Nidalee
Recommended Build
Most popular build path
Recommended items for Nidalee: Lich Bane, Hextech Rocketbelt, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Mejai's Soulstealer, Stormsurge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Domination
Dark Harvest
Sudden Impact
Grisly Mementos
Treasure Hunter
Sorcery
Transcendence
Waterwalking
Playing as Nidalee
Tips to maximize your impact
- Throw your javelin from range
Cast Javelin Toss (Q) from range: its damage increases with the distance it travels before hitting.
- Javelin, then cougar
After landing Javelin Toss (Q), switch to cougar with Aspect Of The Cougar (R): the target is hunted, which empowers Pounce (W) and Takedown (Q) against them.
- Trap your jungle entrances
Place Bushwhack (W) at your jungle entrances: the trap stays invisible for 2 minutes, reveals the enemy who steps on it and marks them as hunted.
- Get ahead early
Gank and invade a lot early on: Prowl (passive) speeds you up in brush, and even more when you move toward a visible enemy champion.
Versus
Compare against an opponent
Nidalee matchups
Global strengths and weaknesses
All Nidalee matchups
Build, runes and tips against each opponent
Nidalee vs Lee Sin
Nidalee vs Graves
Nidalee vs Kha'Zix
Nidalee vs Qiyana
Nidalee vs Viego
Nidalee vs Jarvan IV
Nidalee vs Talon
Nidalee vs Sylas
Nidalee vs Hecarim
Nidalee vs Lillia
Nidalee vs Master Yi
Nidalee vs Kayn
Nidalee vs Wukong
Nidalee vs Ekko
Nidalee vs Elise
Nidalee vs Fiddlesticks
Nidalee vs Rammus
Nidalee vs Amumu
Playing against Nidalee
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge her javelin
Dodge Javelin Toss (Q), especially from range: its damage grows with distance, and a javelin that hits empowers her cougar spells against you.
- Back before you get too low
Back before your health gets too low: in cougar form, Takedown (Q) deals more damage to targets that have already lost health.
- Ward the brush in your jungle
Ward the brush and entrances of your jungle early on: Prowl (passive) speeds her up there, especially when she's heading toward a visible champion.
- Drag the game out
If you survive her first minutes, play for time: Nidalee looks to get ahead through early ganks and invades.
Abilities and cooldowns
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.
| 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 |
How pros play Nidalee
High-elo players who play this champion.
Patch 16.21.1