Nasus

Master Tier Champion Guide

Identity

Nasus is an infinitely scaling juggernaut who transforms from a weak laner into an unstoppable force. He is unique in his ability to gain permanent bonus damage on his Siphoning Strike (Q) by last-hitting, allowing him to build full tank while still dealing massive damage. His simple mechanics make him an excellent champion for learning game fundamentals like wave management and macro play, as his success is almost entirely dependent on surviving the early game to reach his powerful mid-game spike.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

Powerful Mid Game Spike: Nasus’s mid game is really strong if played correctly, peaking when he finishes core items like Trinity Force.
Exceptional Scaling/Dueling: He is a punishing champion who becomes a really good duelist and has strong 1v2 potential once he acquires stacks and items.
Macro Improvement Tool: Playing Nasus helps players learn Macro since the champion is entirely dependent on smart wave management and map movement.

Weaknesses

Extreme Immobility: Nasus is an immobile champion who gets easily kited, making Ghost mandatory.
Weak Early Game Vulnerability: The first 10 to 15 minutes decide how the game will go. He is very weak early and is susceptible to being bullied and zoned.
Late Game Fall-Off: Despite popular belief, Nasus falls off after the 35-minute mark in high elo due to being easily kited by late-game items.

Laning Phase

The laning phase is the most critical aspect of Nasus's game. Your primary goal is survival and maintaining XP difference.

Early Survival (Levels 1-5)

Prioritize Survival: You must prioritize surviving the laning phase over blindly stacking. In higher elos, one death can end your laning phase or the game.
Start E (Spirit Fire) in Hard Matchups: Against dangerous early-game champions like Zed, Vayne, or Talon, start with Spirit Fire (E). There is no point wasting a Siphoning Strike (Q) for 3 stacks if it gets you killed.
CS/XP Management: Against lane bullies, you will be behind in CS, so focus on getting as many CS as possible while farming under your tower. XP plays a major role; try to be even or ahead in experience.
Trading: An equal trade is worth it for Nasus due to his passive lifesteal (Soul Eater). If you are low health, buy Doran's Shield instead of Health Potion components to prevent being easily dove.

Should I play Top or Mid Nasus?

If your goal is to climb above Diamond 4, you should play Nasus Midlane. This is because midlane matchups are often easier (many are mages), stacking is simpler, and a frozen wave in midlane isn't as devastating as it is in top lane. Top lane Nasus has many unplayable matchups if the opponent understands wave management.

Hitting the Sheen Spike

First Back: Your first major item spike is Sheen. This item is crucial for sustain and recovering damage from opponents.
Dueling in Low Elo: In lower elos, if your opponent disrespects you by trading inside your minion wave, do not be afraid to open your Ultimate (R) and duel him, especially when running Lethal Tempo.

Macro and Teamfights

Nasus transitions from a desperate farmer to a fearsome duelist in the mid game, but his team fight execution is highly reliant on good timing and positioning.

Late Game Teamfighting

Target Selection: Your main target should be the easy targets. If the enemy team has an immobile champion, use Wither (W) on them and run them down.
Ultimate Use: Your Ultimate (Fury of the Sands) makes you a bruiser in the earlier stages of the game. When low health, yourR combines with Last Stand and your passive lifesteal to make you strongest when your HP is below 25%.
Late Game Caution: In the late game (after 35 minutes), it is pointless to sidelane for more stacks. Instead, group with your teammates and wait for the enemy team's mistake, or play for major objectives like Elder Dragon and Baron Nashor.

Mid Game (Biggest Spike)

Sidelane Pressure (with Sums): Mid game is Nasus's biggest spike. If you have Ghost and Flash ready, you should be sidelaning on the opposite side of the current objective.
Forcing Advantage: If you are strong enough to handle 1v2 situations in the side lane, you are automatically forcing a 4v3 advantage for your team at the objective (Drake/Baron).
Grouping Rule: Avoid grouping up without your core engage spells (Flash and Ghost). You should only participate in Drake fights if your summoner spells are ready, or if it is a soul-point Drake.

Key Combos

The Full Commit All-In (Target Lock Down)

Auto

Using Ghost and Flash together is considered essential, as Nasus is 'trash' without Ghost outside the laning phase. The goal is to use Wither (W) to prevent the enemy from escaping your highly-stacked Q attacks.

Quick Trade/Sustain (Early Game)

Auto

In lanes where you run Fleet Footwork, you use the movement speed to get in a quick Q trade and retreat, sustaining with your passive and Fleet healing.

Tips & Tricks

Abilities

General

Ghost and Flash are Mandatory: Always run Flash and Ghost. Ghost is the only resource Nasus has to combat his lack of mobility, which is why he struggles without it. Never remove Flash from your kit.

Against matchups where running the enemy down is possible (E.g., Jayce, Twisted Fate, Veigar), prioritize putting points into W at level 8 to enable all-ins.

Item Synergies

Ionian Boots of Lucidity Priority

You should almost always buy Ionian Boots of Lucidity. They provide 20 ability haste and 12 Summoner Spell haste, which is crucial for having Ghost and Flash ready sooner. Only deviate for Plated Steelcaps or Mercury's Treads in specific CC/heavy damage scenarios.

Core Itemization is Key

Focus on completing your core items quickly: Trinity Force (great dueling item), Frozen Heart (excellent against AD/On-Hit due to its attack speed reduction), Spirit Visage (boosts healing/shielding by 25%, synergizing with passive and R), and Sterak's Gage (synergizes well with R).

Anti-Heal Trick

If you need anti-healing, buy Executioner's Calling but do not upgrade it to Thornmail until you are finishing your last item. The component already applies anti-heal, and you want to finish your core items as fast as possible.