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My Nidalee

Blogs > Riku
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Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-11-29 07:17:56
September 20 2011 02:52 GMT
#1
As many are aware, I am very passionate about League of Legends and the character from it, Nidalee. While I by no means the best Nidalee player, she is the character I am best with by far, and I have a fairly unique play style that I rarely see. As Nidalee would say, "I will guide you."

This guide will be written for those who are "knowledgeable" about Nidalee. If you wish to read about her moves, their scaling, etc, check out this link: http://leagueoflegends.wikia.com/wiki/Nidalee_the_Bestial_Huntress

For masteries, I go 9/0/21

I'm not set on my runes yet, but I am thinking of going 6 magic pen reds, 3 arpen reds, mana regen yellows, ap blues and arpen quints. The arpen reds optimize low level auto-attack harassment, while the ap and magic pen runes take over from level four on, where your spears start to count.


Starting the Game:

As a starting items, I almost always buy boots, a health pot and two mana pots.
[image loading][image loading][image loading]

However, an alternative option is to buy a Dorian's Ring.
[image loading]

I buy my items as quickly as possible and rank up my W (Bushwack), then run to trap the area. If the enemy team has a jungler, I trap the following spots:

[image loading]

If they don't, I put traps all over the bushes in my lane, river and by the enemy's turret. You can lay down a surprising number of traps before minions spawn.

Laning Phase:

I try to make good use of Bushwhack during initial laning, because it deals a decent amount of damage at low levels. As I am usually solo top, I keep 2-3 traps in the top bushes at all times.

Upon reaching level 2, I get my E (Primal Surge). I try to really minimize the damage I take in the laning phase, but I am not shy about using primal surge both to keep myself healed and to harass. The increased attackspeed with the armor pen is not something that can be ignored by your laning opponents.

At level 3, I take Q (Javelin Toss) and keep that maxed the rest of the game (second to maxing R, of course). Since the sustain nerf, I've found this really is the best way to go. I still level W last, though.

With my spear, trap and auto-attack harassment with a spear to finish, I often can get a kill in before level 6. If not, hitting 6 is almost an instant kill. I make sure the enemy is allowed to push when I am nearing 6 so I can finish them before they get to the tower.

I prefer cat harassment upon hitting level 6 to autoattack and spear harassment, as it is "free" and generally scares people away better due to the burst. It's best to wait in one of the bushes until they get close, queue up Q, W in, hit E, let an autoattack go off, then pounce (W) out. This combination will deal 1/3 of almost any champions life with just Dorian's Ring. Since W allows you to move faster than other champions and damages, it is best to chase them right up to their turret before switching back to human form to try to spear. Since you should have traps around their tower, they should be forced to hit a trap or run in a predictable path that will make them easier to hit with Javelin Toss.

Rinse and repeat until the end of laning phase. If you have to b, buy Ionian Boots of Lucidity first and Blasting Wand second:
[image loading][image loading]

Turn the Blasting Wand into a Rod of Ages.
[image loading]

Rod of Ages will help ease the rest of your laning phase and give you increased survivability. Combined with the resistances of cougar form, Nidalee does not need to worry about being seen as squishy in late game play, even if no other defensive items are built.

An alternative first item is a Guinsoo's RageBlade.
[image loading]

Guinsoo's Rageblade is still a very good item, especially for cougar-heavy play. Getting it early gives a massive damage advantage and greatly increases the potency of cougar form. It also allows Nidalee to push towers much faster than most teams expect her to, so it is easy to slip into a lane and quickly destroy a tower with Guinsoo's Rageblade + Primal Surge. However, I recommend a straight AP build if your team does not need another pusher so you can specialize in high damage poking instead.

Midgame and Endgame:

Nidalee traps are important for additional map control. I try to keep them in these places:

[image loading]

I finish my build with these items and generally a defensive item, getting Sheen first:

[image loading][image loading][image loading]

As the game progressive, Javelin Toss gets more and more powerful, but cat form is never to be underestimated. The key with Nidalee is knowing when to jump in and when to jump out.

It's important to remember that supporting your team is just as important for Nidalee as killing the other team is. Healing your team is very important, especially in team fights. Getting blue buff makes Nidalee especially powerful with this. Also, make sure to Primal Surge your AD carry in fights and at turrets, unless someone else is about to die from low hp.

So, push, poke, melee and heal. Nidalee does it all and needs to do it all! It takes practice to get the "feel" for her cooldowns that you can't see (for example, knowing when your Primal Surge is about to come up while in Cougar Form).


As for additional information. Pounce's wall jumping ability is priceless. These aren't all of the possible jumps, but there are a few:
+ Show Spoiler +
[image loading]




Any questions?



*
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Phtes
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States370 Posts
September 20 2011 02:56 GMT
#2
League of legends sub forum?

