Matchup

Ryze
Ryze
17%
83%

vs

54.9%

over 173 games

Nasus
Nasus
54%
46%
Split pushHeavy AD damageSustained DPSVery tanky

Skill matchup

Build vs Nasus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Seraph's Embrace
1Mage
Actualizer
2Mage
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Rod of Ages
5HP

Summoner spells

41260%
4627%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Void Staff
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank
Bloodletter's Curse
vs Tank

DPS

Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
Mage tank
Riftmaker
Mage tank

Other options

Rod of Ages
HP
Tear of the Goddess
Dark Seal
100.0% WR2 games
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
RyzeRyze
NasusNasus
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

Nasus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Soul Eater (P)

Nasus drains his foe's spiritual energy, giving him bonus Life Steal.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37.5s15s12s
65.5s15s12s2m
93.5s14s12s2m
113.5s13s12s1m40
163.5s11s12s1m20
183.5s11s12s1m20

Playing against Nasus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Punish Nasus CONSTANTLY in early game: he is very weak before his stacks and depends on Q farming. Zone him away from minions.

2

Freeze the lane near your tower to prevent him from farming safely — he has to expose himself to ganks.

3

Don't let him free farm: a Nasus with 400+ stacks at 20 minutes is nearly unbeatable in 1v1.

4

Kite him in teamfights: despite his W slow, he's still a melee champion with no real gap-closer.

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