Nidalee vs Kayn
Skill matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Kayn's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 21s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 13s | 21s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 21s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 11s | 21s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 5s | 9s | 17s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 5s | 9s | 13s | 1m20 |
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.
Playing against Kayn
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Nidalee matchups
Patch 16.21.1