MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Zed vs Karthus
What is Zed's win rate vs Karthus?
In Mid, Zed wins 56% against Karthus across 71 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 Zed ahead by 666 gold.
Zed at 15:00
- Gold: +666
- CS: +4
- XP: +518
Typical gap to Karthus, from 71 games that reached 15:00.
Does Zed counter Karthus?
Too close to call. Zed sits at 56% over 71 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 Karthus as Zed
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 66% | 47 |
| First blood | 62% | 47 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 68% | 41 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 6:02; the level 6 spike lands around 5:21. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Zed build in Mid?
The most-finished Zed core is Voltaic Cyclosword, Axiom Arc, Serylda's Grudge: 56.0% across 3,547 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Long Sword + Health Potion + Health Potion + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Voltaic Cyclosword (27,280 games).
Skill plan: Zed players max Q first and take Q at level 1.