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ARAM · Howling AbyssMatchup guide

Karma vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

KarmaVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Type a name or choose from the champion list

VS
One shared lane

ARAM context

One shared lane, one champion-specific plan

The page uses ARAM starting, shopping and teamfight rules. Its internal build source is not shown as a Rift assignment.

Howling Abyss
Review patch unknownRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Game patch
26.22
Recommendation patch
—
Build validation patch
16.22.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 / 16.22.1 Data Dragon

Howling Abyss rules

Prepare for one shared lane

ARAM removes the normal Rift role map. Build around the champion, the five-player team and the next fight instead.

01
Start together

Choose a champion from the Champion Cards or shared bench.

02
Shop

The shop reopens when you die. Finish buying before you leave the shop area or enter combat.

03
Health relics

Ping the relic so nearby teammates can share the healing.

04
Minion wave

Push with your minions when it’s safe to hit a turret.

Build reference

Recommendation review pending

No item reference is approved for this mode. Review starting items, replacements, runes and spells separately.

Check Riot’s Recommended shop and consider what your team needs.

Shop Data Dragon · 16.22.1

Find an item

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsKarmaHowling Abyss

Aery and Revitalize support repeated ally protection. Exhaust is a manual answer to one committed diver rather than a generic damage spell.

ARAM
Primary tree

Sorcery

Summon AeryManaflow BandTranscendenceGathering Storm
Secondary tree

Resolve

Font of LifeRevitalize
Summoner spells
FlashExhaust
Howling Abyss only

Mark and Clarity are mode-specific choices. Do not copy this pair onto a Summoner's Rift page.

Protect the next fight

Choose the second spell around access, survival and team resources rather than treating every ARAM champion as a diver.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Shared-lane interaction

Compare reliable reach and repeatable value

Track which champion can apply damage, control or protection without crossing the enemy team's safe space. ARAM does not turn this kit comparison into a lane-counter claim.

Team context first

Compare engage, range, sustained damage and protection.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Check Riot’s Recommended shop and consider what your team needs.

Ability reminders

Karma reminders

  • Gathering Fire rewards aggressive play. Look to land abilities and basic attacks on your opponent to lower Mantra's cooldown and stay on the offensive.
  • When using Focused Resolve, slow your opponents with Inner Flame or speed yourself up with Inspire if you're having trouble sticking to a target.
  • Don't be too conservative with Mantra. Gathering Fire is strongest in teamfights, making it easy to recharge Mantra multiple times.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Karma

Data Dragon 16.20.1
  1. P
    Gathering Fire

    Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.

  2. Q
    Inner Flame

    Karma sends forth a ball of spirit energy that explodes and deals damage upon hitting an enemy unit. Mantra Bonus: In addition to the explosion, Mantra increases the destructive power of her Inner Flame, creating a cataclysm which deals damage after a short delay.

    Cooldown (s) 9/8/7/6/5 · Cost 40/50/60/70/80 · Listed range (units) 950
  3. W
    Focused Resolve

    Karma creates a tether between herself and a targeted enemy, dealing damage and revealing them. If the tether is not broken, the enemy will be rooted and damaged again. Mantra Bonus: Karma strengthens the link, healing herself and extending the root duration.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 675
  4. E
    Inspire

    Karma summons a protective shield that absorbs incoming damage and increases the Move Speed of the protected ally. Mantra Bonus: Energy radiates out from her target, strengthening the initial shield and applying Inspire to nearby allied champions.

    Cooldown (s) 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 · Cost 60/65/70/75/80 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Mantra

    Karma empowers her next ability to do an additional effect. Mantra is available at level 1 and does not require a skill point.

    Cooldown (s) 40/38/36/34 · Listed range (units) 1100

Vex

Data Dragon 16.20.1
  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Trade around health, range and the next wave

1
Wave

Let the team clear without spending every important cooldown at once.

2
Map play

Track the shared lane, brush control and available relics rather than looking for a Rift rotation.

3
Fights

Use the champion's reliable range, protection or control before forcing a low-percentage engage.

Shared-lane plan

Karma on Howling Abyss

Read health, range, wave position and respawn timing together. ARAM has no side-lane rotation, neutral-objective setup or normal ward-control loop.

ARAM only
1
Before the fight

Clear or escort the wave, check which allies are alive and preserve enough health to use the champion's reliable range, protection or engage.

2
During the fight

Use the nearest safe target and the team's reachable follow-up. Do not cross the whole enemy formation for a single low-health champion.

3
After the fight

Push with surviving minions, take the safe structure damage available and reset only through a real death rather than donating one alone.

Keep preparing

Build referenceMatchup guide