MacroMind matchup data — real ranked games, not opinions
Kai'Sa vs Karthus
What is Kai'Sa's win rate vs Karthus?
In ADC, Kai'Sa wins 45% against Karthus across 559 observed ranked games. This is an observed win rate shown with its sample size, not a prediction or a guaranteed counter.
By 15 minutes the median game has Kai'Sa behind by 312 gold.
Does Kai'Sa counter Karthus?
No. This one runs the other way: Karthus takes 55% of 559 ranked ADC games, and the gap clears the noise band. {{champion}} players still win it — the conditional rates on this page show which spots flip it, each with its own game count.
How to beat Karthus as Kai'Sa
When Kai'Sa is 300 gold up at 10:00, this matchup runs 54% over 274 games; 300 down, it drops to 36% over 285.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 300 gold up at 10:00 | 54% | 274 |
| 300 gold down at 10:00 | 36% | 285 |
| First blood | 52% | 328 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 54% | 236 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 55% | 257 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 64% | 91 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 3:36; the level 6 spike lands around 7:38. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Kai'Sa build in ADC?
Into Karthus specifically, Kai'Sa finishes Kraken Slayer first most often: 48.9% over 186 games of this matchup.
The most-finished core in this exact matchup is Kraken Slayer, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Dusk and Dawn: 53.8% across 52 games.
The most-finished Kai'Sa core is Kraken Slayer, Guinsoo's Rageblade, Dusk and Dawn: 53.5% across 26,866 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 16.1-16.12.
Most games start Doran's Blade + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Kraken Slayer (83,293 games).
Skill plan: Kai'Sa players max Q first and take Q at level 1.