Boards›Gameplay

A couple tips for anyone getting into Katarina.

3ofGot40ve··29 votes·14,207 views

I have been playing Kat for a while and know her well. Here are some tips for anyone new to her!

http://www.auplod.com/u/dlouap754c5.jpeg

Tip 1: Using your E (Shunpo) for trading.

 Often times you are going to verse someone in lane with significantly strong skill shots (e.g. ![Yasuo](https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.20.1/img/champion/Yasuo.png)  tornado, ![Nidalee](https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.20.1/img/champion/Nidalee.png)  spear, ![Diana](https://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/16.20.1/img/champion/Diana.png) crescent, etc.) It is important that you time your trades correctly so you can come out on top despite her weak laning phase. One thing I like to do as Kat is farm passively and safely until the enemy laner decides to trade. For example, If I am vs Nidalee, my main goal is to avoid her spear. If she throws one out at you, use your E to fly on top of them. This allows you to dodge her spear (Negating most of her damage) and also begin dealing some damage. Once you are on them you can finish up with a Q - W combo and use the movespeed to run away. I would be careful of using this when you are unaware of where their jungler is at it can set you up for a gank and not give you a way to escape.
 Another way you can use her E is for poking safely. You are going to be poking with your Q (Bouncing blades) constantly, and most people will back up a bit to avoid you from activating the mark. Although you can use this as a zone technique, you can also use it to your advantage trade wise. After throwing your Q at an enemy, back up a bit. Most people will see you backing up and inch forward to avoid missing farm. If you try to move up to shunpo them, they will probably back up before you can do anything. A good way to activate your mark safely is to E on to a minion near them and then use your W. It is unexpected and effective. Use your movespeed to avoid skill shots and run away.

Tip 2: Teamfighting.

 So many times I see new/inexperienced Katarina players team fight incorrectly. Timing is extremely important with kat as it is one of your only obstacles. The main problem I see with some Kat players is channeling their ult to long and missing out on a lot of free kills. As we all know, you can walk out of kats ult range and live if she used her E to engage. It is important to remember Kats ult is mainly used to get 1 kill and then finish the rest with your e - w combo. Don't keep channeling the whole fight, just enough to get them low so you can finish them off with your shunpo spin. Because there is a high chance of your ult getting canceled, it is crucial to remember this.

Please feel free to ask questions below, I know enough about her to answer them (whether it be itemization or other game mechanics.)

Thanks for reading!

http://www.auplod.com/u/uopald75307.png

87 Comments

RiotRiot Koalifier18 votes

When the enemy Katarina is doing well: http://imgur.com/z8bDchi.gif[/img] When I'm doing well as Katarina: http://i.imgur.com/mKO8klk.gif[/img]

3ofGot40ve1 votes

[deleted]

RiotRiot Koalifier14 votes

I don't know how to links

RiotRiot Koalifier19 votes

I'm so ashamed I spent like 10 minutes trying to find the perfect gifs

3ofGot40ve7 votes

It happens to the best of us ;(

http://www.auplod.com/u/udaolp7555b.png

Sohleks1 votes

Add

[/img]

at the very end of the url; no space

I've used these boards a lot.

RiotRiot Koalifier6 votes

Neat!! (fixed the original)

Troll for Trump4 votes

Maybe make a stickied post on how to use these type of commands?

Saianna1 votes

Hello there!

I'd like to ask you, Rioter, if you could aid ARAM-players.

We are looking for someone who'd fix champion pool. Right now lots of people abuse random factor of ARAM which really ruins ALL RANDOM experience.

I know you might not be responsible for this mode, but it's by far easier for a Rioter to act and do something than players. Maybe you know someone who could help us?

Melledoneus4 votes

This isn't the right place to discuss that. Make a separate thread and if Riot has anything to say about it, they will reply.

Saianna1 votes

Rioters avoid ALL threads about ARAM. So i'm bringing this matter to them. Thus I do not feel like posting it in wrong spot. If there is Rioter, then place's good.

Melledoneus2 votes

Then don't go posting in other people's threads when you know Riot won't answer. They're not your on-demand customer service provider, they're workers that can choose to answer on the boards based on what info they have.

If they're avoiding ARAM threads, there's nothing to discuss. End of story.

Saianna1 votes

Does it really annoy you THAT much? Dude.. don't be nazi. Ok?

It's not like you HAVE TO read it sigh...

Melledoneus2 votes

Nazi is not a character trait, it's a political group/party.

Saianna1 votes

political group with distinctive traits.

Melledoneus3 votes

I'm sorry if I have displayed a distinct belief in scientific racism, support of fascism, and antisemitism. /s

Baron of Bread1 votes

It displays the gifs if you click on them.

