Katarina

Katarina mid is burst-combo assassin. Start Doran's Ring + 2 pots. Avoid AA trades — your damage is ability-based, not auto-based.

Level 2-3 spike: full ability rotation can 30%-50% squishy targets. Track jungler — AP assassins have escape but die to coordinated CC.

Luden's Companion or Hextech Rocketbelt + Sorcerer's Shoes is your spike. Katarina dives squishies — roam side lanes post-6 for pickoffs.

Shadowflame 2nd item for magic pen on shielded targets. Zhonya's 3rd item = bait + reset combo. Pick off ADC/mid in skirmishes — your kill threshold is 60%+ HP.

Backline diver. Katarina flash-combos squishies. Rabadon's Deathcap 4-5th item = 35% AP increase. Avoid getting caught in 5v5 — dive backline only.

Void Staff vs MR stacking. Mejai's Soulstealer on snowball. Track enemy ult cooldowns — fight around their key CDs.

Snowball lane → roam to kill carries → close before tanks scale. Katarina doesn't carry teamfights — you carry pickoffs.

Win: 5+ solo kills + 60%+ R execution rate on squishies. Lose to: tank supports + control mages (Lissandra, Anivia) — can't burst through HP/zone.

Level 2 — full ability kit + first burst window. Level 6 — R for guaranteed kill confirmation. Luden's Companion (1st item) — wave clear + burst proc. Sorcerer's Shoes — magic pen for true damage. Level 11 — R rank 2 + 3 items = 100% HP delete. Mejai's Soulstealer — snowball multiplier.

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
• Track Flash CDs — kill window = enemy Flash on cooldown
• Mejai's stacks reset on death — snowball steady, not greedy