Hi everyone, I am Puck333. I am Silver V and i didn't play a single ranked match with Nidalee. Although, i really like to play her. At first, i tried her as a jngl but i totally failed. That was when i decided to play her on top (because top is a lot easier than jngl) and i really liked playing her there. That is why i made this guide, to help people who are planning to play Nidalee on top lane (or somewhere else, of course XD). :D.

(This is my first guide ever, so i hope you all like it! :D)

Nidalee top, you won't expect it but it works great. I think that Nidalee is much better on top than in the jungle. This is because of many reasons.

1: Spears. You will be able to make use of your spear much more than in the jungle. As a jngl Nidalee, the only situation where you can use your spear is with ganking. This is because of the distance rule: "how further the distance, how more damage the spear does if it hits". In the jungle, you can't stand to far away from the monsters (they will walk back if you try) and if you come across the enemy jungler, one of you probably was in a bush so you aren't far away too. On top lane, you can keep an eye on the enemy and you will have all space to throw your spears from a distance.

2: The bushes. I also speak of this in "Unique Skills" but i will explain it here too. Nidalee can get up to 30% more movement speed in the bushes. This is very nice if you are chasing an enemy. I think you can make better use of this on top lane because there the bushes are almost one stroke. In the jungle, you get a bit movement speed each time but on top you really can run a big part without losing your movement speed.

3: Your turret. Nidalee is a bit squisy, so it is nice to have a strong turret to have your back. If you get ganked, you can easily Flash and Pounce back to your turret.


This are the three biggest reasons that Nidalee on top is great. At the beginning people will probably don't understand you and say things like "Wut? Nidalee top?", "Nidalee, i am jngl not you" and "Nidalee top? Are you sure?". Just ignore this! :D Nidalee top is great and you really have to try! :)

Okay, the runes. First, domination. Electrocute is just better for Nidalee than Predator and Dark Harvest. You really give her more damage. Sudden Impact is just really great to boost your attack after you pounced to an enemy. I prefer Eyeball Collection above Zombie Ward and Ghost Poro. Ghost Poro is only great if you play her in jngl and Zombie ward isn't really neccecary if you place enough traps on the bushes. Relentless Hunter is just because i like that more, especcially because Nidalee's def isn't the best ever.

I choose Celerity because that works great in combination with Relentless Hunter (really great boost at your (out of combat) MS). Gathering storm is just nice for extra damge in especially late game.

Just buy items that boost your AP, the rest depends on the game.

I know sometimes the items aren't showing up on the guide. If this bugs is there again, this is the best build:

Start: Doran's Ring, 2X Health Potion.

Full build against an AP champ: Mercury's treads, Luden's Echo, Banshee's veil, Spellbinder, Rabadon's Deathcap, Liandry's torment.

Full build against an AD champ: Ninja Tabi, Luden's Echo, Zhonya's Hourglass, Spellbinder, Rabadon's Deathcap, Liandry's torment.

I think these items are simple the best for Nidalee.

The items I recommend to buy at the first back to base are Lost Chapter and Boots of Speed. This is because it is great that your movement speed will get a little boost and more AP is nice too. If you don't have enough money you can always buy a part of Lost Chapter.

The best way to upgrade her skills is boosting Q as fast as possible to the max. Bring W and E both to level 2 and max E after that. End with maxing your E. (And always boost your R when that is possible, of course)

Flash is great in combination with Pounce and Javalin Toss. Throw your spear, Flash foreward and Pounce at the enemy.

Teleport just gives you the change to do a quick recall without missing too much minions.

If you have a high mastery with Nidalee, don't be shy to show that. It will scare the enemy of if they see you are mastery seven, really. :p

Pros: Nidalee can do a great amount of damage in a few seconds if you make a good combination. She is quick and her cougar form attacks have no cost, so you can use her Pounce to dodge attacks too.

Cons: She is a bit squishy. If you get stunned and there is a strong enemy nearby, you are doomed.

Nidalee can use her Primal Surge on allies too, they will be happy if you do.

Don't forget that all her cougar form skills are free. They cost no mana at all. Don't fear to use them a lot if you farm. It will really boost your creep score, especially when you aren't the best farmer ever (like me).

Remain aware of what form you are in, cougar or human. Sometimes if you have to help mid very quick, you go into your cougar form to go faster. If you arrive, you probably want to throw a spear, don't forget to change back because you won't be able to do that attack in your cougar form.(This sounds very dumb but believe me, it was a real struggle for me).

Another great thing about Nidalee is that she is quicker if she walks through bushes. The top lane has three bushes so that is great. If you are chasing an enemy, don't forget to make use of your speed in the bushes.

A very important thing is to keep distance. If you throw your Javalin Toss from very far, it will do more damage if it hits the enemy. Just keep throwing spears untill your enemy is low. Only if the enemy is low, engage in your cougar form.

Nidalee is great to farm with, you just need to practise a bit. I think there are two ways to farm with Nidalee.

1: Farming if the enemy is nearby:
In this case i recommend farming with your basic attack. Just keep distance and try only to last hit the minions, don't waste to much focus on lowering them.

2: Farming if the enemy isn't nearby:
In this case i recommend farming in your cougar form. Just Pounce in a group of minions and fire all possible attack on them (believe me, this works). You will hit more minions at once with your Swipe attack and with Takedown, you can finish the cannon minions because you really don't want to miss them.

Nidalee is a hard champion. Don't give up if you fail at your first matches. She is a very strong champ if you learn how to play her.