3ofGot40ve3 votes

His original comment had no links. Ill delete my comment so there isn't anymore confusion.

RiotRiot Koalifier8 votes

It's true, it had no links because I'm very bad at internet

3ofGot40ve2 votes

Maybe your keyboard is break?

RiotRiot Koalifier6 votes

After playing Katarina? Yes.

Sahn Uzal4 votes

I don't know if you noted it, I didn't really read the thread because I'm not trying to learn kata, but your E gives damage reduction. For some reason almost nobody knows that... summoner 31

3ofGot40ve4 votes

Im aware, it reduces dmg for 1.5 seconds. If someone like leblanc does her q - r combo often times i will e to anything near me to avoid getting chunked.

Sahn Uzal2 votes

Why are we getting downvoted again? o.0 summoner 31

3ofGot40ve3 votes

I realized every comment I made in here was downvoted xD

If it was you who upvoted them back, thank you.

Knoyle3 votes

Thank you. I actually am at the moment trying to learn Katarina.

3ofGot40ve4 votes

Your welcome : ) If you have any questions let me know and Ill answer in full detail!

invisiblecat13 votes

I agree so much with the new Katarina player doing well in 1v1's mid-late game, and say that the champion is broken, but when it comes to a 5v5 teamfight they try to use the same combo as in a 1v1 fight to kill the entire enemy team. The combos, and engage times is what make Katarina very diffcult to play, engaging when that enemy team and when they have no cc up, and getting a Pentakill does not make her OP, it is either they had a bad team comp to go against a Katarina, or they had to use their cc in order to ward off the rest of her team.

invisiblecat11 votes

Also any tips for me in build paths, since I sometimes struggle, I like to rush Sorc Shoes into Ludiens, Zhonyas, or Abbysal (I get there 3 in the order that makes the most sense). I then go for Void Staff, and the Rabadons. I have no idea what to get last ;c

3ofGot40ve2 votes

Ill just make a long build guide for you considering the Login wait time on league is 3 hours and counting.

Starting items:

Katarina has a lot of different paths that work on her in terms of starting items and what you rush. There are 3 main routes you can use.

Route 1:

item 1001 + item 2003 x4

This start is good vs enemy champions with skill shots or if you plan on doing early roams. You get the movement speed to dodge abilities and also have a lot of sustain with your pots if you can dodge them all. I go this start when I am verse:

Lux to dodge skills Ziggs to dodge skills Ahri to dodge skills Akali early roaming Viktor dodging laser / roaming early Nidalee dodging skills Karthus dodging skills TwistedFate dodging skills / roaming early Ezreal dodging skills

Route 2:

item 1054 +item 2003 x1

This start works wonders when you have to verse a hard counter that can harass a lot. It also allows you to get up close and cc a bit more then you normally would early on. I go this start when I am verse:

Diana Counter Annie Counter / Harass Anivia Harass Heimerdinger Counter / Harass Ezreal Harass Leblanc Harass Lissandra Counter Malzahar Counter Morgana Harass Vladimir Harass Kassadin Counter / Harass Fizz He's fizz.

Route 3:

item 1029 + item 2003 x4

This start helps vs AD Laners. It also gives you quite a few pots so you can play a bit more aggressive against them. I bring this against:

Riven Talon Yasuo Zed

Early Game Itemization:

Kat has 3 Items that she rushes 99% of the time. They are item 3285 item 3157 and item 3001 . Ill run through the situations for you.

item 3285: You rush this a lot. However its prime to get if you are ahead. If you see that you are pushing them into their tower and winning trades easily, Rush item 3285. If you see a lot of roaming opportunities, rush item 3285.

Rush item 3157 If you are vs AD Laner. That's all you would normally get this for. Otherwise get it second.

Rush item 3001 if you are struggling vs an AP Laner. It gives you some good AP and MR. Good vs people like Diana or annie.

After your first item or so, her build stays the same. If you don't get Zhonya's first, get it second for fights. In the end, your build should looking something like this, in purchase order:

item 3285 item 3020 item 3157 item 3089 item 3135 and item 3151 , item 3116 , item 3001 , or item 3026

If you have anymore questions let me know :)

HadesBlades1 votes

Fizz isnt to bad since you can dodge his ult and all in abilities. Maxing W is what I usually do so when he Qs in and tries to land ult I have a faster escape with E and the movement speed. And honestly if you wanted to you can just use cloth 4 vs fizz since he has a powerful auto. Not saying fizz straight up wins or losses that lane but I think it is more fairly playable when you realize his cooldowns and harass with W

LoquaciousKumqat2 votes

What do you suggest for items? I think going straight damage leaves me way too squishy, and a Rylai's is sometimes not enough. Also, I've been experimenting with trying to get 40% cdr. Yeah, kills are great but sometimes I feel useless with the cooldowns, and like 2 second Es feel so nice.

