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Support · SwiftplayMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Nidalee vs Vex

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

NidaleeVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneSupport

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

SupportNidalee

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 flex
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

Swiftplay · 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
Swiftplay 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

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsNidaleeSupport

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

Swiftplay
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.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

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

Nidalee reminders

  • Use brush to your advantage! Moving in and out of brush can heavily alter your effectiveness in battle.
  • Start team fights by harassing with your Javelin Toss, and then switch to cougar form to chase down Hunted targets.
  • Bushwhack traps deal damage based on their victim's current Health. Set them up in your team's backline before fights break out during sieges to help your team deal damage to the enemy frontline.

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.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

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

Nidalee

  1. P
    Prowl

    Moving 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.

  2. Q
    Javelin Toss / Takedown

    In 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.

    Cooldown (s) 6 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 1500
  3. W
    Bushwhack / Pounce

    In 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.

    Cooldown (s) 13/12/11/10/9 · Cost 30/35/40/45/50 · Listed range (units) 900
  4. E
    Primal Surge / Swipe

    In 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.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 900
  5. R
    Aspect Of The Cougar

    Nidalee transforms into a cougar, gaining new abilities.

    Cooldown (s) 3 · Listed range (units) 20

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

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.

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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