Nasus Build Guide by zorxx

Introduction

Welcome to my Nasus solo top guide. In this guide I will explain how to play as Nasus, my item, masteries and rune choises.

Some things to say:

- Everything said in this guide is MY opinion. If you don't agree with my item, runes, etc. choises let me know in the comments

- Before you downvote let me know why. Just look again after some hours or a day and I have changed something or gave you an explanation of my choise

- English is not my native language. If you see any mistakes tell me and I correct them

Lore

The enigmatic creature known as Nasus came to the League from a faraway world, and served as part of a vast and learned desert empire. There he was a respected and enlightened individual, having been made the Keeper of the Great Library. However, he was also part of a race of animalistic creatures that served as the rulers and protectors of the people. Unfortunately, there were others of his kind that believed they were more than protectors. They were under the egotistical delusion that they had ascended to become gods. War on Nasus's world was never more than a breath away, as these deluded others sought to enslave the people and establish a totalitarian sovereignty. In the midst of a heated battle, just as Nasus was about to slay his treacherous brother Renekton, he was pulled through the cosmos to a summoning circle in Runeterra.

At first angered that he had been taken just as he was about to cripple the enemies of his people, Nasus' advanced intellect won out when he heard the pleas of mercy from the summoners. He learned that Runeterra was also filled with its own brand of injustice. This danger was no less threatening than what he had fought against at home, and champions were needed to protect the people of this world. Heeding the call, Nasus chose to take his place in the League of Legends, knowing that his brothers and sisters would carry on the fight back home. These days, he is the Curator of the Sands, feeling most at home in the crumbling ruins of the Shurima Desert. However, recent disturbing news has reached the Keeper's ears - rumors that perhaps his brother had not in fact been left behind. If this were the case, the destruction of Renekton would quickly become Nasus' main priority, before this world too faces the threads of his brother's forked-tongue and endless ambition.

The Curator of the Sands, though contemplative, is not to be trifled with.

Pros / Cons

Pros:

+ Natural lifesteal
+ Has one of the best slows

Cons:

- Relies on farm
- Bad manapool
- No natural escape tools

Runes

AD runes are great on Nasus because his Siphoning Strike scales with 100% of your AD.

Armor seals are standard for solo top. Your opponent will mostly be AD, so they really help you.

These really help you if your opponent is AP like Vladimir or Rumble

Just to get more AD.

Masteries

I take only 9 points in offense because I think it's useless to put more in it. The 10% armor penetration of Weapon Expertise are good and the attack damage of Brute Force and attack speed of Alacrity . 21 points in defense are very good for solo top. You get 0 dmg from melee minions, because of Tough Skin and Indomitable . You also get more armor what makes it harder for your opponent. Also very usefull is the cooldown reduction of Enlightenment , which works great together with the cooldown reduction you get from your items.

Summoner spells

It's the best summoner spell. Just take it.

Choosing second spell

This is great for solo top, because you can go back, buy something and teleport back again to your lane, without giving your opponent an advantage because you are not in your lane.

It's nice to deal additional damage or to counter a champion that heavy relies on heal like Dr. Mundo or Warwick

+ I would not recommend taking one of them. Exhaust is useless, because of Wither and it's the same with Ghost. The only thing Ghost is good for is that Nasus can be easily kited. So if the enemy team took champions which can good kite you should take Ghost instead of Teleport.

Items

Early game

Choosing boots

Take Ninja Tabi only if you have a heavy AD problem. I would mostly recommend Mercury's Treads because of the tenacity.

GP10

These items are very usefull, because you want to have a farmlane to make your Siphoning Strike better. Philosopher's Stone helps you to stay longer in lane and can be upgraded to Shurelya's Reverie, but it will mostly be selled and replaced by Force of Nature. Heart of Gold gives you more health and will be upgraded to Randuin's Omen.

Mid/late game

Core items

Trinity Force is great on Nasus. Sheen is like the best item for Nasus because of Siphoning Strike. Frozen Heart is for more mana, armor and cooldown reduction. Almost every item you get gives you cooldown reduction, what makes your Siphoning Strike have almost no cooldown.

Recommended items

It has a nice passive, which works great together with your natural lifesteal. It also gives you cooldown reduction.

Also a great passive. This is great on Nasus because he needs to be very tanky. You get some cooldown reduction too.

I finally take this item to get more magic resistence, because you don't have any so far. Sell Philosopher's Stone to have a free slot for it.

Situational items

Shurelya's Reverie If the enemy team has no or only 1 AP champion upgrade your Philosopher's stone to it, instead of getting Force of Nature

This is very usefull for Nasus, because he has not much mana. If your opponent is AP ( Rumble, Vladimir, Teemo) get this instead of Philosopher's Stone. But don't upgrade it. You will sell it later to get an item like Force of Nature.

Abilities, skill sequence and how to use them

Your abilities

Skill sequence

I max Siphoning Strike first because it's your main damage tool. In my opinion maxing Wither second is better than Spirit Fire because it really helps you to get kills or to slow your opponent if you get ganked, because you have no natural escape tools. If the enemy team has no jungler and you are in a 2vs1 lane I recommend maxing Spirit Fire first to be able to farm.

How to use them

You need to last hit with this skill to increase its damage. If you don't to this you will have a problem in lategame.

There are 3 uses of this ability:
1. Use it on your lane opponent so he can't run and gets weaker.
2. If you get ganked, use it on the champion who is more dangerous and try to escape.
3. In teamfights use it on their AD carry, so he has no attack speed.

This ability has 2 uses:
1. Use it to farm if you are in a 2vs1 lane.
2. Use it in teamfights, to lower your enemies armor.

This is incredible great for teamfights, because all enemies around you get damaged.
If you are in a 1vs1 fight and you are loosing just use it. Your opponent won't have a chance if he is not extremly fed.

Counters

Nasus is strong against:

+ Hecarim
+ Irelia
+ Tryndamere
+ Sion
+ Jax
+ Singed
+ Darius
+ Rengar

Nasus is weak against:

- Riven
- Teemo
- Olaf
- Garen
- Rumble
- Renekton
- Vladimir
- Fiora
- Yorick

Mechanics that counter Nasus:

+ Deny early game farm

Summary

I hope I was able to help you with my guide. I know it is not very long, but I explained everything you need to know if you want to play solo top with Nasus.