Other than that, it looks almost like an exact copy of the Solomid.net guide, other than the Lucidity Boots due to the patch, even the pictures are from that guide. Not sure what to say other than this is the most standard nidalee build, used by most =/

The only thing is you should switch between LB and Deathcap first depending on team comps.
I'm Your Phtes o.0 **SKT1 For Life!**
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
September 20 2011 03:03 GMT
#3
On September 20 2011 11:56 Phtes wrote:
League of legends sub forum?

Other than that, it looks almost like an exact copy of the Solomid.net guide, other than the Lucidity Boots due to the patch, even the pictures are from that guide. Not sure what to say other than this is the most standard nidalee build, used by most =/

The only thing is you should switch between LB and Deathcap first depending on team comps.


Clearly, people build similarly, but I can assure you that there is a lot of information in there that you won't find in any other guide.

Also, I haven't seen a single freaking guide that says to go Bushwhack first.

Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 20 2011 03:15 GMT
#4
Whoaa, I never knew you could pounce through those places.

Pretty nice guide though it should be in the LoL subforum. I kinda like starting w too..
derp
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
September 20 2011 03:19 GMT
#5
On September 20 2011 12:15 Jaso wrote:
Whoaa, I never knew you could pounce through those places.

Pretty nice guide though it should be in the LoL subforum. I kinda like starting w too..


It's more of a personal thing, I don't want to propose it as a true guide. I mean... I haven't even really decided on my runes since they removed dodge from cougar.

Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Jaso
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States2147 Posts
September 20 2011 03:23 GMT
#6
Hmm.. You could post it in the Nidalee thread (if there is one).

What do you think of armor seals? That's what I run right now; might look at hp/lvl too, mainly because of the mp5 nerf
derp
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
September 20 2011 03:25 GMT
#7
On September 20 2011 12:23 Jaso wrote:
Hmm.. You could post it in the Nidalee thread (if there is one).

What do you think of armor seals? That's what I run right now; might look at hp/lvl too, mainly because of the mp5 nerf


I have been debating using those, I do have a full set of them and they are good, but I generally find myself avoiding most physical damage, so I'm unsure.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
howerpower
Profile Blog Joined June 2010
United States619 Posts
September 20 2011 03:38 GMT
#8
spam spear, profit.
blah
sesmc
Profile Joined February 2010
China61 Posts
September 20 2011 03:46 GMT
#9
Since you put some thought into this, a big Plus for the newer players out there, the guide definitely belong to the sub-forum.

However, this is the most generic build on Nidalee since the dawn of the hero. runes and masteries wise, even your idea of no one going bushwack first, has all been done before. You really need to do some research prior.
不要跟我比懒,我懒得跟你比
Riku
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States1064 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-20 04:22:38
September 20 2011 04:20 GMT
#10
On September 20 2011 12:46 sesmc wrote:
Since you put some thought into this, a big Plus for the newer players out there, the guide definitely belong to the sub-forum.

However, this is the most generic build on Nidalee since the dawn of the hero. runes and masteries wise, even your idea of no one going bushwack first, has all been done before. You really need to do some research prior.


I've done tons of research.

This guide is more for gameplay than for build.

:/

I've read many, many guides and gotten advice from Rioters, CLG and you name it.

Just because it isn't a 100% original idea, I don't see why that's a reason to downvote and diss on it.


Edit: ALSO, THIS BLOG IS TITLED "MY NIDALEE" FOR A REASON. This isn't a "NIDALEE GUIDE," this isn't "UNIQUE NIDALEE ADVICE FROM RIKU," this is me telling my readers how I play Nidalee.
Creative Director, CEO at Stumbling Cat, Writer for Broken Joysticks - Twitter: @RikuKat
Seeker *
Profile Blog Joined April 2005
Where dat snitch at?37063 Posts
September 20 2011 04:23 GMT
#11
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=166504

There you go. Help other people by adding your Nidalee info on there
ModeratorPeople ask me, "Seeker, what are you seeking?" My answer? "Sleep, damn it! Always sleep!"
TL+ Member
RogerX
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
New Zealand3180 Posts
September 20 2011 04:35 GMT
#12
Rikuuu!! Add me and lets play!!! When I play someone like Nidalee I start off with 2-3 Dorans ring to be able to spam spears and abuse early play.
Stick it up. take it up. step aside and see the world
Tamel
Profile Joined March 2011
United States166 Posts
September 20 2011 04:40 GMT
#13
Love the guide in all.

Some things I feel like that can be added to make it a more amazing guide:
- Talking about nidalee's recent (overall) nerfs and how they affect her playstyle (I honestly don't know much about this since I don't play her, so if I wrong then ignore this)
- should have some mention about elixirs since they are amazing, and which to prioritize (I'd assume blue,red,green)
- should also list some situational items, because honestly having a set build with no alternatives generally isn't great (in my opinion)
- can also explain why you would choose the runs that you picked
- talk more about the laning phase, and possibly give some suggestions if you are stomping your opponent or if you you are being out-laned

This is just my opinion, do whatever you want since it is your guide

oh and annie is da bomb :D (sorry me not a nid fan)
chocolatebunny
Profile Joined September 2011
301 Posts
September 20 2011 04:51 GMT
#14
just saying. before you jump over those walls it helps to face the wall and then press h and then pounce.
Phtes
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States370 Posts
September 20 2011 05:03 GMT
#15
On September 20 2011 13:20 Riku wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 20 2011 12:46 sesmc wrote:
Since you put some thought into this, a big Plus for the newer players out there, the guide definitely belong to the sub-forum.

