Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh sustain

Build vs Nilah

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Liandry's Torment
1Mage tank
Kaenic Rookern
2vs AP
Randuin's Omen
3vs AD

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Sunfire Aegis
5vs AD

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Sunfire Aegis
5vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD

Anti Heal

Thornmail
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Abyssal Mask
vs AP
0.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Axiom ArcanistAxiom Arcanist
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
DominationDomination
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Attack SpeedMove SpeedTenacity

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AmumuAmumu
NilahNilah
Passive
Favorable
Aggressive

Nilah's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Joy Unending (P)

Nilah gains increased experience from last-hitting minions along with the ability to enhance and share nearby healing and shielding from her allies.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
34s26s0.5s
64s26s0.5s1m50
94s25s0.5s1m50
114s24s0.5s1m35
164s22s0.5s1m20
184s22s0.5s1m20

Playing against Nilah

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Nilah's W blocks autos — switch to abilities or wait for the zone to expire.

2

Poke her at range: as a melee ADC, she's weak against ranged harassment.

3

Watch out for her XP advantage: she can hit level 6 before you and all-in with R.

4

Mage supports (Brand, Zyra) counter her because they don't rely on the autos that her W blocks.

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