Talk:Karthus/@comment-62.194.141.153-20110915162238/@comment-4184629-20110915195302

This one is really all about play style and how the game is going. If you are getting jumped on constantly either from gap closers or ganks (which yes, wards help with this, but for the sake of the argument they don't exist), catalyst would provide survivability that would be needed plus restoration upon each level. The tear however gives you massive mana reserves and very good mana restoration for a cheaper price. Plus Karthus builds the charges on it with no trouble.