Nidalee ARAM Build
Land spears, heal your team, dominate
Nidalee in ARAM is a poke monster. Land one spear on a squishy and they're out of the fight. Miss ten in a row and you're useless. She's high risk, high reward — when you're hitting spears, you hard carry. When you're not, you're a worse version of Soraka. The key is positioning, prediction, and not tilting when you whiff.
Nidalee ARAM Stats
Best Runes for Nidalee ARAM
Primary (Sorcery):
- Dark Harvest — scales infinitely, procs on spear hits
- Cheap Shot — extra damage after spear lands
- Eyeball Collection — AP stacking
- Ultimate Hunter — more cougar form uptime
Secondary (Precision):
- Presence of Mind — mana sustain for constant poke
- Coup de Grace — execute damage on low targets
Stat Shards: Adaptive Force, Adaptive Force, Health
Dark Harvest is the play. Every spear you land on a low target procs it, and in ARAM you're stacking souls constantly. By 15 minutes you're one-shotting squishies with a single spear.
Comet is fine early, but Dark Harvest scales way harder. Once you hit 20+ stacks, your spears are deleting people. Nidalee games go long in ARAM — you want the scaling rune.
Core Items
1. Luden's Tempest
Burst damage, magic pen, and the proc adds extra poke. Your spears chunk even harder with this.
2. Sorcerer's Shoes
Magic pen is crucial. You're trying to one-shot squishies, not tickle tanks. Get these early.
3. Shadowflame
More magic pen, more burst. If they're building MR, this cuts through it. Essential second item.
Full Build Path: Luden's Tempest → Sorcerer's Shoes → Shadowflame → Rabadon's Deathcap → Void Staff → Zhonya's Hourglass
You're building full glass cannon. Your job is to land spears from fog of war and delete people. If you're in cougar form fighting, you're probably dead.
Situational Items
- Zhonya's Hourglass — if they have assassins diving you (Zed, Fizz, Rengar)
- Banshee's Veil — if they have one key CC ability you need to block (Ashe R, Morgana Q)
- Mejai's Soulstealer — if you're stomping and not dying, stack this for free AP
- Morellonomicon — if they have heavy healing (Soraka, Yuumi, Mundo)
Ability Priority
Max Order: Q (Javelin Toss) → E (Primal Surge) → W
Your Q is your entire kit. Max it first. E second for bigger heals. W is just a trap, max last.
How to Play Nidalee in ARAM
Nidalee has two forms. Human form is for poke and heals. Cougar form is for executes and mobility. You spend 90% of the game in human form throwing spears.
Spear Combos:
- Basic Poke: Q from max range → if it hits, R → W → E → Q for the execute
- Bush Cheese: Stand in bush → Q when they walk up → they can't see it coming
- Heal Rotation: E on lowest HP ally → auto them for the attack speed buff
Your spear (Q) does more damage the farther it travels. Max range spears can chunk squishies for 60-70% HP. The hitbox is deceptive — it's wider than it looks, so aim slightly off-center and you'll hit more.
Don't aim where they are. Aim where they're going. Watch their movement pattern — most players walk in predictable lines. Lead your spear slightly and you'll land way more.
ARAM-Specific Tips
Use bushes religiously. Spears from fog of war are impossible to dodge. Stand in the bush, throw spears, back off. Repeat.
Heal your frontline, not yourself. Your E gives an attack speed buff. Use it on your ADC or bruiser before fights start. They'll shred faster.
Don't go cougar unless it's safe. Cougar form is for cleaning up low targets or escaping. If you jump in at full HP, you're inting. Wait for them to be low, then execute.
Spam traps in chokes. Your W (trap) gives vision and reveals enemies. Drop them in bushes and narrow paths. Free vision wins fights.
Poke before objectives. Before a teamfight starts, land 2-3 spears. Force them to back off or fight at half HP. That's how you win.
Nidalee's Worst Matchups in ARAM
- Hard engage tanks — Malphite, Amumu, Leona. They don't care about your poke and will run you down.
- Assassins — Zed, Fizz, Rengar. If they get on you, you're dead. No escapes.
- Sustain comps — Soraka, Yuumi, Sona. You poke them, they heal it back. Frustrating.
Nidalee's Best Matchups in ARAM
- Immobile squishies — Lux, Xerath, Veigar. Easy spear targets, no mobility.
- Low sustain comps — If they can't heal, your poke sticks. You win the war of attrition.
- Melee-heavy teams — They have to walk through your spears to engage. Free damage.
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Browse League AccountsWhy Nidalee Works in ARAM
The narrow lane makes spears easier to land. There's nowhere to hide. Plus, constant teamfights mean you're stacking Dark Harvest nonstop. By late game, your spears are nukes.
She's not easy — you need good aim and patience. But when you're hitting spears, you're the most oppressive champion in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rune for Nidalee in ARAM?
Dark Harvest. Scales infinitely, procs on spear hits. By late game your spears one-shot squishies.
Should I max Q or E first on Nidalee in ARAM?
Max Q first. Your spear is everything. E second for heals. W last.
What items should I build on Nidalee in ARAM?
Luden's Tempest → Sorcerer's Shoes → Shadowflame → Rabadon's Deathcap. Full AP and magic pen to delete people with spears.
How do I land Nidalee spears in ARAM?
Throw from bushes, aim where they're walking (not where they are), and abuse the narrow lane. Spear hitbox is wider than it looks.
Is Nidalee good in ARAM?
48.2% win rate. High skill cap — if you land spears, you carry. If you miss, you're dead weight. Narrow lane helps, but she struggles vs engage and sustain.
When should I use cougar form in ARAM?
Only to execute low targets or escape. Don't jump in at full HP. Wait for them to be low, then R → W → E → Q for the kill.
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