Matchup

Heavy CCStrong engageCountered by spell shieldVery tanky

Build vs Nautilus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Hollow Radiance
1vs AP
Thornmail
2vs Hybride
Kaenic Rookern
3vs AP

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride

Summoner spells

41157%
61143%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Sunfire Aegis
vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Force of Nature
5vs AP

Other options

Protoplasm Harness
Survival
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
AftershockAftershock
Font of LifeFont of Life
ConditioningConditioning
UnflinchingUnflinching
SorcerySorcery
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
CelerityCelerity
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RammusRammus
NautilusNautilus
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Nautilus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Staggering Blow (P)

Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s12s7s
612s12s7s2m
910s12s7s2m
1110s12s7s1m40
1610s12s6s1m20
1810s12s5s1m20

Playing against Nautilus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

His Q hook can hit terrain (he pulls himself to the wall): minions do NOT block it, unlike Blitz/Thresh.

2

Respect his level 2: Q + passive root is one of the best support engages at level 2.

3

His R is point-and-click: you can't dodge it, but you can Zhonya's or position so it doesn't knock up your allies along the way.

4

Nautilus is slow without his Q — kite him after he uses his hook.

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