Source: Ranked + player metaPatch: 16.17Window: patchRegion: allRank: emerald_plusQueue: ranked_soloSample: 45Updated 9/11/2026, 8:22:05 PM
Confidence: Medium-1.1% vs 50%45 games
Lane phases
Levels 1–2
Even
Karthus and Kassadin trade evenly before spikes.
Levels 3–5
Kassadin edge
Play around ability cooldowns and wave control.
Level 6+
Kassadin edge
Ultimate timing often swings the next two waves.
Mid / late
Even
Side-wave and vision decide more than the raw lane matchup.
Why?
Sample-basedEven
- Sample win rate for Karthus is 48.9% in this matchup.
Treat this as a Even matchup for Karthus into Kassadin — prioritize cooldown windows and jungle tracking.
Do
- Track summoner spells and ultimate cooldowns before committing.
- Play for wave states that let you crash and reset safely.
Don't
- Don't force extended trades when key abilities are down.
- Don't ignore jungle timers when the lane is volatile.
Matchup build callout
Full builds →Most-played Karthus page (ADC): Deathfire Touch Build · 60.6% WR · 71 games
Skill order: Q › E › W
Patch: 16.17Region: naRank: emerald_plusQueue: ranked_soloSample: 97Updated 9/11/2026, 8:18:15 PM