Combos · Jungle

Nidalee combos

the Bestial Huntress

3 Nidalee combos explained key by key: in which order to cast the abilities, when to use them and what each step does. The main combo is Q › R › W › Q › E. Further down: every ability's cooldown, cost and range, and the skill max order measured over ranked games.

Nidalee combos

Written guide · based on the official ability texts

The hunt

When: You have hit with Javelin Toss or Bushwhack.

After hitting with the Javelin, switch to Cougar with Aspect Of The Cougar: Pounce lands you in an area (empowered against the hunted target), Takedown cuts deep (more damage if the target has lost health), Swipe claws.

Human-form harassment

When: An enemy is within Javelin range.

Bushwhack marks and reveals, the Javelin deals more damage with distance, Primal Surge heals allies and gives them attack speed.

The chase

When: An enemy is fleeing.

In Cougar form, Pounce propels you and deals area damage on landing.

Common mistakes

Throwing the Javelin at short range: it deals less damage.
Changing form without having marked: you lose the hunt.
Ignoring tall grass: it raises your speed.

Cooldowns, costs and ranges

A combo only comes back once its abilities are off cooldown: these values (rank 1 to max rank, in seconds) tell how long to wait between two combos. Source: Data Dragon 16.19.1.

Ability	Cooldown (s)	Cost	Range
Q · Javelin Toss / Takedown	6	50/55/60/65/70 Mana	1500
W · Bushwhack / Pounce	13/12/11/10/9	30/35/40/45/50 Mana	900
E · Primal Surge / Swipe	12	50/55/60/65/70 Mana	900
R · Aspect Of The Cougar	3	—	20

Official ability descriptions

PassiveProwl

Moving through brush increases Nidalee's Move Speed by 10% for 2 seconds, increased to 30% toward visible enemy champions within 1400 range.

Hitting champions or monsters with Javelin Toss or Bushwhack triggers a Hunt, granting True Sight of them for 4 seconds. During this time, Nidalee gains 10% Move Speed (increased to 30% toward the Hunted target) and her Takedown and Pounce are enhanced against them.

QJavelin Toss / Takedown

In human form, Nidalee throws a spiked javelin at her target that gains damage as it flies. As a cougar, her next attack will attempt to fatally wound her target, dealing more damage the less life they have.

WBushwhack / Pounce

In human form, Nidalee lays a trap for unwary opponents that, when sprung, damages and reveals its target. As a cougar, she jumps in a direction, dealing damage in an area where she lands.

EPrimal Surge / Swipe

In human form, Nidalee channels the spirit of the cougar to heal her allies and imbue them with Attack Speed for a short duration. As a cougar, she claws in a direction, dealing damage to enemies in front of her.

RAspect Of The Cougar

Nidalee transforms into a cougar, gaining new abilities.

Skill order

Max order: Q > E > W60.7% · 61 games

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15
Q	●			●	●		●		●
W			●											●	●
E		●						●		●		●	●
R						●					●

The order shows which abilities reach rank 5 first; the grid shows the most-played level-up sequence with that order (measured over 84 games).

Riot's official tips for playing Nidalee

Use brush to your advantage! Moving in and out of brush can heavily alter your effectiveness in battle.
Start team fights by harassing with your Javelin Toss, and then switch to cougar form to chase down Hunted targets.
Bushwhack traps deal damage based on their victim's current Health. Set them up in your team's backline before fights break out during sieges to help your team deal damage to the enemy frontline.

How to play around Nidalee's combos

Nidalee's Hunt debuff is only applied with Javelin Toss and Bushwhack. Avoiding being hit by these abilities will impair her ability to deal follow-up damage.
Nidalee's Javelin Toss deals more damage the farther she is. If she is far away, it's imperative to dodge it.
Nidalee's Takedown deals extreme damage to Hunted targets, but she has to get close to use it. Save your crowd control or defensive abilities for when she goes in for the kill.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nidalee's main combo?

The hunt: Q › R › W › Q › E. You have hit with Javelin Toss or Bushwhack. After hitting with the Javelin, switch to Cougar with Aspect Of The Cougar: Pounce lands you in an area (empowered against the hunted target), Takedown cuts deep (more damage if the target has lost health), Swipe claws.

Which ability should I max first on Nidalee?

The most-played max order is Q > E > W (61 games, 60.7% win rate).

What is the cooldown of Nidalee's ultimate?

Aspect Of The Cougar has a 3 second cooldown depending on its rank.

Build, runes and counters: full Nidalee guide · every champion's combos · tier list