Nocturne
Recommended Build
Most popular build path
Recommended items for Nocturne: Profane Hydra, Axiom Arc, Voltaic Cyclosword, Plated Steelcaps, Experimental Hexplate, Lord Dominik's Regards, Guardian Angel, Death's Dance.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Domination
Hail of Blades
Sudden Impact
Grisly Mementos
Ultimate Hunter
Precision
Legend: Alacrity
Triumph
Playing as Nocturne
Tips to maximize your impact
- Fight on your trail
Fight on the Dusk Trail left by Duskbringer (Q): on it, you gain move speed and AD, and you move through units.
- Stay in range during your fear
Stay near your target after Unspeakable Horror (E): if the tether holds until the end, they're feared, and you gain move speed toward them.
- Block their CC with your Shroud
Cast Shroud of Darkness (W) just before their CC: the barrier blocks the next enemy ability for 1.5 seconds, and a successful block doubles the spell's attack speed bonus.
- Paranoia on an isolated enemy
Cast Paranoia (R) when an enemy is isolated: they can no longer see their allies, and you can launch yourself at them from long range, farther with each rank.
Versus
Compare against an opponent
Nocturne matchups
Global strengths and weaknesses
All Nocturne matchups
Build, runes and tips against each opponent
Nocturne vs Lee Sin
Nocturne vs Graves
Nocturne vs Wukong
Nocturne vs Viego
Nocturne vs Kayn
Nocturne vs Qiyana
Nocturne vs Kha'Zix
Nocturne vs Master Yi
Nocturne vs Jarvan IV
Nocturne vs Sylas
Nocturne vs Cho'Gath
Nocturne vs Talon
Nocturne vs Lillia
Nocturne vs Hecarim
Nocturne vs Shaco
Nocturne vs Rammus
Nocturne vs Gwen
Nocturne vs Ambessa
Playing against Nocturne
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Break his tether
Move away as soon as Unspeakable Horror (E) tethers you to him: if you get out of range before the tether ends, you aren't feared.
- Pop his barrier first
If you have CC, cast a cheap spell first: Shroud of Darkness (W) only blocks one ability, for 1.5 seconds.
- Move closer to your allies
When Paranoia (R) darkens your vision, move closer to your allies: you can't see them anymore, and he can launch himself at an isolated champion.
- Ward your flanks
Ward your jungle and your flanks: Paranoia (R) lets him launch himself at you from long range, and vision helps you see him coming.
Abilities and cooldowns
Every few seconds, Nocturne's next attack strikes surrounding enemies for bonus physical damage and heals himself. Nocturne's basic attacks reduce this cooldown.
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 20s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 20s | 15s | 2m40 |
| 9 | 8s | 18s | 15s | 2m40 |
| 11 | 8s | 16s | 15s | 2m10 |
| 16 | 8s | 12s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 8s | 12s | 11s | 1m40 |
How pros play Nocturne
High-elo players who play this champion.
Patch 16.21.1