Want to learn to play Karma in League of Legends?
Karma is one of League of Legends’ most flexible champions. She’s a force across all lanes, meaning you can readjust your role depending on the situation and what your team needs. No matter what lane you take, Karma will likely perform well.
If you’re looking for a do it all champion, Karma should be on top of your list.
Karma did not receive a warm welcome when she was released in League of Legends. However, her Season 3 rework, which stands to this day, allowed her to jump into the meta.
If you are picking up Karma for the first time or a Mastery 7 veteran looking for more knowledge about the Enlightened One, we’ve got you covered.
Today, we will show you how to play Karma in League of Legends.
Let’s get started!
Abilities
Karma’s kit is about throwing out her spells to keep enemies at a distance and keep your carries alive. Despite having a full set, she really only has access to three abilities. Her ultimate transforms her kit into super-powered versions.
Gathering Fire (Passive)
INNATE – Karma reduces Mantra’s cooldown by 5 seconds for every enemy champion she damages with an ability.
Inner Flame (Q)
ACTIVE – Karma releases a burst of spiritual energy in the target direction and detonates on the first enemy it hits. This deals magic damage to all opponents within the area and slows them by 35% for 1.5 seconds.
Soul Flare
ACTIVE (MANTRA) – Inner Flame’s missile is wider and detonates once it reaches its maximum range, even if it doesn’t hit enemies. This also deals increased magic damage to enemies within the area.
A field lingers around the detonation for 1.5 seconds, slowing enemies within by 50%, after which it explodes, inflicting magic damage to enemies within the area.
Focused Resolve (W)
ACTIVE – Karma exerts her will over the target champion or monster, dealing them magic damage and forming a Karma Focused tether between Karma and the target for 2 seconds. During this duration, the target is revealed on the map.
If the tether is not broken by the end of its duration, the target enemy is dealt the same magic damage again and rooted for a duration. Enemy affected is also revealed for the duration.
Renewal
ACTIVE (MANTRA) – Focused Resolve’s root duration is increased and heals Karma for 20% (+1% per 100 AP) of her missing HP on-cast and once more when the tether is not broken at the end of its duration or when the tethered target dies.
Inspire (E)
Karma summons a protective shield that absorbs incoming damage and increases the movement speed of the protected ally.
MANTRA – Energy radiates out from Karma’s target, strengthening the initial shield, and applies Inspire to nearby allies.
Mantra (R)
Karma empowers her next ability to deal additional effects on enemies. Mantra is available at level 1 and does not require a skill point.
Karma Gameplay
Karma has a lot of poke damage with her Inner Flame (Q), which comes in handy in the early game. She also has crowd control with her Focused Resolve (W) that can help you sustain and escape unexpected ganks.
In the early game, you can take advantage of the brushes to land free poke to your enemies, allowing you to assert dominance in the lane.
Unfortunately, since Karma already has her ultimate at the start of the game, she won’t have a significant power spike at level 6.
To compensate for that, you should play the laning phase aggressively to delay your enemy’s level and item.
In the mid-game, Karma will still rely on her poke damage and utility during team fights. This makes her very potent when it comes to tackling enemies who stay grouped up. Upon reaching level 11, Karma’s first ability should be maxed out.
However, depending on what ability you max out, Karma can either be dealing tons of burst damage to enemies or effectively peeling for her carries.
Besides having a strong early game, Karma also shines during mid-game fights with the ability to keep her entire team safe at any moment while dealing consistent damage to enemy champions.
In the late game, Karma might not be as dominant, but she can still perform decently on team fights as her kit gives a lot of utility and damage.
With this, you should stay grouped up with your team in the late game to avoid getting picked off by enemy champions. Dying in crucial stages of the game will put your team at a disadvantage. This also makes it easier for the enemy team to secure objectives like turrets and baron.
Runes
Sorcery
Inspiration
Bonus
- +10% Attack Speed
- +9 Adaptive (5.4 AD or 9 AP)
- +6 Armor
Item Build
- Spellthief’s Edge
- Shurelya’s Battlesong
- Ionian Boots of Lucidity
- Chemtech Putrifier
- Ardent Censer
- Zhonya’s Hourglass
That wraps up our guide on how to play Karma in League of Legends. For your questions and other concerns, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help.