However, this is the most generic build on Nidalee since the dawn of the hero. runes and masteries wise, even your idea of no one going bushwack first, has all been done before. You really need to do some research prior.


I've done tons of research.

This guide is more for gameplay than for build.

:/

I've read many, many guides and gotten advice from Rioters, CLG and you name it.

Just because it isn't a 100% original idea, I don't see why that's a reason to downvote and diss on it.


Edit: ALSO, THIS BLOG IS TITLED "MY NIDALEE" FOR A REASON. This isn't a "NIDALEE GUIDE," this isn't "UNIQUE NIDALEE ADVICE FROM RIKU," this is me telling my readers how I play Nidalee.



I think hes more or less pointing out the
and I have a fairly unique play style that I rarely see. As Nidalee would say, "I will guide you."

when really everything about your play style is extremely common knowledge for any player, or can be aquired from any solomid.net guide and nothing about it is unique.
I'm Your Phtes o.0 **SKT1 For Life!**
Azerbaijan
Profile Blog Joined January 2010
United States660 Posts
September 20 2011 05:05 GMT
#16
Why do so many people have to bash?
Could it have gone in the subforum? Yes
Is it wrong to put it in blogs? No

I may buy Nidalee when I have enough IP again, she seems fun and I like the whole super mobile champion with more than 4 abilities thing. I play Lee Sin
Also I want to be like HotshotGG and 2 shot people with pro spears come endgame.

Spiffeh
Profile Joined May 2010
United States830 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-09-20 05:13:42
September 20 2011 05:12 GMT
#17
Yeah a lot of this stuff is common knowledge if you just read a solomid guide. It's nice you put touches on it though. Varying your item choices to account for what your opponent is building is the best way to build any character.
tobi9999
Profile Joined April 2009
United States1966 Posts
September 20 2011 05:35 GMT
#18
I hate ionian boots of lucidity, Merc Treads are the best boots IMO.

Or at least that's what I used to think.... I've been trying out this new build recently

Now I start my build doran rings combined with philostone to not get raped in lane top. Then I get ionian boots of lucidity and then blasting wand/needlessly large rod.

After that I turn philostone into eleisas miracle for the Tenacity.

at around 25 minutes on average I have this and I have pushed already to inhibitor tower. Constantly ward the crap out of their jungle then keep afk pushing. With needlessly large rod your heal doesn't suck too bad and you can sustain yourself as well as dish out damage with your skills. with the 35 tenacity from eleisas , and cougar form I don't think it's possible to get caught by less than 4 people coming to gank you.

Nidalee is no longer a team fight hero as her heal doesn't do shit. Her only function is to split push in my opinion.

Because of this, I always run teleport/flash.

Also, I don't feel like it's wise to skill until at least blue buff on your side has spawned. You never know if a 50 hp can save you/someone else. Or if a spear can get you first blood.

"tobi is ur iq 9999? cuz i think it might be u so smart wowowow." -Artosis
1oo
Profile Joined April 2011
Portugal876 Posts
September 20 2011 06:03 GMT
#19
A nice and informative guide , altho i build my nid allways around those spears, gotta love them.
At the top of the game, we play by diferent rules.
Sotamursu
Profile Joined June 2010
Finland612 Posts
September 20 2011 07:58 GMT
#20
On September 20 2011 14:03 Phtes wrote:
Show nested quote +
On September 20 2011 13:20 Riku wrote:
On September 20 2011 12:46 sesmc wrote:
Since you put some thought into this, a big Plus for the newer players out there, the guide definitely belong to the sub-forum.

However, this is the most generic build on Nidalee since the dawn of the hero. runes and masteries wise, even your idea of no one going bushwack first, has all been done before. You really need to do some research prior.


I've done tons of research.

This guide is more for gameplay than for build.

:/

I've read many, many guides and gotten advice from Rioters, CLG and you name it.

Just because it isn't a 100% original idea, I don't see why that's a reason to downvote and diss on it.


Edit: ALSO, THIS BLOG IS TITLED "MY NIDALEE" FOR A REASON. This isn't a "NIDALEE GUIDE," this isn't "UNIQUE NIDALEE ADVICE FROM RIKU," this is me telling my readers how I play Nidalee.



I think hes more or less pointing out the
Show nested quote +
and I have a fairly unique play style that I rarely see. As Nidalee would say, "I will guide you."

when really everything about your play style is extremely common knowledge for any player, or can be aquired from any solomid.net guide and nothing about it is unique.

Come on, man. Don't ruin it for her. She wants to believe she's actually doing something unique. It's the same deal with all of her blogs.
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