Nasus Review

Welcome to the world of Nasus, the jackal-headed Juggernaut who’s been stomping the Rift since October 1, 2009. If you’re wondering why I want to review this champion, it’s simple – Nasus is cool, and his laning phase is pure annoyance for the enemy team. In this article, we’re diving into the lore, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, the best items, and much more about Nasus. So, brace yourselves, summoners, because we’re about to embark on an epic journey with the Curator of the Sands!

Lore

Nasus isn’t just a hulking powerhouse; he’s got a story that’s as fascinating as his gameplay. Hailing from ancient Shurima, he’s a heroic figure, almost like a demigod, deeply revered by the desert-dwelling people. He was the guardian of knowledge and a strategic genius who led Shurima to greatness for centuries. But, as the empire crumbled, Nasus took off into self-imposed exile, becoming more of a legend than a living being. With the resurrection of Shurima, he’s back, determined to protect the city from falling again. He’s got the look to match – a jackal-headed figure, golden Shuriman armor, and those glowing blue eyes that say, “I mean business.”

Champion Abilities

Nasus packs a sandstorm of abilities:

Passive – Soul Eater: Nasus chomps on his foe’s spiritual energy, gaining bonus Life Steal. It’s like he’s stealing their lunch money and getting stronger!

Q – Siphoning Strike: Nasus swings a devastating blow, dealing damage and, if he kills the target, making his future Siphoning Strikes hit like a truck. It’s like a stack-building bonanza.

W – Wither: Nasus ages an enemy champion, slowing their Move Speed and Attack Speed over time. This ability screams “You shall not pass!”

E – Spirit Fire: Nasus brings the heat, unleashing a spirit flame that damages foes and makes their Armor crumble. It’s like a fiery barbeque for your enemies.

R – Fury of the Sands: Nasus unleashes a massive sandstorm, bashing nearby foes. He gains more Health, extended Attack Range, reduced Siphoning Strike cooldown, and extra Armor and Magic Resistance. It’s time to bring the storm!

Advantages and Disadvantages of Nasus

Pros:

• Easy mechanics make him accessible.
• Playing Nasus teaches you valuable macro skills.
• He shines in the mid-game when played correctly.
• Nasus is a strong duelist and applies pressure across the map.
• Punishing champion that excels in 1v2 situations.

Cons:

• Nasus struggles in the early game.
• His fate is often sealed in the first 10-15 minutes.
• Vulnerable to kiting and various counter items.
• Not great in early skirmishes.
• Falls off after the 35-minute mark, so late-game strategies are essential.

Best Items for Nasus

 Diving into Nasus’s itemization, there are some must-have choices. First off, Divine Sunderer is your go-to. It’s far superior to Trinity Force due to the added value it provides. The Mythic passive, which empowers other Legendary items with armor and magic penetration, synergizes perfectly with Nasus’s auto attack resets. Plus, it helps against tanky foes.

 For your second item, consider Gargoyle Stoneplate. It gives you ability haste, armor, magic resist, and a decaying shield that pairs well with Nasus’s R.

 When it comes to boots, go for Ionian Boots of Lucidity. They offer ability haste and reduced summoner spell cooldowns, which can be a game-changer.

 In situational scenarios, grab Spirit Visage to enhance your healing and shielding or Thornmail as your anti-healing item.

Best Lanes and Roles for Nasus

Nasus is a force to be reckoned with in the top lane. While he might struggle in the early game, once he hits the late game and racks up stacks from Siphoning Strike, he becomes a one-shot machine.

But, Nasus can also make his mark in the mid lane. Here, it’s easier to stack, and you’ll likely accumulate more stacks than in the top lane. Options, options!

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

Nasus excels against champions like Briar and Kayle in the mid lane but has a tough time facing Sylas and Rengar. Remember, it’s best to avoid these matchups if you want to keep your cool.

Now that we’ve covered champion matchups, let’s talk about the cost of picking up Nasus in 2023.

