Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHigh sustain

Build vs Nilah

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Essence Reaver
1DPS
Spear of Shojin
2Bruiser
Rapid Firecannon
3DPS

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Infinity Edge
5DPS

Summoner spells

41267%
42133%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Guardian Angel
5vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Mercurial Scimitar
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank

DPS

Infinity Edge
DPS
Endless Hunger
DPS
PrecisionPrecision
Fleet FootworkFleet Footwork
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Coup de GraceCoup de Grace
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Ability HasteAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
SmolderSmolder
NilahNilah
Passive
Neutral
Aggressive

Nilah's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Joy Unending (P)

Nilah gains increased experience from last-hitting minions along with the ability to enhance and share nearby healing and shielding from her allies.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
34s26s0.5s
64s26s0.5s1m50
94s25s0.5s1m50
114s24s0.5s1m35
164s22s0.5s1m20
184s22s0.5s1m20

Playing against Nilah

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Nilah's W blocks autos — switch to abilities or wait for the zone to expire.

2

Poke her at range: as a melee ADC, she's weak against ranged harassment.

3

Watch out for her XP advantage: she can hit level 6 before you and all-in with R.

4

Mage supports (Brand, Zyra) counter her because they don't rely on the autos that her W blocks.

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