Matchup

Ambessa
Ambessa
100%
0%

vs

52.8%

over 549 games

Nasus
Nasus
54%
46%
Split pushHeavy AD damageSustained DPSVery tanky

Skill matchup

Build vs Nasus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Profane Hydra
1vs Tank
Voltaic Cyclosword
2vs Tank
Death's Dance
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Eclipse
5DPS

Summoner spells

41458%
41238%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Maw of Malmortius
5vs AP

Anti Heal

Chempunk Chainsword
6vs Heal

Anti Tank

Black Cleaver
5vs Tank
Axiom Arc
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank
Hubris
vs Tank
Serylda's Grudge
vs Tank
Lord Dominik's Regards
vs Tank
Edge of Night
vs Tank
Bastionbreaker
vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank

DPS

Eclipse
DPS
Spear of Shojin
Bruiser
Endless Hunger
DPS
Sundered Sky
Bruiser

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
Bramble Vest
100.0% WR4 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
TriumphTriumph
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
Second WindSecond Wind
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AmbessaAmbessa
NasusNasus
Aggressive
Neutral
Passive

Nasus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Soul Eater (P)

Nasus drains his foe's spiritual energy, giving him bonus Life Steal.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37.5s15s12s
65.5s15s12s2m
93.5s14s12s2m
113.5s13s12s1m40
163.5s11s12s1m20
183.5s11s12s1m20

Playing against Nasus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Punish Nasus CONSTANTLY in early game: he is very weak before his stacks and depends on Q farming. Zone him away from minions.

2

Freeze the lane near your tower to prevent him from farming safely — he has to expose himself to ganks.

3

Don't let him free farm: a Nasus with 400+ stacks at 20 minutes is nearly unbeatable in 1v1.

4

Kite him in teamfights: despite his W slow, he's still a melee champion with no real gap-closer.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026