Axiom Arc Karthus Build

ARAM Build Guide for champion Karthus and build Axiom Arc.

Axiom Arc Karthus build with runes and items. Axiom Arc Karthus guide offers in-depth how-to play, skill order and tips. Play Axiom Arc Karthus build in League of Legends Patch 14.21!

Updated: 2024-10-09 ()

TLDR

Starting items
Lost Chapter should be final item in your build.
Quick Skill Order
Karthus ability Defile should be leveled first.
E
Karthus ability Lay Waste should be leveled second.
Q
Karthus ability Wall of Pain should be leveled third.
W
Final items
Sorcerer's Shoes should be final item in your build.
Liandry's Torment should be final item in your build.
Malignance should be final item in your build.
Axiom Arc should be final item in your build.
Rabadon's Deathcap should be final item in your build.
Void Staff should be final item in your build.
Quick Runes
Major rune First Strike from Inspiration tree.
Minor rune Precision.
Summoner spells
Pick Mark as your Summoner Spell.
Pick Flash as your Summoner Spell.

Axiom Arc Karthus Runes

Inspiration
Inspiration major tree Glacial Augment rune.
Inspiration major tree Unsealed Spellbook rune.
Inspiration major tree First Strike rune.
Inspiration major tree Hextech Flashtraption rune.
Inspiration major tree Magical Footwear rune.
Inspiration major tree Cash Back rune.
Inspiration major tree Triple Tonic rune.
Inspiration major tree Time Warp Tonic rune.
Inspiration major tree Biscuit Delivery rune.
Inspiration major tree Cosmic Insight rune.
Inspiration major tree Approach Velocity rune.
Inspiration major tree Jack Of All Trades rune.
Precision
Precision minor tree Absorb Life rune.
Precision minor tree Triumph rune.
Precision minor tree Presence of Mind rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Alacrity rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Haste rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Bloodline rune.
Precision minor tree Coup de Grace rune.
Precision minor tree Cut Down rune.
Precision minor tree Last Stand rune.
Passive
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Attack Speed rune (+10% Attack Speed).
Passive tree Ability Haste rune (+8 Ability Haste).
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Move Speed rune (+2 Movement Speed).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).
Passive tree Health rune (+65 Health).
Passive tree Tenacity And Slow Resist rune (+10 Tenacity and Slow Resist).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).

How it works

General
  1. You use your R frequently, thanks to Axiom Arc cooldown reduction.
  2. You try to use your Rs with First Strike, to boost damage and earn gold.
  3. Liandry's Torment works with Axiom Arc (bigger window of R cooldown reduction because of burn effects).
  4. Last Stand rune does TONS of damage.

How to play

General
  1. Rush #1 Liandry's Torment, #2 Axiom Arc.
  2. You can use R just to poke enemies. 100+ gold First Strike ensured!
  3. Usually wait for First Strike and proc it with your R. Be careful to not get poked, because you waste First Strike procs.
  4. Late in the game, you can sell boots and go for sixth AP item.
  5. The Collector works surprisingly well with DoTs. You can buy it if you are ahead or want to test this out.
Karthus Axiom Arc specific
  1. You will be going in all the time, getting gold, delaing tons of damage, dying and then buying items. This will give you tempo and full build early
  2. Do not be afraid to go in and die. Most of the time, you will reduce cooldown of your R and ult right after.
  3. You max E for sustained damage that works great with your items + R reset + Last Stand rune.
  4. Once you have core items, try ulting on cooldown, ideally targetting whole enemy team. Check for tips section how to do it most efficiently.

Tips and Tricks

General
  1. Late in the game, you can sell boots and go for sixth AP item.
  2. You can stop push by using W on minions.
  3. You can die in strategic positions and prevent an enemy team from pushing/defending turret.
  4. You can start casting your R when somebody is dead and has 2 seconds left, so you will hit him instantly with R (i.e Fizz won't use E to dodge it).
  5. Enemies in your base? Use E before taking portal (frost-gate) - you will damage them on your way!
Riot
  1. Ask your allies to help point out when you should use Requiem to get kills in different lanes.
  2. Lay Waste is very strong at farming minions and harassing enemy champions.

Skill Order

  • Karthus [object Object] ability.
    Q
    Lay Waste
  • Karthus [object Object] ability.
    W
    Wall of Pain
  • Karthus [object Object] ability.
    E
    Defile
  • Karthus [object Object] ability.
    R
    Requiem

Items

Starting items
Lost Chapter item.
Rush #1
Liandry's Torment item.
Rush #2
Axiom Arc item.
Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes item.
Ionian Boots of Lucidity item.
For mana problems
Tear of the Goddess item.
Seraph's Embrace item.
Good items
Blackfire Torch item.
Horizon Focus item.
Rabadon's Deathcap item.
Void Staff item.
Malignance item.
Shadowflame item.
Situational items
Banshee's Veil item.
Zhonya's Hourglass item.
Fun item
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
The Collector item.
Counter enemy
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Morellonomicon item.
Rylai's Crystal Scepter item.
For the last fight
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Elixir of Sorcery item.
Seeker's Armguard item.
Elixir of Iron item.
Example final build
Sorcerer's Shoes item.
Liandry's Torment item.
Malignance item.
Axiom Arc item.
Rabadon's Deathcap item.
Void Staff item.