Ekko vs Karthus JUNGLE Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Ekko

VS

Jungle

Karthus

Ekko vs Karthus

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Prioritize disrupting Karthus's full clears by invading early and forcing him off camps before level 6.
Use Ekko's mobility and (R) to avoid extended fights and punish Karthus's lack of early dueling power.
Focus on tempo control through efficient clears and river vision to contest objectives and Scuttle Crabs.

Jungle Plan

Invade Karthus early to disrupt his full clear before he hits level 6 and gains (R) global influence.
Use fogged (W) to control river entrances before dragon or Void Grubs and set up picks or zoning.
Prioritize objective control after level 6 by leveraging (W) stun and (R) reset to secure picks and force fights on your terms.

Danger windows

Avoid early invades before level 3 when Ekko is less durable and Karthus can punish extended fights.
Be cautious contesting river fights or objectives if lanes lack priority, as Karthus can capitalize on isolated skirmishes.
Respect (R) after fights start, as it can finish off low-health allies and turn the tide of objectives.

Early game

Start with a full clear or five-camp clear into a lane with strong gank setup to maximize early pressure.
Avoid early river fights unless nearby lanes have priority to support counter-ganks.
Contest first Scuttle only if lanes can move first; otherwise, focus on safe clears and tracking Karthus's path.

Power spikes

Level 3 unlocks (Q)-(W)-(E) combo, enabling strong short trades and pick potential; use this to pressure camps and lanes.
Level 6 (R) grants Ekko a safety net and burst reset; track its availability to commit to fights or disengage safely.
First completed AP item boosts Ekko's damage and trade reliability; increase aggression and objective pressure after this spike.

Win conditions

Convert early invade pressure into sustained counter-jungling to deny Karthus's scaling and force him onto the back foot.
Use (W) and (R) to set up picks around dragon and Rift Herald, leveraging Ekko's burst to secure objectives.
Maintain tempo advantage by cycling camps efficiently and ganking lanes with priority to snowball leads and control the map.