Neeko vs Nautilus
Skill matchup
Build vs Nautilus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Neeko: Hextech Rocketbelt, Zhonya's Hourglass, Stormsurge, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Celestial Opposition, Oblivion Orb, Imperial Mandate.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Nautilus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 14s | 12s | 7s | – |
| 6 | 12s | 12s | 7s | 2m |
| 9 | 10s | 12s | 7s | 2m |
| 11 | 10s | 12s | 7s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 10s | 12s | 6s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 10s | 12s | 5s | 1m20 |
Playing as Neeko
Tips to maximize your impact
- Empower your tangle on a minion
Cast Tangle-Barbs (E) through a minion before your target: once empowered, it grows larger, moves faster and roots for longer.
- Seed after the root
After the Tangle-Barbs (E) root, cast Blooming Burst (Q) on your target: on a champion, the seed blooms up to two more times.
- Approach disguised, then leap
Approach disguised with Inherent Glamour (passive), then cast Pop Blossom (R) in the middle of them: in disguise, the leap's preparation stays hidden.
- Fake them out with your clone
Cast Shapesplitter (W) to escape or to fake them out: you turn invisible for a moment and your clone goes its own way, mirroring your spells.
Playing against Nautilus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Once he hits level 2, stay behind your minions: the Dredge Line (Q) anchor hooks the first enemy hit, then the Staggering Blow (passive) auto keeps you in place.
- Hold still against Riptide
When he casts Riptide (E) near you, stay put until it ends: its three explosions spread out around him, and running too early makes you take the next ones and their slow.
- Back off after his anchor
When Dredge Line (Q) misses you, keep your distance: it's his only spell to reach you, on a 14 to 10 second cooldown.
- Get out of his shockwave's path
When he aims Depth Charge (R) at an ally, don't stand between them: the shockwave chases its target, and every enemy in its path takes a knock-up.
Other Neeko matchups
Patch 16.21.1