Nasus (guides)
The curator of sands
M
August 12th, 2022 ⸱ 19 min read
Regular player
Hello, reader. I am a League of Legends player. I love playing top, but on ranks, i mostly use
Nasus
A description about Nasus
Nasus is actaully a low-elo champion. The lower your rank, the higher chance to win the game. Only because he isn't given much attention as given on low ranks. When you rise up, it is harder to play as him. I don't say that you cannot play on high elo, but you get more focused and being bullied, so they will not let you stack. A champion with low mobility skills, but he can slow others. If you play your cards right, you will be afeared beast on late game.
Pros
Cons
On early game, he is really weak and he can be killed by most of the enemies on 1 vs 1
He is really dependent on his 
Siphoning Strike He has no mobility, so it is hard to chase someone, especially when the enemy uses dashes or immobolize abilities.
As long you get higher on elo, the enemies are gonna focus on you, more, so you don't get enough stacks.
Runes (Loadout)
Obviously, this is the recent famous rune build for
Nasus
- Usual runes
- Spells changer
- Good ol' grasp.
Usual Runes
First of all,
can be great for extra health and movement speed. It can be useful when you need a bit of health and to move away from an enemy's ability. it helps.
could be nice against tanks, but it is useful only when you are quick enough. You don't need it much, since you have your 
Spirit FireAs about
, attack speed isn't much useful to you. maybe in early game, but still not necessary.
was a good rune for Nasus
can be useful for 1 vs 1, especially when you want to survive after the enemy uses on you. but you have to finish him before he finishes you. and extra gold can come in handy.
can be actually useful too with Nasus
It can be a great rune for Nasus
is really helpful, since one of Nasus
isn't such useful. Like we said, attack speed doesn't matter much for that champion.
is really good, but you already have life steal, thanks with his passive 
Soul Eater
is perfect, so you can mostly keep going, even with low hp. a great rune for surviving and fighting.
your Siphoning Strike
that's a nope. Hardly you will find someone who has much more max health than you.
For your secondary path with resolve, a
can be great against champions that poke you. Or even effects like 
Toxic Shot
is great too for... tenacity too. what else? you need it.
the rune stat shards can be scale CDR cause you need cooldown and the rest could be armor. unless you play against ap champion, so replace one shard with magic resistance.
Spells Changer
As for the alternative trees, here are some ideas. First, you get the Inspiration tree and this rune build includes the
. Since your summoner spells will be and , you can change it when someone is on cooldown for which is very useful for a top laner, especially for a champion like Nasus
is highly recommended on the second category. free boots and a bit extra movement speed.
is a big no. Even if you have the strategy for using it, you will replace the flash slot with another spell with . and it isn't worth using this, instead of .The same goes for
. it is a one-time thing, and you cannot use it for sale cause you gain no coins, or neither you can use it for a recommended item.
is a great help and also highly recommended on the third category. The others are a waste of rune.Actually,
isn't a real waste, but personally, i don't want to be in a debt and get a fee.As about
, no. Not even worth it.
For the last category, you can use
for decreasing your cooldowns. That's just perfect. but, you can use something alternative.
great for chasing. It synergizes well with 
Wither
isn't really recommended, but very handy. it synergises well with since you get free Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will
As about the secondary path and shards, are mostly the same. But I can use more detail on the next page.
Good Ol' Grasp
The next rune page is with a nice
rune. It is mostly recommended if you are a beginner, or you love trades. But you should not take it against ranged champions. It is a great rune for trades, since you gain health and max health. But you must be near the champion to take effect, since you need to hit him and gain health. And if you are thinking to change this Resolve keystone with something else, you better be joking.
Because
is totally useless. You cannot immobolise a champion as Nasus As about
, no. you are in top lane. You will be alone. Deal with it.
is undoubtely, a great keystone for the second category. It helps you destroy turrets, as a turret destroyer. The reason why this rune isn't on the other pages's secondary path, it's because you mostly need the other runes. And really, how much you need to destroy a turret?
it's useful on teamfights only. To you, it's a waste.
you can only gain shield from other champions. so just stick with .
For the rest Resolve options, it includes the other runes where you use Resove as secondary path.
For that, you need mostly the
. you become more tanky on mid-late game. It also scales pretty well with .
for this grasp page isn't really necessary. but if you play against a champion that it's attacks or abilities can make you lose health for a period of time like 
Darius
Teemo
do not leave it behind, either. It can be quiet useful, too. Especially in sudden fights.
is still useful, because of it's tenacity. But you can clearly use something else.
makes you more tanky. you can be a max health creature, which is pretty good.
helps you since you already have life steal. But on my personal opinion, you should stick with the other two keystones.
as about the secondary path, Inspiration is recommended with
and . these are for me, most useful.
Shards are mostly the same. Nothing to change. Except for the magic resistance part.
Summoner Spells (Loadout)
and is what I mostly use. I need mobility, for sure. Surely, is on the list. But you can use your spells, however you like them. Anything other summoner spell than those three, are unnecessary.Skill Path
These are the two recommended skill paths. Of course you need to max your
Siphoning Strike Wither Spirit Fire But in case you have an enemy, that doesn't let you get close enough on your minions, better take
Spirit Fire
- Primary skill path
- Secondary skill path
Nasus
Nasus
Item Builds
These are the items you mostly need in your game. But let's take a closer look.