Price of Nasus in 2023

As of 2023, Nasus can be unlocked in your roster for 1350 Blue Essence or 585 Riot Points. Now, let’s dive into my feedback.

My Feedback

Having Nasus in your roster can be a game-changer. Nasus’s strength lies in focusing on a single target, especially with Wither. But remember, it’s not a one-way street. Here are some key takeaways:

• Use numerical advantage to overcome Nasus.
• Exploit Nasus’s weak laning phase.
• Consider anti-tank champions.
• Employ kiting strategies, especially with ADCs.
• Utilize hard crowd control.
• Nasus is most threatening in the mid-game.

And if you’re looking for an ultimate guide on Nasus in 2023, check out this guide. Now, let’s move on to the best skins for Nasus.

Best Skins for Nasus

Nasus has a wardrobe that’s as diverse as his abilities. Here are the top picks:

• Dreadknight Nasus: Cool but relatively pricey at 975 RP.
• Galactic Nasus: A reasonable option at 520 RP but doesn’t fully embrace the theme.
• Worldbreaker Nasus: Simple and effective with vibrant colors.
• Battlecast Nasus: High quality, but the color change might irk some players.
• Pharaoh Nasus: A budget-friendly option that fits the Egyptian theme perfectly.
• Space Groove Nasus: Goofy and unique, with some shortcomings in ability visuals.
• Riot K-9 Nasus: A simple yet charming legacy skin with nostalgia appeal.
• Lunar Guardian Nasus: Well-crafted and powerful, especially for the ultimate.
• Archduke Nasus: Hilarious and elegant, offering a fun and affordable choice.
• Infernal Nasus: Truly menacing and impressive, for those who want to embrace the dark side.

Now, let’s wrap things up with some Nasus tricks and interesting facts.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

• “Nasus” literally means “nose” in Latin, a nod to his distinctive jackal nose.
• In development, he was known as “Anubis Head” or “Ammon,” which means “hidden” or “unseen.”
• His voice is brought to life by Gene McDaniels.
• In the now-removed League of Legends forums, the icon of his ultimate, “Fury of the Sands,” was used for “Player Concepts” and “Champion Feedback.”
• Nasus has multiple textures in his ultimate form, adding an extra layer of awesomeness.

Nasus might be all about the stacks, but remember that survival in the laning phase is just as important. Sacrifice a few stacks if it means keeping your health bar healthy. With Nasus’s weak early game, avoid fights, as early deaths or lost summoner spells can put you in a vulnerable position. As a late-game beast, Nasus excels at split pushing, but be ready to group up and assist your team if needed.

So, there you have it, summoners! Nasus, the Curator of the Sands, is a champion with a rich backstory and the potential to wreak havoc on the Rift when played right. Whether you’re new to Nasus or looking to master his sand-shaping powers, I hope this article has been a valuable guide for your League of Legends journey. Now, go stack up, and may the sandstorms be ever in your favor!

FAQ

Who is Nasus, and what is his lore?

Nasus is a jackal-headed Juggernaut champion in League of Legends with a rich lore. He hails from ancient Shurima and is a guardian of knowledge and strategy.

What are Nasus’s key abilities and strengths?

Nasus has a Life Steal passive, Siphoning Strike for stacking damage, Wither to slow enemies, Spirit Fire for area damage, and Fury of the Sands for a power boost. He excels in the mid-game and is a strong duelist.

What are Nasus’s item recommendations?

Core items for Nasus include Divine Sunderer, Gargoyle Stoneplate, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, and situational choices like Spirit Visage and Thornmail.

Where is the best lane to play Nasus, and who does he counter or struggle against?

Nasus is primarily played in the top lane, but he can also be effective in the mid lane. He excels against some champions but struggles against others, such as Sylas and Rengar.

What are some tips for playing against Nasus?

To counter Nasus, you can use numerical advantage, exploit his weak early game, pick anti-tank champions, employ kiting strategies, and use hard crowd control. Remember that Nasus is most threatening in the mid-game.