Karthus is a powerful jungle champion with a unique playstyle focused on farming and global pressure. Here's a comprehensive guide for optimal performance:

Core Build (51.1% Win Rate)

• Summoner Spells: Flash, Smite
• First Items: Blackfire Torch, Sorcerer's Shoes, Liandry's Torment
• Full Build: Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff

Runes

• Primary: Dark Harvest, Cheap Shot, Grisly Mementos, Ultimate Hunter
• Secondary: Axiom Arcanist, Gathering Storm
• Shards: Adaptive Force (x2), Health Scaling

Skill Order: Q > E > W

Key Matchups Strong Against:

• Pantheon (63.6% WR)
• Amumu (62.5% WR)
• Rengar (60.9% WR)

Weak Against:

• Skarner (37.0% WR)
• Gwen (37.5% WR)
• Talon (38.3% WR)

Essential Tips:

• Target overextended, low-health lanes for ganks
• Toggle E for efficient jungle clearing
• Monitor minimap for R opportunities on low-health enemies
• Conserve mana by properly managing E usage

Alternative Builds:

1. Aggressive Build

• Core: Malignance, Sorcerer's Shoes, Liandry's Torment
• Summoners: Exhaust, Smite
• Same runes as core build

2. First Strike Build

• Keystone: First Strike
• Secondary: Axiom Arcanist, Gathering Storm
• Build: Same as core, with Zhonya's instead of Void Staff

Best Synergies:

• Naafiri (52.6% WR)
• Jayce (51.3% WR)
• Yone (50.5% WR)

Situational items should be chosen based on enemy team composition and game state. Consider Zhonya's Hourglass against high-burst teams or Shadowflame against shield-heavy compositions.

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