3ofGot40ve4 votes

Because you are an assassin you want to go full damage. If you really need it, you can pick up a GA later in the game.

Normally, your first item is almost always item 3285, item 3157, or item 3001 if you are behind vs someone like Diana or leblanc or what have you. Her items stay consistent most of them time. By the end of the game, My build is almost always

item 3020 item 3157 item 3285 item 3135 item 3089 and item 3001 or item 3151 I might even get item 3140 early on if im vs someone like Malzahar.

Her itemization in general doesn't change to much, its just what your building first that changes the most.

There are 2 reasons why I don't think CDR Kat is viable:

  1. Most of the AP CDR items have mana regen stats that makes up their build path. This is a major gold loss for her considering the loss of stats and lack of AP some of the items have.

  2. If your timing is on point there is literally no need for cdr. I see what you mean by how it would be nice to ability spam but you just don't need it if you can team fight/trade effectively. Overall I think its a bit of a waste of gold and resources and just not worth it.

kills are great but sometimes I feel useless with the cooldowns, and like 2 second Es feel so nice.

Your right, she does have long cooldowns, but its not like she is her teams source of waveclear. Its all about timing things correctly. 2 Second E cooldown is nice, but what about 5 E's in half a second?

Know what I mean?

Unstoppable Monk1 votes

Muh rune / masteries for Katarina ?

3ofGot40ve3 votes

Runes:

Katarina's runes are pretty standard. If you only Have 2 Rune pages I would suggest taking the basic AP Page.

x3 Ability Power Quints x9 Magic Pen Marks x9 Armor Seals x9 Magic Resist Glyphs

If you have more (I Personally have 9) It is best to take at least 2 or 3 separate ones for her based on matchups.

A good page when against AD Laners such as Yasuo or Zed is:

x3 Ability Power Quints x9 Magic Pen Marks x9 Armor Seals x9 Ability Power Glyphs

This page gives you a lot of AP and standard armor which makes for better trades. Also there is no need for the MR Glyphs against an AD champion. If they have a lot of ap in other parts of the map (e.g if they have liss top, nid jung, and sona sup) you might want to pack some Scaling MR Glyphs, but its up to you.

When vs AP Midlaners such as Ahri or Leblanc, try to bring this page:

x3 AP Quints x9 Magic Pen Marks x9 Scaling Health Seals x9 Magic Resist Glyphs

With this you can get 200+ Health at level 18 and also stay sturdy in early trades.

Masteries:

With the new keystone masteries, Kat has a couple of options. Both DFT and Thunderlord's are viable. I like to take DFT if I know I am versing a counter and wont be helping my team much till mid/late game. Also the DoT it offers allows for more efficient poking. However, if you are confident in your ability to trade, Thunderlord's Decree is a nice option as it gives you even more burst. I just don't like to take this verse counters like Diana when I know I cant trade wither her, especially when Katarina is melee. Other then keystones, masteries like Assassin, Merciless, and Bounty Hunter are essential on her as it increases your damage output.

I hope this was helpful, feel free to ask anything else.

http://www.auplod.com/u/uopald75307.png

The Deckowner1 votes

get flat cdr runes and spam q in lane, easy.

invisiblecat19 votes

CDR is bad on Katarina, because it makes her very weak late game, since you could really use the magic pen in fights, while Spamming Q will get you ganked, since it pushes out lanes very quickly, and without Ludiens the damage is weak compared to other assassins

The Deckowner1 votes

that is why i said get it on runes.

invisiblecat13 votes

But you should take magic pen in the runes

The Deckowner1 votes

15%cdr vs 15flat magic pen?

invisiblecat12 votes

Kata needs more damage to add to her nice burst, the cdr just gives her more poke, and sustained damage, which is what she does not need

The Deckowner1 votes

the game does not consist with 1 teamfight.

15% cdr can help poking, farming, escaping, chasing etc.

