Laning with Karma is like laning with any other mage. You will be using your Q to help you cs. At level 6, Karma can one shot mage minions with her empowered Q, so it definitely helps with clearing waves. Her autos early game are like any other mage though, it'll be really weak, and it might take some practice to CS if you're new to mages. For trades, you'll be doing the combos outlined in the next chapter. When you're getting ganked, always try to get your W off, as the root is crucial. If there's CC on the enemy team, you can either adjust the build or use your shield's movement speed boost to dodge more easily. Once you get a good push and take some platings, and after you have mythic, you should start roaming a bit and helping contest objectives or claim bounties.

The main combo you will be pulling off is shield, auto, tether, auto, empowered inner flame, auto, and maybe an ignite if they're low enough. You will use this in literally every duel and gank. Your shield will give you the movement speed to engage the tether and then your Q. If you don't have mantra, try to get as many inner flames as possible, as this poke is basically your main source of damage. Using your autos to poke during laning phase is also important, so you can get Grasp procs.

As stated before, your empowered inner flame is really important. In team fights, that extra burst of damage and AoE can turn the tide. Your shielding is also very important to keep your carries and other teammates alive, and it's also great for escape. If you want to engage, either an empowered Q for the slow and damage or an empowered E for the speed will get it going. Your empowered Q is also strong enough to steal some objectives like drake (it'll be the best feeling ever). Karma overall in the top lane, while she is a decent source of AP, is really a gamechanger in teamfights, and you should keep this in mind.

I'm literally a Karma main, and for me, this is one of those characters that I can have fun with no matter what. Even if I'm malding top lane, I can still get a good laugh or help the rest of my team. I've used different builds top lane, but this is probably one of my favorites.

Pros: You can help tip the scale in your favor in teamfights, and you'll probably have a blast with this build. You're a decent source of magic damage, and you'll most likely be able to kill most squishies with ease. You probably won't die as easily as you would if you played something like Karma support, since you're building tanky. Karma Top is also not played that often, so there's less of a chance people know how to play against you.

Cons: Unfortunately, a lot of other mages and top laners outscale Karma in the late game. You basically fall off a bit, but if you can still poke damage consistently and help your teamfights, this isn't that big of a problem.

I think this is a really fun build that you should definitely try. If you want to get a good laugh out of you and maybe get into other people's heads during the game, this will do it. Surprisingly, a lot of people don't know how to counter you, so most of the time you'll be able to do a lot for your team. 90% of the time you will have a blast, unless you're getting one shot by an assasin early game or something. Good luck, and remember, enjoy yourself!