Matchup
Skill matchup
Build vs Nidalee
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
98%
2%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti AP
Anti Heal
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Sorcery
Stormraider's Surge
Nimbus Cloak
Celerity
Waterwalking
Precision
Legend: Haste
Triumph
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Hecarim
NidaleeNidalee's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6s | 13s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 12s | 3s |
| 9 | 6s | 12s | 12s | 3s |
| 11 | 6s | 11s | 12s | 3s |
| 16 | 6s | 9s | 12s | 3s |
| 18 | 6s | 9s | 12s | 3s |
Playing against Nidalee
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Dodge her Q (javelin): without the mark, her cougar burst is significantly reduced.
Nidalee scales poorly into late game — if you survive her early pressure, you'll have the advantage later.
Deep ward: Nidalee excels at jungle invading and fast ganks thanks to her cougar speed.
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