Champion Guide

Nami Guide

By LoLSuggest

Support

Nami is an enchanter support who wins lane through efficient trading and controls fights with crowd control. Surging Tides gives allies movement speed when her abilities affect them, Aqua Prison sends a bubble to a target area that stuns enemies when it lands, Ebb and Flow bounces between allies and enemies to heal and damage, Tidecaller's Blessing empowers an ally's next attacks or abilities to deal bonus magic damage and slow, and Tidal Wave sends a huge wave that knocks up enemies and speeds up allies. Her versatility makes her one of the best blind picks in the game.

Recommended Setup

Our recommended Nami build

Our recommended runes, summoner spells and items. Compare build win rates on the stats page.

Items

Starting Items

Core Items

Situational Items

Start World Atlas and a Health Potion. Solstice Sleigh is Nami's best support item upgrade, because Tidecaller's Blessing triggers it on any ability or attack, helping the buffed ally stick to enemies and helping you move around in fights; Dream Maker is a simpler plug-and-play alternative. The core build is Solstice Sleigh, Staff of Flowing Water, Echoes of Helia and Mejai's Soulstealer, and buying Dark Seal early pays off thanks to her strong ability power ratios, especially on Ebb and Flow. Mikael's Blessing is a flex second or third item against heavy crowd control, Oblivion Orb, left un-upgraded, cuts enemy healing, and Moonstone Renewer, Ardent Censer or Dawncore, the enchanter's version of Rabadon's Deathcap, round out the build. Run Summon Aery with Manaflow Band, Absolute Focus and Gathering Storm, plus Jack of all Trades and Magical Footwear. Take Flash with Heal. Max E, then W, then Q.

Runes

Primary Tree

Secondary Tree

Summoner Spells

Skill Max Order

Strengths

One of the best blind picks: she works with most champions.
Great sustain, and one of the strongest early-game enchanters for trading.
Strong crowd control with Aqua Prison and Tidal Wave.

Weaknesses

Struggles against hook champions like Blitzcrank and Thresh.
Immobile.
Skillshot dependent: a missed Aqua Prison leaves her with little to offer.

Laning Phase

Nami is one of the strongest early-game enchanters, so play for lane control from level 1 and push for level 2 first, when Tidecaller's Blessing and Aqua Prison can force Flashes or win a big health lead. A strong trade is Tidecaller's Blessing and an attack, then Ebb and Flow and another attack to apply the slow; always look for Ebb and Flow bounces between targets. Use Tidecaller's Blessing on yourself more than you might think: it is the most reliable way to set up Aqua Prison and use all of its empowered hits. Never throw a raw Aqua Prison; chain it after a slow or other crowd control. