Nautilus vs Sona
Skill matchup
Build vs Sona
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Nautilus: Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Bandlepipes, Plated Steelcaps, Celestial Opposition, Solstice Sleigh, Thornmail, Bramble Vest.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Sona's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Accelerando: Sona gains non-Ultimate ability haste permanently for her basic abilities as she uses her abilities well, up to a cap. Beyond that cap, further successful uses reduce her ultimate's remaining cooldown instead.Power Chord: Every few spell casts, Sona's next attack will deal bonus magic damage in addition to an additional effect based on what basic Ability Sona last activated.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 10s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 2m |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 14s | 1m40 |
Playing as Nautilus
Tips to maximize your impact
- Hook their carry
Aim Dredge Line (Q) at their carry: you and your target are pulled toward each other, and they're briefly stunned.
- Auto right after your Dredge Line
After Dredge Line (Q), land an auto right away: Staggering Blow (passive) roots the target after the stun, giving your ADC time to arrive.
- Switch targets to root
In teamfights, hit a new target whenever you can: your first auto on each target triggers Staggering Blow (passive) and briefly roots them.
- Depth Charge on their backline carry
Cast Depth Charge (R) on their backline carry: every enemy the shockwave crosses along the way also takes a knock-up and a stun.
Playing against Sona
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Don't count on your minions
Don't count on your minions against Hymn of Valor (Q): it hits the two nearest enemies, champions first.
- Back off after her spells
Back off when she has cast several spells: Power Chord (passive) empowers her next auto, which damages, weakens or slows you.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies against her: Crescendo (R) stuns every enemy it hits, and it's her only stun.
- Target her first
If you can engage, target Sona first: she has no dash, and without her, her team loses its heals and shields.
Other Nautilus matchups
Patch 16.21.1