Nasus vs Karthus JUNGLE Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Nasus

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Jungle

Karthus

Nasus vs Karthus

Updated Jun 6, 2026

Overview

Nasus must disrupt Karthus's fast full clears by invading early and denying his jungle tempo before level 6.
Prioritize river vision and Scuttle control to limit Karthus's safe farming and reduce his objective influence.

Jungle Plan

Use early invades to disrupt Karthus's clear and force him onto less optimal camps, denying his farming tempo.
Secure side Scuttles and vision to enable safer counter-jungling and objective setups.
Pressure Karthus before level 6 and first item spikes to delay his scaling, then shift to side-lane pressure once you have stacks.

Danger windows

Early game before stacks when Karthus can full clear quickly; avoid isolated river fights and overextended invades.
Forced smite fights around early dragons or Herald can be risky due to Karthus's sustained damage and global ultimate.
Post-level 6, vulnerable if caught without (R) active or if lanes lack priority to support counter-ganks.

Early game

Start with a clear path that hits level 3 quickly and look to invade Karthus's jungle to force him off camps before his first full clear.
Only contest the first Scuttle Crab if nearby lanes have priority to support; otherwise, avoid risky river fights.
Avoid prolonged early duels since Nasus's low mobility and early dueling are weaker than Karthus's clear speed and range.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) grants extended durability and threat; use it to hold ground in skirmishes Karthus tries to extend.
High (Q) stacks turn Nasus into a potent duelist able to punish Karthus's immobility and lack of early pressure.
Respect Karthus's level 6 (R) and first AP item spike by avoiding low-health fights and maintaining vision control.

Win conditions

Convert early jungle pressure into vision control and repeated invades to deny Karthus farm and delay his item spikes.
Use side-lane priority after stacking (Q) and activating (R) to force duels where your durability and damage excel.
Secure early dragons and Herald with vision and lane pressure to leverage your scaling into teamfight and objective control.