Matchup

Heavy AP damageHeavy pokeHigh burstDive threat

You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Nidalee

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Profane Hydra
1vs Tank
The Collector
2vs Tank
Edge of Night
3vs Tank

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

414100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank
Youmuu's Ghostblade
vs Tank

DPS

Infinity Edge
DPS
Stormrazor
DPS
0.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
SorcerySorcery
Absolute FocusAbsolute Focus
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
QuinnQuinn
NidaleeNidalee
Careful
Neutral
Neutral

Nidalee's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Prowl (P)

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.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
36s13s12s
66s13s12s3s
96s12s12s3s
116s11s12s3s
166s9s12s3s
186s9s12s3s

Playing against Nidalee

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Dodge her Q (javelin): without the mark, her cougar burst is significantly reduced.

2

Nidalee scales poorly into late game — if you survive her early pressure, you'll have the advantage later.

3

Deep ward: Nidalee excels at jungle invading and fast ganks thanks to her cougar speed.

4

Tanks and champions with high HP counter her: her burst becomes less and less effective on tanky targets.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026