Matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHigh burstDive threat

You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Nidalee

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1Mage
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2Mage tank
Liandry's Torment
3Mage tank

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Summoner spells

41278%
42122%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Banshee's Veil
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Bloodletter's Curse
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
0.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Absolute FocusAbsolute Focus
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AurelionSolAurelion Sol
NidaleeNidalee
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Nidalee's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Prowl (P)

Moving through brush increases Nidalee's Move Speed by 10% for 2 seconds, increased to 30% toward visible enemy champions within 1400 range.Hitting champions or monsters with Javelin Toss or Bushwhack triggers a Hunt, granting True Sight of them for 4 seconds. During this time, Nidalee gains 10% Move Speed (increased to 30% toward the Hunted target) and her Takedown and Pounce are enhanced against them.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
36s13s12s
66s13s12s3s
96s12s12s3s
116s11s12s3s
166s9s12s3s
186s9s12s3s

Playing against Nidalee

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Dodge her Q (javelin): without the mark, her cougar burst is significantly reduced.

2

Nidalee scales poorly into late game — if you survive her early pressure, you'll have the advantage later.

3

Deep ward: Nidalee excels at jungle invading and fast ganks thanks to her cougar speed.

4

Tanks and champions with high HP counter her: her burst becomes less and less effective on tanky targets.

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