Matchup

Heavy CCStrong engageCountered by spell shieldVery tanky

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

Build vs Nautilus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1Mage tank
Riftmaker
2Mage tank
Nashor's Tooth
3DPS

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Shadowflame
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

41471%
41221%

Anti AD

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

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
100.0% WR1 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
UnflinchingUnflinching
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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

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