Jungle · Normal Draft · Matchup guide · Patch16.20.1
Karma vs Vex
Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.
VS
Role fit
Jungle · Karma
Karma is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Jungle route. Jungle usually needs repeatable monster clear, safe pathing and objective control without lane income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.
Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon
?
Unreviewed route
No reviewed Karma Jungle build
Karma is normally played Support and does not currently have a reviewed Jungle route. Jungle usually needs repeatable monster clear, safe pathing and objective control without lane income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.
A different lane's items are not relabelled as correct. Role income, map access and starting rules can change the whole purchase order.
Build value through repeated combat while keeping Smite for camps and objectives.
Normal Draft
Primary tree
Precision
ConquerorTriumphLegend: AlacrityLast Stand
Secondary tree
Domination
Sudden ImpactRelentless Hunter
Summoner spells
FlashSmite
Keep Smite
Smite is part of Jungle companion progression and objective security. The movement or combat spell beside it is the adjustable slot.
Change the movement spell
Ghost can fit sustained access; Flash can fit one immediate reposition. Use the champion's route and intended fights to choose.
Matchup notes
What changes when Vex is opposite you?
Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison
Respect the opponent's reliable threat
Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.
Your plan
Use the route you prepared
Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.
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.
Static alternatives
Compare the problem before changing the plan
These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.
Only when enemy healing is deciding fights
Oblivion Orb
Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.
Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
Ability reference
Compare both kits
Ability referenceData Dragon 16.20.1
Cooldown / Cost / RangeData Dragon 16.20.1
Karma
P
Gathering Fire
Gathering Fire is the always-on rule shaping Karma's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-game state before committing.
Q
Inner Flame
Inner Flame contributes damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 9/8/7/6/5 · Cost 40/50/60/70/80 · Listed range 950
W
Focused Resolve
Focused Resolve contributes hard crowd control and protection or sustain. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 12 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range 675
E
Inspire
Inspire contributes protection or sustain and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 · Cost 60/65/70/75/80 · Listed range 800
R
Mantra
Mantra changes a following cast rather than acting as an isolated button. Choose the version needed before committing, then check the current tooltip for each upgraded effect.
Cooldown 40/38/36/34 · Listed range 1100
Vex
P
Doom 'n Gloom
Doom 'n Gloom is an automatic part of the kit involving hard crowd control and damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.
Q
Mistral Bolt
Mistral Bolt is a ranged cast involving its listed effect. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.
Cooldown 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range 1200
W
Personal Space
Personal Space contributes protection or sustain and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.
Cooldown 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range 475
E
Looming Darkness
Looming Darkness creates setup or area pressure. Place it where the opponent must choose between entering its space, changing route or giving up the immediate contest.
Cooldown 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range 800
R
Shadow Surge
Shadow Surge is a ranged cast involving movement or repositioning and damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.
Cooldown 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range 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.
Ahead plan
Convert tempo into camps, vision and objectives
1
Pathing
Take efficient camps between plays so a lead does not disappear into repeated waiting.
2
Map play
Use lane priority before invading or starting an objective, and leave when nearby lanes cannot move.
3
Fights
Enter through controlled vision and keep a route out; a winning Jungler still loses a shutdown when isolated.
Even plan
Keep the clear moving and choose high-information plays
1
Pathing
Track opposing camps and lane states instead of forcing the first visible target.
2
Map play
Trade sides of the map when contesting would require weaker lanes to move first.
3
Fights
Save important control for the enemy who threatens your carries or objective access.
Behind plan
Recover guaranteed camps and avoid desperate invades
1
Pathing
Path through known territory and help lanes only when the opponent is genuinely vulnerable.
2
Map play
Cross-map rather than arriving late to a lost objective, then restore defensive vision with an ally.
3
Fights
Play around the strongest teammate and make the enemy commit into your control.
Pings, movement and objectives
Karma Jungle map plan
Link each clear to the next informed decision. Pings should tell lanes where you are pathing and whether the team is contesting or trading an objective.
Ahead
Turn tempo into controlled territory
Ping
Use On My Way before entering a lane, Assist Me before an objective and Danger when nearby lanes cannot move to an invade.
Path or gank
Gank when the lane has reach, damage and a safe exit. Do not wait beside a protected target while camps and the next objective disappear.
Objective
Establish vision with the nearest winning lane, keep Smite available and avoid chasing away from the objective after gaining control.
Even
Choose the play with the clearest information
Ping
Use On My Way early enough for the lane to prepare, Assist Me only when nearby lanes can move, and Retreat when the contest has already become late.
Path or gank
Prefer a lane with crowd control, damaged opponents or a favourable wave. A visible opponent is not automatically a usable gank.
Objective
Check Mid and Bot priority before Dragon, or Mid and Top before Herald. Set a safe entrance before beginning the objective.
Behind
Trade the map instead of forcing recovery
Ping
Ping Retreat from lost contests, Danger on likely invades and On My Way when covering a vulnerable lane or remaining camp.
Path or gank
Counter-gank or help only when allies can survive until arrival. Repeated low-chance ganks deepen the camp and level deficit.
Objective
If entry is unsafe, trade for camps, a wave, vision or the opposite objective. Keep Smite and crowd control for a contest the team can actually reach.
Objective setup
Four calls, in order
Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.
1
Before the route
Decide which camps lead toward the objective and ping the nearby lanes before they spend the wave or recall timing.
2
Check priority
Confirm which nearby lanes can move first. Do not convert an isolated objective marker into a forced fight.
3
Control entry
Move with a teammate, sweep one entrance and keep Smite available before committing damage to the objective.
4
Finish or turn
Call whether the team is finishing, fighting or leaving. Mixed decisions are more dangerous than either clear choice.
Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.
Keep preparing
Use the champion page or choose another opponent
The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.