Zyra vs Karthus JUNGLE Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Zyra

VS

Jungle

Karthus

Zyra vs Karthus

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 10, 2026

Overview

Use early pressure to disrupt Karthus's full clears and force him off camps.
Control river vision to contest Scuttle and deny his safe objective access.
Exploit Karthus's low invade resistance by coordinating early invades with lanes.

Jungle Plan

Invade Karthus early to disrupt his full clears and force him into defensive pathing.
Contest Scuttle only when your lanes can pressure first, securing river control for objectives.
Use brush control and plant zones to set up ganks and counter-ganks around mid and bot river entrances.

Danger windows

Respect Karthus's level 6 (R) global damage when engaging low-health targets or extended fights.
Avoid fighting in isolated river areas early where Karthus can kite and punish with (Q) and (W).
Beware of forced smite fights when Karthus has item or level advantages, as he can out-sustain and out-clear you.

Early game

Start with a fast clear to reach level 3 before Karthus completes his first full clear.
Prioritize early river Scuttle when nearby lanes have priority to secure vision and deny Karthus.
Avoid isolated river fights unless you have lane priority or numbers advantage to punish Karthus's vulnerability.

Power spikes

Level 3 unlocks Zyra's full kit for stronger zone control and root setups; use this to punish Karthus's low early dueling.
Level 6 ultimate enables turning fights around objectives and skirmishes; coordinate with lanes for committed all-ins.
Early item spikes that enhance clear speed and plant damage increase your ability to contest camps and objectives before Karthus scales.

Win conditions

Convert early jungle pressure and successful invades into dragon and Rift Herald control.
Use brush control and root setups to enable strong ganks and zone enemies from objectives.
Deny Karthus's scaling by forcing fights before his first major item and capitalizing on his low early dueling and invade resistance.