VRC.LOL

Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Nidalee Support · Normal Draft

Nidalee can be selected here as a deliberate player-chosen strategy, but it is not a primary role. The pick still needs a matchup and team plan.

Player-chosen flexStandard Summoner's Rift preparation
Champion overview
Review patch unknownRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Support

Mage support reference

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Player-chosen flex
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

World Atlas

400 gold

Starts Support income and the ward quest from the assigned opening.

1
Free quest choice

Zaz'Zak's Realmspike

400 gold

Choose this free damage-focused quest upgrade after earning enough quest gold; it is not a purchased completed item.

2
First damage item

Luden's Echo

2,750 gold

Adds mana and spell impact, but its full price is slow on Support income.

3
Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 gold

Adds movement and magic penetration against low-resistance targets.

4
Long-range utility

Horizon Focus

2,700 gold

Rewards connecting a long-range spell before following with the rest of the rotation.

5
Vs resistance

Cryptbloom

3,000 gold

Adds percentage magic penetration after opponents buy meaningful resistance.

6
Anti-heal option

Morellonomicon

2,850 gold

Applies Grievous Wounds only when repeated healing is genuinely changing fights; it is not an automatic final purchase.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeCrowd controlMikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.View full route

Best when: Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  4. Mikael's Blessing
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon
AlternativeTeam gets burstLocket gives nearby allies an immediate shield when enemy burst lands together.View full route

Best when: Locket gives nearby allies an immediate shield when enemy burst lands together.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. Locket of the Iron Solari
  4. Long-range utilityHorizon Focus
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon
AlternativeCannot start fightsShurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.View full route

Best when: Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  4. Shurelya's Battlesong
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededMage support referenceRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  4. Long-range utilityHorizon Focus
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon
AlternativeCrowd controlMikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.View full route

Best when: Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  4. Mikael's Blessing
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon
AlternativeTeam gets burstLocket gives nearby allies an immediate shield when enemy burst lands together.View full route

Best when: Locket gives nearby allies an immediate shield when enemy burst lands together.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. Locket of the Iron Solari
  4. Long-range utilityHorizon Focus
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon
AlternativeCannot start fightsShurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.View full route

Best when: Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

  1. Free quest choiceZaz'Zak's Realmspike
  2. First damage itemLuden's Echo
  3. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  4. Shurelya's Battlesong
  5. Vs resistanceCryptbloom
  6. Anti-heal optionMorellonomicon

Recommendation review pending

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsNidaleeSupport

Use controlled poke and preserve the cooldown that makes the next catch safe.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree

Inspiration

Biscuit DeliveryCosmic Insight
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
Coordinate the Bot pair

Check which defensive spell the Bot partner selected before duplicating Heal, Barrier or Exhaust.

Match the lane threat

Exhaust answers a committed damage dealer; Ignite adds pressure and anti-heal; Heal protects both nearby partners.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Crowd control

Mikael's Blessing

Mikael's removes eligible crowd control from an ally; check that the effect can actually be cleansed.

Team gets burst

Locket of the Iron Solari

Locket gives nearby allies an immediate shield when enemy burst lands together.

Cannot start fights

Shurelya's Battlesong

Shurelya's movement speed helps the team engage or disengage when positioning is the problem.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.

Situational AP purchase

When should you buy anti-heal?

Buy healing reduction when enemy healing or regeneration is deciding fights and you can keep damaging the relevant target. Grievous Wounds reduces healing; it does not reduce shields, magic damage or crowd control.

Start with the component

Oblivion Orb can provide healing reduction without immediately paying for a completed Morellonomicon. Fit the component around your core damage, mana and survival needs; check the current queue's item tooltip.

Finish when it fits the fight

Complete Morellonomicon when its stats and slot efficiency suit your build. Do not treat it as a mandatory first item just because your champion deals magic damage.

Coordinate coverage

Multiple Grievous Wounds sources do not add their percentages together. Another reliable applier may cover the same target, but you may still need your own source for a separate fight or target.

Repeated spell damage and damage over time can maintain coverage more reliably than a single hit. Match the purchase to your actual spell access, enemy sustain and the teammates who can apply the debuff.

Will the fight last long enough?

If you die before dealing damage, you apply no healing reduction. If your target dies before healing, there is little healing to prevent. The debuff applies on qualifying damage immediately; it does not need to build up. It remains briefly after your last hit, so teammates can benefit even after you disengage.

Only healing during the active debuff counts. For example, 40% reduction prevents 80 of a 200-point heal, or 400 of a 1,000-point heal, before other modifiers. Compare that with the damage, penetration or survival you delayed; neither example guarantees a kill. Healing after the debuff expires is unaffected.