Early stuff
You start with
because of course you need a defensive starting item. If you can get yourself 1100 coins, that's great. Since you can come back and take which is a really important item for Nasus Siphoning Strike
Main items
shall be your main item, because it can make you a damaging champion. Since it has , you are gonna be a strong puppy. But this item alone, won't help. so make sure to stack your Siphoning Strike For the next one, you better get
. A high source of armor and magic resist and some ability haste. You need to become more tanky so you can handle more fights. And the active shield is a little gift for fights against multiple champions.
is the third one you need. An item with plenty of health and attack damage. It's passive shield, sychronises pretty well with . You get shields out of nowhere.
Boots
are popular for Nasus
better use it when you have heavy ad opponents. Or better if your enemies are only ad champions.
An old popular boot for our beloved dog, since it provides tenacity. But if your enemy has no ap champions, I would say to not take it.
Other Items
So, let's start with
. When season 12 came with this items, it is highly recommended if you need mana for a tank champion. Gaining health is really necessary. If you want this, better make sure to take the early, so you can quickly get the
is the only tank item that provides grieving wounds. And those can change the effort of the game, since it makes your enemies gain less health. It is recommended to build it when your enemies gain high amount of health. But you need to build it as last item. Only the item is necessary to take it on early/mid game, since for more grieving wounds, you mus immobolize the enemy. Complete your as your last item.
is a great item, especially against heavy ap champions. If you need magic resist, surely take this, since it highly increases your healing effects. Including life steal.
can be quite popular for Nasus
is a bit overrated item for Nasus
is a great item against heavy ad champions. Better take it, only if you don't need .
Playstyle
Nasus Siphoning Strike
Early game
As
Nasus Spirit Fire
Mid/Late game
This category is mostly the same, cause there won't be much difference. If you feel strong, you can split push fast or even get into team fights. Preferably, you should have the two items
and , and as about stacks, you need to get the minutes of your game, multiplying by 200. For example, on your 15 minutes, you shall need 300 stacks. for your 20 minutes, you shall need 400 stacks. And these are the limits. Of course there would be games that you cannot gain such amount of stacks (even I personally cannot get much in few games), but the trick is to stack when you get the chance and hope your team can hold them back.
Split push
Sometimes, it is hard to win a 5vs5 fight and that's understandable. No matter the stacks you have gained or the items you got. In that case, a good chance is to split push. In mid/late game, you can do 1vs1, but usually, more than 1 enemy will chase you. if the enemy team are fighting 4vs5, push and destroy turrets. If your team can hold back your enemies, you can mostly split push and let the enemy team to chase you when they get there. You can make them lose time.
can be a huge help in that case, but in this case, you have to ONLY split push. Because if an ally comes to you, or even in teamfights, this item is a waste of space.
Matchups and Synergies
Match up can be really tough when you play as
Nasus
Better pray for your jungler to come. This champion can kill you easily with his passive
HemorrhageHe isn't a real threat, if you ask me. Sure, he can beat you easily on early, but you won't have much problem stacking. His passive
Goes Where He PleasesAnnoying, for sure. With a combo Q + E, he can manipulate you. But not hard to beat. His
JudgmentNot sure why it exists on top, but better be careful. Especially his
H-28 G Evolution TurretThe tentacle lady can be really tough. Watch your six, because her
Test of SpiritMost Jax players do not use easily their abilities until level 3. Not a tough matchup, if you ask me, but never underestimate him. With his
Counter StrikeShe is a late game champion, just like you. You can easily farm, but if she attacks you, attack back. Not sure you can 1vs1 her before level 6, though. But better take advantage of her early stage and gain stacks, cause after level 6, she can poke you.
A tough rock and hard to catch, especially with his
Seismic Shard
Unstoppable ForceIf you need a gank, your jungler surely must come before level 6. Unless you can survive inside his
Realm of Death
ObliterateHe is really hard to take him down. Better be patient and avoid his combo. Other than that, he is not much a threat.
Your brother is thirsty for your blood. His combo E1 + W + Q + E2 can be a great trade for him. so, stay back. You can have a fair fight on mid game.
She trades too and pokes you well with her abilities. Don't get comfortable around her. Gain stacks when you get the chance, and you can take her down.
This champion can also be a bully. He must not get in between you and your minions, to avoid his stun on his
FacebreakerMostly Singed players, are gonna proxy your lane. That's good for you too, because you can farm alone and gain stacks. if it is possible, talk with your jungler, to attack him. It's a free kill on early game. But on mid/late game, don't bother to chase him. Acually, never chase a Singed.
A strong bully and a gigantic pain for top laners, recently. He may even can fight 1 vs 2 on early game. Stay patient and farm. If you can control your minions, much better. But stay patient against him.
That little dancing demon was and still is a problem for Nasus players. You can take him down with 2 ganks from your jungler before level 6. After that, though, you need to take
for his mushrooms. When you gain enough stacks and items, you can take him down.You may not notice it, but after some point, he is a huge threat. He is one of the few champions that can take you down on 1vs1 on late game. When he uses his
Subjugate
Frozen DomainYou can farm easily. When he gets too comfortable to you, use your
Wither 
Undying Rage A curse on top lane. All of us can agree on that. A real bully and she can poke you. If you manage to gain some gold and some stacks (cause sooner or later, you will), you can giver her a taste of her own medicine. Of course, better be careful not to feed her, cause God help you and your team. When you gain your
, some boots, a bit of health and an amount of stacks, you have a chance. When she makes a mistake, use your Wither 
CondemnA tough match, but easily to stack when you are against him. Sure, he can poke you and dash very easily, but soon enough, he won't be match of a threat. But make sure you dodge his airborne, so you won't get ult, because you may leave your
Last BreathEnding
That's all I wanted to share about that champion. This is actually the first guide I ever made, but I suppose it will do. Of course I will come by and edit, if something new happens. I hope that guide helped you, and remember.
Have a GG.
