League of Legends S12: Katarina Mid Build Guide

From runes to items, gameplay tips amd more, we've put together a guide to help you master playing Katarina in the midlane in League of Legends.

Be mindful that there are several ways to build and play a champion, and you'll need to be adaptable as the game and the enemy team progress.

That said, this guide is a good starting point to helping you get to grips with the champion and making an impact in your games.

Runes

Core Items

Nashor's Tooth

3000 Gold

Hextech Rocketbelt

3200 Gold

Build

Nashor's Tooth is a strong item on Katarina, offering AP, attack speed, and cooldown reduction.

Hextech Rocketbelt is an excellent AP gap-closer, ideal for helping Katarina dive the enemy backline and assassinate the carries.

Zhonya's Hourglass is a core item for when you ult, and other good items include Shadowflame and Lich Bane.

Starting Item & Boots

Refillable Potion

150 Gold

Dark Seal

350 Gold

Sorcerer's Shoes

1100 Gold

Skill Order

While your choices may differ according to how the game progresses, the typical Katarina skill priority is:

R > Q > E > W

Summoner Spells

These are the summoner spells most typically taken by Katarina in this role. Naturally, this may change depending on match-ups.

Gameplay

Katarina takes time to get going, but once she's reached her power spike she's a devastating burst assassin. You'll need to be adept at placing your daggers, so that you can dive and deal the majority of your damage with your passive and ult. Start defensively, transition into an aggressive playstyle later. 

• Level 1 - Take Q - Bouncing Blade, for the damage to multiple targets and potential poke damage. 
• Level 2 - Take E - Shunpo, for the incredibly mobility it offers. 
• First Back - Build towards your Nashor's Tooth. It's better to take this item first, given you'll be playing more passive early on. 

Tips & Tricks

• Use Preparation before you dive in with Death Lotus, for the extra damage. 
• You don't always have to use Death Lotus to its completion. In some situations you can deal more damage with your other abilities if they come off cooldown in the middle of your ult. 
• Remember that Death Lotus applies Grievous Wounds.
• Shunpo can just as easily be used as a tool to dodge abilities as it can a dive onto an opponent.
• Shunpo also resets Katarina's auto attack, so alternate between auto and spell.
• Bouncing Blade always falls the same distance from your target, opposite your position, and always takes the same amount of time to hit the floor. Learn to time it perfectly.