Matchup

Heavy CCStrong engageCountered by spell shieldVery tanky

Build vs Nautilus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1Mage
Void Staff
2vs Tank
Shadowflame
3vs Tank

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Hextech Rocketbelt
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

41450%
3425%

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

Stormsurge
5vs Tank

DPS

Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
100.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Cut DownCut Down
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AuroraAurora
NautilusNautilus
Aggressive
Careful
Careful

Nautilus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Staggering Blow (P)

Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s12s7s
612s12s7s2m
910s12s7s2m
1110s12s7s1m40
1610s12s6s1m20
1810s12s5s1m20

Playing against Nautilus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

His Q hook can hit terrain (he pulls himself to the wall): minions do NOT block it, unlike Blitz/Thresh.

2

Respect his level 2: Q + passive root is one of the best support engages at level 2.

3

His R is point-and-click: you can't dodge it, but you can Zhonya's or position so it doesn't knock up your allies along the way.

4

Nautilus is slow without his Q — kite him after he uses his hook.

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