Support · Ranked FlexMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Nautilus vs Brand

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

Role fit

SupportNautilus

Nautilus has an established low-income Support plan with useful lane pressure, protection, engage or team utility.

Primary role

Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

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

Recommendation patch: 16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch: 16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch: 16.20.1 Data Dragon

Ranked Flex · Support

Evidence-supported Nautilus Support

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

Primary role

Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

World Atlas

400 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

First item

Solstice Sleigh

400 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

Boots

Locket of the Iron Solari

2,200 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

Core

Plated Steelcaps

1,200 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

Late

Knight's Vow

2,300 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

Flexible

Bandlepipes

2,300 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

Against repeated attacks

Frozen Heart

2,500 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingApply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.

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Best when: Apply anti-heal only when repeated healing is materially changing fights.

First itemSolstice Sleigh
BootsLocket of the Iron Solari
CorePlated Steelcaps
Morellonomicon
FlexibleBandlepipes
Against repeated attacksFrozen Heart

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.

First itemSolstice Sleigh
BootsLocket of the Iron Solari
CorePlated Steelcaps
Mikael's Blessing
FlexibleBandlepipes
Against repeated attacksFrozen Heart

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.

First itemSolstice Sleigh
BootsLocket of the Iron Solari
CorePlated Steelcaps
Shurelya's Battlesong
FlexibleBandlepipes
Against repeated attacksFrozen Heart

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsNautilusSupport

Catch, survive the return damage, then create another opening.

Ranked Flex

Primary tree

Resolve

Aftershock

Font of Life

Bone Plating

Unflinching

Secondary tree

Inspiration

Hextech Flashtraption

Cosmic Insight

Summoner spells

Flash

Ignite

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.

Matchup notes

What changes when Brand is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison

Strategic interaction

Force a direct engage

Reliable lockdown can pressure a fragile spell-focused support before poke accumulates.

Mid to late

Control and protection become clearer once teams group around objectives and carries need a front line.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Keep Vex visible before committing. The second Bot-lane champion and nearby Jungler can change whether the same engage is safe.

Ability reminders

Nautilus reminders

While ganking, consider aiming Dredge Line at nearby terrain and following it up with Riptide for a higher hit rate.
Riptide has a delayed blast timing on activation - you can use this while running away or when enemies are incoming to serve as a deterrent.

Ability reminders

Against Brand

Brand must land an ability before his combo is able to get started. Dodging his Sear or Pillar of Flame will disrupt his rhythm.
Try to move away from allies when you see Pyroclasm being cast. The initial missile speed is slow, which should give your team time to react.
Brand's passive allows him to excel against teams that cluster together. Be sure to split up against him.

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.

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.

Crowd control

Mikael's Blessing

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

Cannot start fights

Shurelya's Battlesong

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

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Nautilus

P
Staggering Blow
Nautilus' first Attack against a target deals increased physical damage and roots them briefly.
Q
Dredge Line
Nautilus hurls his anchor forward. Colliding with an enemy pulls them and Nautilus together, dealing magic damage. Colliding with terrain pulls Nautilus towards it.
Cooldown (s) 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 1150
W
Titan's Wrath
Nautilus gains a temporary Shield. While it persists, his Attacks deal damage over time to his target and surrounding enemies.
Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 350
E
Riptide
Nautilus creates three exploding waves around himself. Each explosion damages and slows enemies.
Cooldown (s) 7/6.5/6/5.5/5 · Cost 50/60/70/80/90 · Listed range (units) 600
R
Depth Charge
Nautilus fires a shockwave into the earth that chases an opponent. This shockwave rips up the earth above it, knocking enemies into the air. When it reaches the opponent, the shockwave erupts, knocking his target into the air and stunning them.
Cooldown (s) 120/100/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 825

Brand

P
Blaze
Brand's spells light his targets ablaze, dealing damage over 4 seconds, stacking up to 3 times. If Brand kills an enemy while it is ablaze he regains mana. When Blaze reaches max stacks on a Champion or large monster, it becomes unstable. It detonates in 2 seconds, applying spell effects and dealing massive damage in an area around the victim.
Q
Sear
Brand launches a ball of fire forward that deals magic damage. If the target is ablaze, Sear will stun the target.
Cooldown (s) 8/7.5/7/6.5/6 · Cost 70 · Listed range (units) 1050
W
Pillar of Flame
After a short delay, Brand creates a Pillar of Flame at a target area, dealing magic damage to enemy units within the area. Units that are ablaze take an additional 25% damage.
Cooldown (s) 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 · Cost 60/70/80/90/100 · Listed range (units) 900
E
Conflagration
Brand conjures a powerful blast at his target that spreads to nearby enemies, dealing magic damage. If the target is ablaze, Conflagration's spread is doubled.
Cooldown (s) 13/12/11/10/9 · Cost 90 · Listed range (units) 625
R
Pyroclasm
Brand unleashes a devastating torrent of fire that bounces up to 5 times off of Brand and nearby enemies, dealing magic damage to enemies each time bounce. Bounces prioritize stacking Blaze to max on Champions. If a target is ablaze, Pyroclasm will briefly slow them.
Cooldown (s) 100/90/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 750

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

Lane

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

Map play

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

Fights

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

Pings, movement and objectives

Nautilus Support map plan

Show the engage before casting it. Your best start is one your Bot carry and Jungler can reach.

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

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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Nautilus vs Brand

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SupportNautilus