Talk:Karthus/@comment-93.186.16.212-20120904052641/@comment-109.95.150.200-20120904132948

In 1vs1, you want to fight only if the enemy is low or you are absolutely sure you can take him down before he will take down you. Karthus has no nuke abilities, he is all about AoE sustained DPS. So generally you should just farm in lane, ocassionaly harrasing with Q (practice helps much here) and helping other lanes with R (also). If you decided you DO want to fight, place W on top the enemy and chase him with Q (try to make them hit a single target), and, if you get close, turn on E.

5vs5 is when you really shine. First move should be always W - it is your main initiation, counterinitiation, zone and shredding (RIP the old wall) tool. Then go in with E active and spam Q around, focusing the enemy carry if possible. Unlike most mages, you actually want to stay in the middle of the fight to deal your full dmg. Don`t kamikaze, but also don`t be too afraid of dying - the passive guarantees you enough time to decimate them, providing you actually died among the enemies, not far away from them. Use R only if you are sure they cannot interrupt you - i.e. they have all escaped from tf or you are simply dead and thus untouchable.

Typical build (may change in specific situations): Sorcs, RoA, Rabadon, Zhonya, Void Staff, WoTa/Rylai/Abyssal.