: Reduces the cooldown of Smite by 20%.Butcher: Damage dealt to monsters increased by 30%.Recipe

  Spirit of the Spectral WraithSpirit of the Spectral Wraith2,000g (100g to combine)Ability Power40Mana Regen10 / 5sCooldown Reduction10%Wraith Touch: 20% Spell VampHaunting Memories: Reduces the cooldown of Smite by 20%.Butcher: Damage dealt to monsters increased by 30%.Recipe2,000gSpirit of the Spectral Wraith is the AP jungle item: it gives AP, mana regen, cooldown reduction, spell vamp, faster Smite, and monster damage.

• 2Sorcerer's Shoes1,100g (775g to combine)Magic Penetration15Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe

  Sorcerer's ShoesSorcerer's Shoes1,100g (775g to combine)Magic Penetration15Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe1,100gSorcerer's Shoes stack early magic penetration with marks and Haunting Guise-style damage patterns for Q, E, and Requiem.

• 3Rabadon's Deathcap3,300g (840g to combine)Ability Power120Magical Opus: Increases Ability Power by 30%.Recipe

  Rabadon's DeathcapRabadon's Deathcap3,300g (840g to combine)Ability Power120Magical Opus: Increases Ability Power by 30%.Recipe3,300gRabadon's Deathcap turns Karthus from a clearing mage into a real global execute threat with Requiem.

• 4Zhonya's Hourglass3,260g (500g to combine)Ability Power120Armor50Active: 90s Champion becomes Invulnerable and Untargetable for 2.5 seconds, but is unable to move, attack, cast spells, or use items during this time.Recipe

  Zhonya's HourglassZhonya's Hourglass3,260g (500g to combine)Ability Power120Armor50Active: 90s Champion becomes Invulnerable and Untargetable for 2.5 seconds, but is unable to move, attack, cast spells, or use items during this time.Recipe3,260gZhonya's Hourglass lets jungle Karthus walk into Defile range, force cooldowns, and keep damage running before Death Defied takes over.

Situationalonly when the game asks for it

• Rod of Ages2,800g (740g to combine)Ability Power60Health450Mana450Wisdom of Ages: Grants 20 Health, 20 Mana, and 2 Ability Power per stack (max 200 Health, 200 Mana, and 20 Ability Power). Grants 1 stack per minute (max 10 stacks).Contemplation: Upon leveling up, restores 150 Health and 200 Mana over 8 seconds.Recipe

  Rod of AgesRod of Ages2,800g (740g to combine)Ability Power60Health450Mana450Wisdom of Ages: Grants 20 Health, 20 Mana, and 2 Ability Power per stack (max 200 Health, 200 Mana, and 20 Ability Power). Grants 1 stack per minute (max 10 stacks).Contemplation: Upon leveling up, restores 150 Health and 200 Mana over 8 seconds.Recipe2,800gBuy Rod of Ages early instead of rushing pure damage if the game is slow and you need health and mana before large fights.

• Liandry's Torment2,900g (980g to combine)Ability Power50Health300Eyes of Pain: 15 Magic PenetrationMana Burn: Dealing spell damage applies a damage-over-time effect for 3 seconds that deals bonus magic damage equal to 2% of the target's current Health per second. This bonus damage is doubled against movement-impaired units and capped at 100 damage per second vs. monsters.Recipe

  Liandry's TormentLiandry's Torment2,900g (980g to combine)Ability Power50Health300Eyes of Pain: 15 Magic PenetrationMana Burn: Dealing spell damage applies a damage-over-time effect for 3 seconds that deals bonus magic damage equal to 2% of the target's current Health per second. This bonus damage is doubled against movement-impaired units and capped at 100 damage per second vs. monsters.Recipe2,900gBuy Liandry's Torment when enemies are stacking health and fights last long enough for repeated Q and Defile burns.

• Abyssal Scepter2,560g (980g to combine)Ability Power70Magic Resist45Aura - Despair: Reduces the Magic Resist of nearby enemies by 20Recipe

  Abyssal ScepterAbyssal Scepter2,560g (980g to combine)Ability Power70Magic Resist45Aura - Despair: Reduces the Magic Resist of nearby enemies by 20Recipe2,560gBuy Abyssal Scepter against double AP or when your team has multiple magic damage threats fighting in your Defile range.

• Mercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe

  Mercury's TreadsMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe1,200gBuy Mercury's Treads instead of Sorcerer's Shoes when crowd control will stop you from reaching useful Defile positions.

• Frozen Heart2,900g (550g to combine)Armor95Mana400Cooldown Reduction20%Aura - Frostbite: Reduces the Attack Speed of nearby enemies by 20%.Recipe

  Frozen HeartFrozen Heart2,900g (550g to combine)Armor95Mana400Cooldown Reduction20%Aura - Frostbite: Reduces the Attack Speed of nearby enemies by 20%.Recipe2,900gBuy Frozen Heart against heavy physical attackers if you must be the front-line aura holder and cannot survive with Zhonya's alone.