Matchup

Split pushHeavy AD damageSustained DPSVery tanky

Build vs Nasus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Luden's Echo
1Mage
Shadowflame
2vs Tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Blackfire Torch
5Mage

Summoner spells

41286%
4217%

Anti AD

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

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank
Cryptbloom
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank

DPS

Blackfire Torch
Mage
Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Seraph's Embrace
Mage

Other options

Dark Seal
100.0% WR3 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
MelMel
NasusNasus
Favorable
Favorable
Passive

Nasus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Soul Eater (P)

Nasus drains his foe's spiritual energy, giving him bonus Life Steal.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37.5s15s12s
65.5s15s12s2m
93.5s14s12s2m
113.5s13s12s1m40
163.5s11s12s1m20
183.5s11s12s1m20

Playing against Nasus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Punish Nasus CONSTANTLY in early game: he is very weak before his stacks and depends on Q farming. Zone him away from minions.

2

Freeze the lane near your tower to prevent him from farming safely — he has to expose himself to ganks.

3

Don't let him free farm: a Nasus with 400+ stacks at 20 minutes is nearly unbeatable in 1v1.

4

Kite him in teamfights: despite his W slow, he's still a melee champion with no real gap-closer.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 7, 2026