15 magic pen can do 60 more dmg.

the cdr can help a lot during laning becausw if offers safer cs and waveclear.

if the enemy has abit of mr then u dont really need the little bit of magic pen, if they have a lot of mr the little bit of magic pen wont do much u will need a magic pen rod.

invisiblecat14 votes

The more Pen you get the close you will get to doing true damage. The CDR is useless 1.) You get resets 2.) Pen is more valuable 3.) Kata needs burst, NOT poke, and waveclear

The Deckowner1 votes
  1. often getting 1 kill is not enough for ult to reset, this is when cdr kicks in 2.this is not even a point, its like saying "mcdonald is better than kfc" and ur prove is "mcdonald is better" 3.she has a weak laning phrase and cdr helps a lot during laning. You need to understand a game is not simply about fully performing the style of a champion. for example you will need to builditem 3157 when you are facing Zed to survive altho it doesnt give u as puch burst as a item 3285. another example is you need to build item 3001 against Annie not because that item makes your burst strong but because you need it to go through the situation. and for kat 80% of the situation is her lane will not allow her to walk up freely to cs and cdr will help csing with q.
invisiblecat12 votes

That is in lane, where as Kata will always fall weak to other champions, the only time she truely matters is in teamfights, where she will pickup several resets so CDR is useless compared to more damage, and in 1v1 mid-late game Situations where the cdr isn't as effective as the bonus 60 or so damage you will be doing to the target since it is all about burst

ThxLTU1 votes

Kata is really shit in early game but she is very strong after level 6 and she really useless if they stack up some mmr. But if i play vs ap mid i build item 3001 item 3020 item 3285 item 3157 and i don't have time for item 3135 or item 3151. BTW u should build item 3140 vs Warwick or Malzahar. In teamfights u should wait for tank 2 engage ant then jump on mid or adc but if u can't reach adc or mid just jump on squshiest champ. And u should get resets and your penta :) But sometimes i engage first. Just q e w and item 3157 and your team should kill someone so then u can 1shot them team cuz they should use their cc on your teammates and u can easily kill their entire team. But if u feed as f*ck u can just q e w thunder lord their adc or mid and just ward jump away. Masterys 21/9.

Runes: 26Ap,7,8Mp,216Hp. Kata impossible vs Kassadin Chogath x3 AP Quints Kata bad vs Malzahar Diana Annie Galio Lissandra x9 Magic Pen Marks Kata average vs Zed Ekko Fizz Lux Lulu x9 Scaling Health Seals Kata easy all anothere champs :D x9 Ability Power Glyphs But if you can play with her u can win vs all mid laner expect Kassadin u just can't win vs this champ im 166 kata in the world and i can't win vs Kassadin no matter what i build :/

3ofGot40ve2 votes

But sometimes i engage first. Just q e w and and your team should kill someone so then u can 1shot them team cuz they should use their cc on your teammates and u can easily kill their entire team. But if u feed as f*ck u can just q e w thunder lord their adc or mid and just ward jump away.

This can be a good tactic if you have no engage, it can throw the enmy off guard and lead your team to victory but is quite risky. 1 stun could be the end of you, and then that leaves a 5v4 and your team is down a carry.

The Taco Kat1 votes

Kassadin is overall a rough lane. Whenever you face a rough laner, try taking teleport. This provides more pressure on the map and you can get fed off of bot lane ganks much easier. You will have to adapt to no ignite, but the payoff is worth it in my opinion. A good way to trade Kassadin early on is by baiting him to use his Q on you, then once the shield is gone, Q him. It's not much damage, but it will be of use to you whilst trying to poke.

You could also try some flat magic resist glyphs versus those two, although I don't prefer it.

The Taco Kat1 votes

As one Kat main to another, how do you feel about the Zed matchup? I've struggled a bit more recently while facing him, although I know to immediately E away once his ult animation finishes. He wasn't too much of a problem up until ~50% armor penetration was the norm.

3ofGot40ve2 votes

although I know to immediately E away once his ult animation finishes. He wasn't too much of a problem up until ~50% armor penetration was the norm.

That's how I feel. Its getting to the point now where your last resort is just poking him. You have to out shine him in teamfights, I feel kat does a little better at deleting considering she has multi target burst. In lane though, you have to know when to roam because you cant really fight him alone.

More from Gameplay

3 Refunds per season, upvote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay764 comments
7,167
votes
3 Refunds per season, upvote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay156 comments
3,510
votes
UPVOTE FOR URF
Gameplay606 comments
2,440
votes
Yes plz.
Gameplay456 comments
1,721
votes
3 Refunds per season, up vote if you want 3 refunds per season.
Gameplay114 comments
1,716
votes
When is ANYONE at riot going to address the awful new player experience?
Gameplay634 comments
1,383
votes

More by 3ofGot40ve

Add an option somewhere in client or store to view all the skins you own.
Gameplay57 comments
188
votes
Can we ban new champions from being played in ranked untill a few days after their release?
Gameplay101 comments
179
votes
"If you want vision, buy a sightstone yourself." - Lux Support
Gameplay259 comments
165
votes
As a Fizz main, I have come to realize how unfair Playful/trickster is.
Gameplay178 comments
157
votes
My Aunt has a good point...
Gameplay135 comments
156
votes
Can we just destroy this whole "Tank Assassin" thing please?
Gameplay154 comments
133
votes