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Overview

Role Plan

Danger Windows

Early Game

Power Spikes

Win Conditions

Katarina vs Naafiri MID Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Champion

Opponent

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Katarina

VS

Mid

Naafiri

Katarina vs Naafiri

Updated May 31, 2026

Overview

Katarina has low early agency and lane pressure, so focus on surviving early poke and avoiding forced all-ins from Naafiri.
Manage wave state to create volatile skirmishes where dagger resets and cooldown punishes are possible.

Trading pattern

Use Q and W to set daggers, then trade with E only when Naafiri's W or R are on cooldown or after she uses her poke.
Punish Naafiri if she commits W into crowd control or misses Q poke.
Avoid committing fully without dagger resets or when Naafiri's pack (R) is active and target is isolated.

Danger windows

Naafiri is dangerous when her Q poke has lowered your health before she commits W.
Avoid engaging when Naafiri's R is active and the pack chase is enabled.
Be cautious if Naafiri's W is available and unblocked, as it is a committed dash that can punish your E engage.

Early game

Avoid taking Naafiri Q poke before level 3; wait for level 3 to unlock dagger trades safely.
Respect Naafiri W engage and only trade when it is down or blocked.
Preserve health to enable roams or skirmishes after handling the wave.

Power spikes

Katarina's level 3 unlocks Q-W-E dagger combos for burst trades.
Katarina's level 6 R is a major all-in threat if Naafiri's crowd control or mobility is down.
Naafiri's level 6 R enhances chase and burst, so respect it to avoid lethal all-ins.

Win conditions

Survive early poke and wait for Naafiri to spend W or R before engaging dagger trades.
Use dagger resets and cooldown windows to chain skirmishes and snowball kills.
Control the wave to enable roams or side skirmishes where your resets and mobility excel.

Tip: For Katarina vs Naafiri, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Mid lane check.

Updated May 31, 2026New matchup