See the Oblivion Orb and Morellonomicon references for current effects and queue availability. These are situational decisions, not a measured best-build claim.

Kit reference

Nidalee abilities

Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.

Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive

Prowl

What it doesMoving 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.

Practical readProwl is an automatic part of the kit involving vision information. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.

Vision

This ability supplies sight or reveals its target. That information effect can matter even when damage is not the main reason to cast it.

Q
Q ability

Javelin Toss / Takedown

What it doesIn human form, Nidalee throws a spiked javelin at her target that gains damage as it flies. As a cougar, her next attack will attempt to fatally wound her target, dealing more damage the less life they have.

Practical readJavelin Toss / Takedown is a ranged cast involving damage. Respect its line or target area, and avoid spending it when the opponent can simply step away before the important exchange.

Cooldown6 secCost50/55/60/65/70Listed range1500 units
W
W ability

Bushwhack / Pounce

What it doesIn human form, Nidalee lays a trap for unwary opponents that, when sprung, damages and reveals its target. As a cougar, she jumps in a direction, dealing damage in an area where she lands.

Practical readBushwhack / Pounce creates setup or area pressure. Place it where the opponent must choose between entering its space, changing route or giving up the immediate contest.

Cooldown13/12/11/10/9 secCost30/35/40/45/50Listed range900 units
Vision

This ability supplies sight or reveals its target. That information effect can matter even when damage is not the main reason to cast it.

E
E ability

Primal Surge / Swipe

What it doesIn human form, Nidalee channels the spirit of the cougar to heal her allies and imbue them with Attack Speed for a short duration. As a cougar, she claws in a direction, dealing damage to enemies in front of her.

Practical readPrimal Surge / Swipe contributes protection or sustain and basic-attack interaction. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

Cooldown12 secCost50/55/60/65/70Listed range900 units
Cast commitment

This cast has a wind-up, charge or channel. Movement, interruption or a changing target state can matter before the effect completes.

R
Ultimate

Aspect Of The Cougar

What it doesNidalee transforms into a cougar, gaining new abilities.

Practical readAspect Of The Cougar is part of Nidalee's R pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown3 secListed range20 units

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Balance lane pressure with protection for the carry

1
Lane

Hold the ability that makes opponents respect your lane and trade when both Bot-lane partners are ready.

2
Map play

Recall and move on safe wave timings; an unsupported roam can cost the carry an entire wave or a dive.

3
Fights

Control one approach and keep enough protection for the enemy's most likely engage.

Pings, movement and objectives

Nidalee Support map plan

Turn information into a shared decision. Move with an ally and preserve the tool that makes the next fight safe.

Ahead

Make the lead open the map

Ping
Use On My Way before changing angle, then Assist Me on Dragon after Bot is safe to move. Use Danger if the carry starts following through an unsafe route.
Map movement
Roam after a pushed wave, shared recall or when the carry can collect safely. Deep wards still require the Jungler or another nearby ally.
Objective
Arrive early, clear the enemy entrance and hold the key engage or peel spell. Do not chase away from Dragon and hand the opponent a free route back in.
Even

Create one clear numbers advantage

Ping
Use On My Way before an engage or roam, Enemy Missing as soon as a lane opponent disappears, and Danger when your carry cannot follow.
Map movement
Leave only on a safe wave or recall timing. If the carry would lose a full wave or face a dive, stay Bot and communicate that you are not moving.
Objective
Help Bot finish the wave, then enter river with the Jungler. Set vision before starting and avoid turning an even objective into an unseen gamble.
Behind

Stop the next loss before seeking a play

Ping
Use Retreat or Danger before an ally enters darkness, Enemy Missing immediately, and Assist Me when you need company to restore defensive vision.
Map movement
Do not abandon a crashing wave or vulnerable carry. Move after the wave is stable and use the nearest safe ward line rather than forcing deep vision.
Objective
If your team cannot enter river safely, ping Retreat and trade for farm, vision or another map resource. Contest only after creating a safe route together.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Before the move

    Around a minute before Dragon, ping the plan, spend gold if needed and make sure Bot and Mid know whether they can move.

  2. 2
    Enter together

    Walk with the Jungler or another ally. Sweep one route, place useful entrance vision and never face-check alone.

  3. 3
    Before starting

    Check nearby waves and enemy positions. Hold the spell that either starts a reachable fight or protects your main damage dealer.

  4. 4
    During the contest

    Keep enemies away from the safe entrance, mark the reachable threat and avoid chasing so far that Dragon is left unprotected.

Later objectives: Use the same pattern for Rift Herald or Baron: communicate first, move through controlled vision with an ally, then choose engage or peel before the fight begins.

Use the guide

Put Nidalee into a real matchup

Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.

Prepare a matchupChampion overviewBrowse champions