Nilah vs Varus
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Varus
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Nilah: The Collector, Infinity Edge, Lord Dominik's Regards, Gluttonous Greaves, Immortal Shieldbow, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Death's Dance, Mortal Reminder.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Varus's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
On kill or assist, Varus temporarily gains Attack Damage and Ability Power. This bonus is larger if the enemy is a champion.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16s | 40s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 14s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 12s | 40s | 18s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 12s | 40s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 12s | 40s | 10s | 1m |
Playing as Nilah
Tips to maximize your impact
- Jubilant Veil against their trade
Cast Jubilant Veil (W) when the enemy ADC starts a trade: you dodge their autos, and each ally you touch gains the same effect.
- Last-hit minions yourself
Last-hit minions yourself: Joy Unending (passive) gives you more XP when you're the one who kills them.
- Extend your range before your autos
Hit an enemy, minions included, with Formless Blade (Q) before your autos: you gain range and attack speed, and your autos hit in a cone.
- Stick to your target with Slipstream
Use Slipstream (E) to reach your target: the dash goes through a unit, minions included, and damages enemies in its path.
- Apotheosis on a group
Cast Apotheosis (R) when your support has grouped enemies around you: the final strike pulls them toward you, and the spell heals you and nearby allies.
Playing against Varus
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off with his Blight on you
Back off after taking a few autos: each one applies a Blight stack from Blighted Quiver (W), and his spells detonate them for damage based on your max health.
- Engage while he charges
If you can engage, go in while he charges Piercing Arrow (Q): charging slows him, and he has no dash to escape.
- Leave his hail of arrows
Get out of the Hail of Arrows (E) zone fast: the desecrated ground slows you and reduces the healing you receive.
- Spread out from the chained ally
When an ally is caught by Chain of Corruption (R), move away from them fast: the corruption spreads to nearby champions, but dies out if you get far enough in time.
Other Nilah matchups
Patch 16.21.1