Welcome to our guide on how to play Nautilus in League of Legends! Nautilus is a tanky, crowd control focused champion that excels in the top lane. With his strong initiation and lockdown abilities, Nautilus is a formidable force to be reckoned with. In this guide, we’ll go over his abilities, the best builds and runes for him, and the champions that counter and are countered by Nautilus. We’ll also discuss different playstyles for Nautilus in the early, mid, and late game.
Nautilus Abilities
Nautilus has a kit full of crowd control abilities that allow him to initiate fights and lock down enemies.
His Q ability is “Dredge Line”, which allows him to throw out a anchor that pulls him to the first enemy hit, dealing damage and stunning them. This ability can be used to initiate fights, catch out enemies, or escape danger.
His W ability is “Titan’s Wrath”, which provides him with a shield and increased attack damage. The shield scales with Nautilus’ maximum health, making him even tankier.
His E ability is “Riptide”, which causes him to slam his anchor down, dealing damage in an area and slowing enemies hit. This ability can be activated again to cause a shockwave that slows enemies even more.
Nautilus’ ultimate ability is “Depth Charge”, which fires a shockwave that chases and knocks up the first enemy hit. This ability can be used to initiate fights or disrupt the enemy team in team fights.
Best Nautilus Builds
Tanky Damage: Sunfire Cape, Spirit Visage, Randuin’s Omen, Mercury’s Treads, Frozen Heart
Full Tank: Thornmail, Spirit Visage, Randuin’s Omen, Mercury’s Treads, Frozen Heart
AP Tank: Liandry’s Torment, Spirit Visage, Rylai’s Crystal Scepter, Mercury’s Treads, Abyssal Mask
Best Nautilus Runes
Keystone: Aftershock
Secondary: Demolish, Bone Plating, Revitalize
Tertiary: Second Wind, Overgrowth
Champions who counter Nautilus
Garen: Garen’s passive ability, “Perseverance”, allows him to heal up quickly, making him difficult for Nautilus to take down. Garen’s silence also counters Nautilus’ initiation abilities.
Renekton: Renekton’s sustain and damage allows him to hold his own against Nautilus in the top lane. Renekton’s ability to dash and stun also makes it hard for Nautilus to lock him down.
Maokai: Maokai’s sustain and crowd control make him a tough match-up for Nautilus. Maokai’s ability to root enemies also counters Nautilus’ initiation.
Champions Nautilus counters
Yasuo: Nautilus’ strong crowd control abilities make him a good counter to Yasuo, who relies on mobility to avoid danger.
Vayne: Nautilus’ initiation and lockdown abilities make it difficult for Vayne to kite and deal damage from a distance.
Kled: Nautilus’ crowd control abilities can disrupt Kled’s charging playstyle and make it hard for him to engage.
Early Game Playstyles
In the early game, Nautilus should focus on last hitting minions and looking for opportunities to trade with the enemy laner. Nautilus’ E ability, “Riptide”, is a good tool for clearing minions and poking the enemy. Be mindful of the enemy jungler’s movements and try to ward to protect yourself from ganks.
If you’re able to secure an early lead, use your initiation abilities to set up kills for your team. Nautilus’ Q, “Dredge Line”, is particularly effective for catching out enemies.
Mid Game Playstyles
In the mid game, Nautilus should continue to focus on initiating fights for his team and disrupting the enemy team. Look for opportunities to use your ultimate, “Depth Charge”, to initiate fights or catch out enemies.
Nautilus is also a strong objective control champion, so make sure to contest objectives such as dragon and towers. Use your crowd control abilities to protect your team and secure objectives.
Late Game Playstyles
In the late game, Nautilus’ role shifts to being a frontline tank for his team. Use your crowd control abilities to disrupt the enemy team and protect your carries. Nautilus’ W ability, “Titan’s Wrath”, provides him with a strong shield that can help him survive in team fights.
Focus on positioning and try to peel for your carries, using your crowd control abilities to keep the enemy team off of them.
Conclusion
Nautilus is a strong initiation and lockdown champion that excels in the top lane. With his strong crowd control abilities and tankiness, Nautilus is a formidable force in team fights. By following the builds and runes listed in this guide, and utilizing the appropriate playstyle for each stage of the game, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable Nautilus player. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for champions who counter Nautilus, and utilize his own counter champions to gain an advantage in your games.
