Vladimir vs Katarina Mid Matchup
Vladimir Mid wins 54.2% of 2,394 Low Elo games against Katarina Mid, +1.8 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.
Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.
Why Vladimir is favored
Vladimir can sustain through Katarina's short trades, keep wave control with his range, and use Sanguine Pool(W) to avoid her dagger burst or R. That denies Katarina the early lane control she needs to roam freely while Vladimir scales.
Measured in High Elo: Vladimir wins 2.6pp more often than expected over 1,267 games.
How to play as Vladimir
Use Q to sustain and keep the wave pushed; save W for Katarina's committed E or R so she cannot convert a trade into a kill.
Transfusion(Q) restores health and Sanguine Pool(W) makes Vladimir untargetable, giving him sustain and a defensive answer to Katarina's engage.
His ranged poke and sustain let him maintain lane priority over Katarina, whose strongest opportunities often come from leaving lane for skirmishes.
How to play as Katarina
Do not force repeated trades into Vladimir's Q sustain and W; look for river skirmishes or roams where he cannot use pool to protect the whole fight.
Sources
These notes come from r/VladimirMains, checked against the champions' abilities.