Karthus/Trivia

		This article is a compilation of the trivia sections found across Karthus' articles and is provided as a courtesy for readers who enjoyed our previously dedicated champion-trivia articles. The information found on this page cannot be edited from here - please follow the provided links to the source articles. This page will automatically reflect changes made elsewhere.

Development

Unlike most Shadow Isles champions who have a direct relation to the Ruined King and/or the Ruination that destroyed the Isles, Karthus is one of two champions with no connection to the Isles' origin.

Karthus is voiced by Adam Harrington, who also voices Kassadin, Mordekaiser, Ryze, the Rogue Mage, and Shaco.
During development he was called Lich.
Requiem was likely named after Requiem Mass referencing Karthus' singing for/about the dead.
His Chinese Classic splash art made a cameo in Fright Night along with Original Fiddlesticks.

A glass case reading 'Press R to Win' can be seen in the game's Mac Version launch trailer.
Before 2016, Karthus had been disabled for every single Ultra Rapid Fire edition (most likely to prevent 'Spam R to Win' abuse cases).
For a brief time in Season 2015, Karthus had a bug where he could remain in Death Defied indefinitely while alive and held an 87% win rate.^[1]

" It will turn their mantles to shrouds." is a double entendre.
"I am become death!" references J. Robert Oppenheimer misquoting the Bhagavad Gita.
"What's the incantation again... yes, erm... oh, right, R!" references Karthus' iconic meme 'Press R to Win', considering the automatic and almost guaranteed effects of his ultimate.
"I'm putting your name in my little black necronomicon." references H. P. Lovecraft's grimoire of the same name.
"Do you have a moment to talk about death?" references Excuse Me Sir, Do You Have a Moment to Talk About Jesus Christ?
"Gaze upon me and despair!" references Percy Bysshe Shelley's Ozymandias, in which a line within the poem similarly states: Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!.

Pentakill Karthus represents the singer of the band created by Riot Games, Pentakill.
- "I am The Lightbringer!" is a self-referential to the band's song "Lightbringer".
- "Everyone will falter when you die!" and "My son, Smite them all!" are both self-refential to the band's song "Thornmail".
"You can't kill the metal!" references The Metal by Tenacious D.
"Silence, groundwalker.", "What have I done? Created beauty by simply rocking! That's all.", and "What is that sound? It's the pounding of creation's hammer on the anvil of time!" all reference Brütal Legend.
- A side-by-side comparison can be seen here.
"Tower diver, gotta get away, get away." references Holy Diver by Dio.
- In some localizations, this voiceline is changed in a way that references their popular rock songs:
  - Portuguese (Brazil): Ratamahatta by Sepultura.
  - Russian: Prygnu so skaly by Korol i Shut.
  - Spanish (Spain): Entre Dos Tierras by Héroes del Silencio.
  - Turkish: Şaşkın by Erkin Koray.
"Die for metal. references Die for Metal by Manowar.
"Light's out forever. references School's Out by Alice Cooper.
"Death is blacker than the blackest black... times infinity." references Metalocalypse.
- A side-by-side comparison can be seen here.
"This is eleven!" references Spinal Tap.
In the Brazilian localization, one of his jokes references Toca Raul by Zeca Baleiro (named after Raul Seixas).

He references the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
When he dances, a red-tailed hawk screeches (just like when Uncle Ryze uses Realm Warp), parodying real-life dubbing for the bald eagle's smoother, higher-pitched cheeps & tweets.
Some locales use the alternative name "Karthus of Liberty".

He is the fourth non-Legendary skin to have special voice-over lines (the others being Jaximus, Mecha Kha'Zix, Crime City Jinx, and Battlecast Vel'Koz).
- The voice-over lines of that skin share along with Pentakill III: Lost Chapter Karthus.
He was inspired by Eddie the Head from Iron Maiden band.
Karthus' vocals in Smite and Ignite are provided by ZP Theart ('Deathfire Grasp' and 'Last Whisper') and by Jørn Lande (the rest). Jørn Lande and Per Johansson sing for his part in Grasp of the Undying albums.

He was released in celebration of Fnatic winning the Season 1 World Championship along with:
He represents xPeke.
His staff is adorned with the Summoner's Cup.

Bard Bard, Jayce Brighthammer, and Sejuani Dawnchaser can be seen in the background, trying to stop him.
He was released along with:
He references a traditional tabletop role-playing game.
- He uses what appears to be the Rod of Ages.
- This is the first skin in which Karthus is human.
He can understand Bard Bard, but it is uncertain whether this is canon.
His ability visuals and sound effects are reminiscent of the Pre-Visual Update Karthus.