Advices for Karma`s itemization on solo lane

BoxOfWonders·2/4/2019, 7:23:46 PM·1 votes·1,394 views

Through playing diferent mage I still cant figure out why Ludens Echo is considered basicallly mandatory 1st item for mages. To be frankly -- I dont like it. It doesnt seem impactful to me. What are your advices on a 1st item for solo lane mages? Except for GLP Hextexh and Echoes?
What are your thoughts on Rod og Ages in a losing/even match as a 1st item? And about Archangel`s Staff on Karma as 1st item?
A number of mages has a passive that interacts with AA (Orianna, Ziggs, Lux, Karma), but I have never found a serious guide or build where such passives would have an attention, like building: Wits End, Nashors, Lichbane. How do you think -- are those "AA-interactive" items viable for Karma.

6 Comments

Anu3isII2/4/2019, 9:56:27 PM2 votes

Karma is pretty different from most mages and her buildpath really depends on your play style. She is versatile tho, so she has lots of different builds for different purposes and match-ups, having to adapt to every situation for using her effectively.

If you want to play as a support, item 3174 item 3504 are great first items (Athene's vs AP and Ardent vs AD). item 3157 is great if you have issues vs AD.

If you want to play her as a poke Mage, I would argue that item 3020 item 3802 item 3916 are a very deadly combination, making her one of the best bullies (but it falls off really bad, so you have to press your advantage to finish the game). Generally, with this build you should consider item 3100 .

item 3027 item 3003 are very slow items and tend to throw away your Early Game damage for a somewhat better Late Game. RoA is good if you play Tank Karma, but weak otherwise.

Wit's End and Nashor's aren't that great on her. The only mage build I have seen using Nashor's is a Lux with item 3027 rush and item 3115 second (I heard it had some succes in Korea). It may work on Karma, but idk.

HP Crookshanks2/4/2019, 7:31:15 PM1 votes

I think item 3285 as first item is the best choice for Karma . Good AP and 20% CDR is really useful for Karma. Also you can one shot ranged minions with one Q thanks to it's passive.

item 3027 takes too much time to gain stacks and gives no CDR.

WhyEvenBotherFR2/4/2019, 7:32:04 PM1 votes

No comment
I'd build RoA if losing. Gives tanky stats and scales which is what I'm hoping for in a losing match anyways. Archangel's provides more mana and an extra shield but not sure that it is necessary.
I've seen nashor's with an orianna before but as for the rest I think they rely on the extra poke and mana from echoes to build anything else.

Syrile2/4/2019, 7:42:18 PM1 votes

Luden's Echo provides everything you need as a starting item, especially in this meta. The meta is too burst-heavy for Rod of Ages, thus why even the champions that clinged to it (Ryze, Cass, etc) have dropped it. Luden's provides 20% CDR, helps tremendously with mana, and extends your poke/burst damage with the passive. It is easily the best choice of items. Most of the others need a buff to keep up. Archangel's Staff is fine as an alternative, but you need a spammable spell. It can work with Karma somewhat but Luden's with her Q (especially Ult-Q) is really good. Her shield is strong enough that you do not really need the Angel's staff and with her healing from Ult-Root, she should be fine. GLP is underwhelming to me. Certain mages can go Hextech Protobelt however since it is cheaper and does a lot if you want to close on them. Karma might be able to use that but it feels like a waste with the movement speed and you would miss out on a lot of poke and some CDR with Luden's.

Her auto-attack effect goes really good with Kleptomancy. You can use Iceborn Gauntlet as a first item if you want to focus on that and are laning against an AD champion especially. This is more true for Karma top than mid but should be okay against some assassins, assuming you can live through the burst anyway. It tends to work better on melee champions you can poke a lot with autos though without risk of getting burst out.

Lich Bane might be okay as well as the full AP/Attack Speed build if you want to risk it. The problem here is that you will be really squishy in a meta that is full of ridiculous levels of burst damage and you are likely to just get crushed under the burst damage instead of using Karma's real strengths. In the right comp and against the right team, it does work though. I have tried it out but I do not recommend it except in limited circumstances.

Tank Karma tends to be more viable, or a full AP, or even AP with Ardent Censor (assuming you have a decent ADC). Luden's into Ardent, Redemption, etc is decent as well.

Death by Glamour2/4/2019, 8:16:21 PM1 votes

First off look at what your role is going to be in the team, will you be a damage dealer or a support for a carry jungler and/or toplaner (yi and jax) for example.

ludens is fine and dandy if you will be a damage dealer but as a second support its wasted gold, item 3174 item 3504 would be the way to go

jocomotion2/5/2019, 4:58:18 AM1 votes

With Karma it really depends on your playstyle. Her kit is so generalist mage that you could go literally anything AP you want and have it work. item 3285 is recommended because of the high base damage her Q offers, along with the 20% CDR and ludens proc to increase waveclear, but you could also take item 3027 and be a pseudo-tank battlemage in the mid game.

item 3030 makes catching targets even easier, item 3504 turns you into a supportive mid laner, item 3040 makes it so you can poke forever.

I recommend you experiment. Honestly as long as you have 40% CDR, whatever AP build you come up with could work on Karma.