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Tier S Advanced Patch 16.11

Dark Star Fast 9 - Jhin & Karma

The premier Dark Star fast 9 line. Two completed carries, a Vanguard front, and a clean transition into the level 9 capped board.

By Citadel Coaching · Updated May 29, 2026
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Jhin

Dark Star Fast 9 - Jhin & Karma

The premier Dark Star fast 9 line. Two completed carries, a Vanguard front, and a clean transition into the level 9 capped board.

Tier S advanced Patch 16.11 Fast 9StandardFlex

Overview

Dark Star is the most consistent fast 9 board in the patch. You play a strong Vanguard front while pushing levels, then cap with a double-carry backline of Jhin (AD) and Karma (AP). The trait flexes between 6 Dark Star and a Conduit splash for extra mana generation.

Capped Board - Level 9

Jhin and Karma sit deep in the back corners. Mordekaiser and Leona hold the front; Cho'Gath anchors the center.

6/9 Dark Star
2/4 Vanguard
2/3 Conduit
1/1 Eradicator
1/2 Brawler
1/2 Arbiter
1/3 Shepherd
1/2 Replicator
1/2 Rogue
1/3 Mecha
1/2 Sniper
1/2 Voyager
Cho'Gath
★★
Warmog's ArmorBramble Vest
Leona
★★
Sunfire Cape
Mordekaiser
★★
Dragon's Claw
Lissandra
★★
Kai'Sa
★★
Aurelion Sol
★★
Spear of Shojin
Jhin
★★
Infinity EdgeLast WhisperGiant Slayer
Karma
★★
Blue BuffRabadon's DeathcapJeweled Gauntlet

Early Game

Lissandra
Lissandra core

Best Dark Star opener; holds AP items early.

Cho'Gath
Cho'Gath core

Frontline brawler, slam defensive items.

Caitlyn
Caitlyn holder

Holds AD items until Jhin arrives.

Leona
Leona flex

Strong stage-2 tank, fits final board.

Itemization

Jhin

Jhin

BIS
Infinity EdgeLast WhisperGiant Slayer
Alt
Kraken's Fury

Infinity Edge + Last Whisper is mandatory; Giant Slayer for HP-stacked lobbies.

Karma

Karma

BIS
Blue BuffRabadon's DeathcapJeweled Gauntlet
Alt
Archangel's Staff

Blue Buff enables her cast loop; Archangel's is the budget alternative.

Mordekaiser

Mordekaiser

BIS
Dragon's Claw
Alt
Sterak's Gage

Itemize toward whichever damage type threatens you most.

Augments

Advanced Loan
Advanced Loan best

Econ to power the fast 9 push.

Augmented Power
Augmented Power good

Free completed component eases your item timing.

Comeback Story
Comeback Story situational

Only when you fall below 40 HP early.

Leveling & Econ

Level Timing Gold Action
6 3-2 keep 50 Level on 3-2, do not roll. Win streak or lose streak cleanly.
7 4-1 keep 50 Level to 7, stay on 50 gold.
8 4-5 30+ Level to 8, light roll if below 40 HP.
9 5-1 / 5-3 all-in Hit 9 and roll for Jhin + 4-cost upgrades.

Stage-by-Stage

Stage 2

Open strong

  • Play Lissandra + best 2-stars
  • Slam defensive items on Cho'Gath
  • Prioritise win streak
Stage 3

Stabilise

  • Stay on 50 gold
  • Don't roll - econ to 7
  • Hold AD components for Jhin
Stage 4

Fast 8

  • Level to 8 on 4-5
  • Add Kai'Sa / Karma
  • Only roll if bleeding out

Matchups

Marauder Reroll hard

They out-tempo you in stage 3 - protect HP and out-scale at 9.

Sniper Xayah even

Position Jhin away from their carousel-side flank.

Brawler Reroll easy

Your backline out-ranges them once Jhin is 2-starred.

Watch it played
Gameplay VOD
Dark Star rewards clean econ and patience. If you can reach level 9 with 50+ gold and a healthy HP bar, this is one of the highest-ceiling boards in the game.
Fast 9 Standard Flex dark star jhin karma fast 9 carry

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