League of Legends: Katarina Guide

Katarina is one of the most iconic champions in League of Legends, known for her high skill ceiling and potential to dominate games when played well. Once considered too powerful in her original form, she underwent a rework that introduced a dynamic and fast-paced playstyle. Katarina remains a favorite pick for climbing the ranked ladder, thanks to her exceptional ability to snowball games and carry teams to victory.

If you master her mechanics and understand her decision-making, Katarina can become your go-to champion for dominating your opponents. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to play Katarina like a pro. Let’s dive in!

Katarina Overview

Katarina is a high-mobility melee assassin in League of Legends, known for her ability to deal devastating damage in team fights and execute combos with lightning speed. Mastering her kit is essential to dominate the game, and here’s a detailed breakdown of her abilities:

• Passive – Voracity:
Katarina’s abilities’ cooldowns are significantly reduced whenever she secures a takedown on an enemy champion. Additionally, her daggers deal AoE magic damage when picked up, making them a core part of her damage output.

• Q – Bouncing Blade:
Katarina throws a blade that bounces to up to two nearby targets before landing on the ground. The dagger marks the final location, where it can be picked up to deal AoE magic damage.

• W – Preparation:
Katarina gains a brief movement speed boost and drops a dagger at her current location. This ability helps with positioning, combos, and mobility during fights.

• E – Shunpo:
Katarina teleports to a target (enemy, ally, or dagger), dealing magic damage to nearby enemies upon arrival. This ability is her main mobility tool, allowing her to engage, reposition, or escape.

• R – Death Lotus:
Katarina channels for a short duration, throwing daggers at up to three nearby champions, dealing significant AoE damage and applying grievous wounds. This ultimate can turn the tide of a team fight if used correctly.

Katarina’s abilities synergize to create a fast-paced, high-damage playstyle that rewards precision and quick decision-making. Whether it’s capitalizing on takedowns or weaving through fights with her daggers, mastering her kit is key to climbing the ranks.

How to Play Katarina in League of Legends

Katarina is a high-risk, high-reward assassin who thrives in skirmishes and team fights by chaining together quick kills with her resets. To play her effectively, focus on positioning, timing, and understanding when to go all-in. Use her mobility to dart around the battlefield, dodging enemy crowd control while picking up daggers to maximize her damage output. Katarina excels at cleaning up fights, so wait for key enemy abilities to be used before diving in with Shunpo (E) and Death Lotus (R). Map awareness is crucial; roaming to other lanes with her high burst damage can snowball games in your favor.

Katarina Combos

Katarina’s damage comes from executing her combos efficiently by picking up daggers and resetting her abilities. Here are some essential combos:
• Basic All-In Combo:
• Q → E → W → Auto Attack → R
Use Bouncing Blade (Q) to place a dagger, Shunpo (E) onto the target to deal damage, activate Preparation (W) for another dagger, then finish with Death Lotus (R).
• Burst Combo with Reset:
• Q → W → E (to dagger) → Auto Attack → E (reset) → R
Throw your Bouncing Blade (Q), drop a dagger with W, and use E to teleport to the first dagger for AoE damage. If a takedown occurs, reset E and unleash your ultimate.
• Gap Close Combo:
• E (to dagger or minion) → W → Q → E → R
Utilize Shunpo (E) to close the distance, drop W for mobility, and follow up with Q and another E to secure your position for Death Lotus (R).

Katarina Playstyle

Katarina’s playstyle is centered around patience and punishing overextended enemies. Early game, focus on farming and poking with Bouncing Blade (Q) while avoiding unnecessary trades. Post-level 6, look for roams to snowball other lanes. Katarina thrives in chaotic team fights where her resets can shine. During team fights, don’t initiate; instead, wait for the enemy to burn their crowd control and burst abilities, then dive in to clean up. Always prioritize squishy targets like enemy ADCs and mid-laners.

Best Runes for Katarina

The most effective rune setup for Katarina leverages her high burst damage and mobility:

Primary Tree – Domination
• Electrocute: Grants burst damage when you land three quick attacks or abilities, perfect for Katarina’s combos.
• Sudden Impact: Provides bonus lethality and magic penetration after using Shunpo (E).
• Eyeball Collection: Increases AP as you secure takedowns.
• Treasure Hunter: Grants bonus gold for each unique takedown, accelerating Katarina’s snowball potential.

