MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Karthus vs Zeri
What is Karthus's win rate vs Zeri?
In ADC, Karthus wins 48% against Zeri across 136 observed ranked games.
Global ranked sample: games from every region and every rank pooled together, not one server's stats. Data runs through patch 26.12; curves updated 2026-08-07.
By 15 minutes the median game has Karthus behind by 280 gold.
Karthus at 15:00
- Gold: -280
- CS: +3
- XP: +314
Typical gap to Zeri, from 136 games that reached 15:00.
Does Karthus counter Zeri?
Too close to call. Karthus sits at 48% over 136 games, so neither pick counters the other here. The lane goes to whoever wins the spots below, like the gold lead at 10:00 or staying alive until 15:00, so play for those and let the pick argument go.
How to beat Zeri as Karthus
When Karthus is ahead in gold at 10:00, this matchup runs 55% over 64 games; behind, it drops to 42% over 72.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 55% | 64 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 42% | 72 |
| First blood | 53% | 62 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 58% | 57 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 52% | 65 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 4:00; the level 6 spike lands around 7:12. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Karthus build in ADC?
Into Zeri specifically, Karthus finishes Blackfire Torch first most often: 41.4% over 58 games of this matchup.
The most-finished Karthus core is Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap: 58.3% across 949 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Doran's Ring + Health Potion + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Blackfire Torch (3,479 games).
Skill plan: Karthus players max Q first and take Q at level 1.