Nidalee vs Kayn

Nidalee
vs
49.9%

over 1813 games

Kayn

Skill matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstHigh sustainDive threat

Build vs Kayn

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Nidalee: Lich Bane, Hextech Rocketbelt, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Shadowflame, Dark Seal, Rabadon's Deathcap, Mejai's Soulstealer.

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup
Health Potion

Core build

Lich Bane
1
Hextech Rocketbelt
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5

Summoner spells

FlashSmite100%
ExhaustSmite0%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Shadowflame
Dark Seal
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mejai's Soulstealer
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Seeker's Armguard
Liandry's Torment
Banshee's Veil
Oblivion Orb
Cryptbloom
Horizon Focus
Bloodletter's Curse
Luden's Echo
Blackfire Torch
Morellonomicon
Echoes of Helia
Riftmaker
Trinity Force
Cosmic Drive
Moonstone Renewer
Dusk and Dawn
48.2% WR218 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Kayn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

The Darkin Scythe (P)

Kayn wields an ancient weapon and fights Rhaast, the darkin within it, for control. Either the Darkin will triumph, or Kayn will master Rhaast and become the Shadow Assassin.Darkin: Heal for a percentage of spell damage dealt to champions.Shadow Assassin: For the first few seconds in combat with enemy champions, deal bonus damage.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s13s21s–
66s13s21s2m
95s12s21s2m
115s11s21s1m40
165s9s17s1m20
185s9s13s1m20

Playing as Nidalee

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Throw your javelin from range

    Cast Javelin Toss (Q) from range: its damage increases with the distance it travels before hitting.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

Playing against Kayn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge his Blade's Reach

    Dodge Blade's Reach (W): Umbral Trespass (R) can only target a champion he just damaged, and this ranged hit is how he marks you from range.

  2. Save your CC for his E

    If you have CC, land it during Shadow Step (E): once immobilized, he loses the spell and can't move through walls anymore.

  3. Save your spells for his exit

    Don't cast your spells during Umbral Trespass (R): hidden inside your ally, he's untargetable. Save them for when he bursts out.

  4. Ward your jungle too

    Ward your jungle too, not just the river: Shadow Step (E) lets him go through walls and show up from unexpected paths.

  5. Pressure him before he transforms

    Pressure him before his transformation: until he picks Rhaast or Shadow Assassin, The Darkin Scythe (passive) gives him no healing or bonus damage.

Patch 16.21.1