Karthus

Karthus jungle is AP burst + objective control. Start Hunter's Talisman + Refillable. Full clear with AoE wave abilities. Hit lvl 3 by 3:30 — first gank window.

Gank lanes with AP burst combo. Electrocute or Conqueror keystone depending on style. Counter-jungle when ahead. Look for Scuttle Crab fight at 3:30.

Luden's Companion or Liandry's Anguish + Sorcerer's Shoes is your spike. Karthus bursts squishies — pickoff carries in skirmishes.

Shadowflame 2nd item for magic pen on shielded targets. Zhonya's 3rd vs dive comp. Pick off ADC/mid in skirmishes — burst threshold = 60%+ HP.

AP burst threat. Karthus bursts priority targets in skirmishes. Rabadon's Deathcap 4-5th item = 35% AP increase. Avoid getting caught — squishy = die in 2 hits.

Void Staff vs MR stacking. Mejai's Soulstealer on snowball. Track enemy ult cooldowns.

Gank with AP burst → roam to kill carries → close before tanks scale. Karthus carries by pickoffs, not 5v5 DPS.

Win: 5+ gank kills + 60%+ R execution rate on squishies. Lose to: tank junglers (Sejuani, Skarner) — can't burst through HP.

Level 3 — full kit + first gank window. Level 6 — R for guaranteed kill confirmation. Liandry's Anguish (1st item) — DoT damage on abilities. Sorcerer's Shoes — magic pen for true damage. Level 11 — R rank 2 + 3 items = 100% HP delete. Rabadon's Deathcap (5th item) — 35% AP amplifier.

Combos:

• E (gap-close) -> Q + W + auto + R = full burst on squishy
• Zhonya's mid-combo = damage interruption + reset window
• Flash + ability for guaranteed engage angle

Anti-tips:

• Don't dive without 3+ ability rotations
• Don't engage tank cluster — dive backline only
• Don't waste R on full-HP tank — execute threshold matters

Pro tricks:

• Stealth/dash ability before combo, not after spotted
• Smite priority targets in objective contests
• Mejai's stacks reset on death — snowball steady