Secondary Tree – Precision
• Triumph: Heals you and grants bonus gold after securing takedowns.
• Legend: Tenacity: Reduces crowd control effects, crucial for Katarina’s survivability.

Best Build for Katarina

Katarina’s build revolves around amplifying her burst damage and mobility:
1. Core Items:
• Hextech Rocketbelt: Grants a dash for better initiation and magic penetration.
• Nashor’s Tooth: Boosts attack speed and ability power, synergizing with her passive.
2. Situational Items:
• Zhonya’s Hourglass: Provides survivability with its stasis active.
• Void Staff: Counters magic resist-heavy opponents.
• Rabadon’s Deathcap: Increases AP significantly for maximum damage.
3. Boots:
• Sorcerer’s Shoes: Boosts magic penetration to amplify her burst.

By following these tips and optimizing Katarina’s combos, playstyle, and build, you’ll be ready to dominate games and climb the ranks with this versatile and deadly assassin.

Best Champions to Pair with Katarina

• Amumu (Jungle)

Amumu’s Curse of the Sad Mummy (R) is a game-changer for Katarina. The area-wide stun gives Katarina the perfect opportunity to jump into the enemy team and unleash Death Lotus (R) without interruption. His consistent crowd control and tankiness make him one of the best junglers to pair with Katarina.

• Malphite (Top)

Malphite’s Unstoppable Force (R) provides Katarina with an ideal engage tool, knocking up multiple enemies and giving her a clean window to execute her combo. His durability also allows him to soak damage while Katarina focuses on dishing it out.

• Galio (Mid/Support)

Galio’s Hero’s Entrance (R) shields Katarina and disrupts enemies, providing an excellent follow-up or counter-engage. His knock-up and crowd control abilities make him a perfect companion for Katarina’s aggressive playstyle.

• Leona (Support)

Leona’s Solar Flare (R) and other lockdown abilities make her an incredible support for Katarina. Her crowd control ensures that enemies stay still long enough for Katarina to jump in and deal devastating damage.

• Alistar (Support)

Alistar’s Pulverize (Q) and Headbutt (W) provide fantastic disruption, setting up Katarina’s abilities perfectly. His tankiness and peel capabilities also help protect Katarina during fights, allowing her to focus on dealing damage.

• Sejuani (Jungle)

Sejuani’s Glacial Prison (R) is a powerful engage tool that immobilizes multiple enemies. This synergy allows Katarina to dive into fights confidently and execute her resets. Sejuani’s durability also makes her a strong frontliner for the team.

• Yuumi (Support)

Yuumi’s Final Chapter (R) roots enemies in place, giving Katarina the perfect opportunity to unleash her ultimate. Additionally, Yuumi’s healing, shields, and mobility enhance Katarina’s survivability, making her an even bigger threat in team fights.

• Jarvan IV (Jungle)

Jarvan IV’s Cataclysm (R) traps enemies in a small area, creating an ideal setup for Katarina’s Death Lotus (R). His knock-ups and engage potential with Demacian Standard (E) and Dragon Strike (Q) combo ensure that Katarina can clean up fights effectively.

• Rakan (Support)

Rakan’s The Quickness (R) charms multiple enemies, providing Katarina with the crowd control she needs to go all-in. His mobility and shielding capabilities also make him a fantastic support for Katarina’s aggressive playstyle.

• Orianna (Mid/Support)

Orianna’s Command: Shockwave (R) pulls enemies together, creating the perfect opportunity for Katarina to dive in with her full combo. The shield from Command: Protect (E) also boosts Katarina’s survivability in risky engages.

Conclusion

Mastering Katarina in League of Legends requires precision, adaptability, and patience. As a high-risk, high-reward assassin, she can dominate team fights and snowball games with her resets and exceptional mobility. Understanding her abilities, perfecting her combos, and playing strategically to capitalize on opportunities are key to unlocking her full potential. Pair that with the right runes and build, and Katarina becomes an unstoppable force in Summoner’s Rift.

With practice and experience, you’ll find yourself climbing the ranks with Katarina’s flashy and rewarding playstyle. Now that you’re equipped with this guide, it’s time to step onto the Rift and show your enemies why Katarina is one of the most feared champions in League of Legends.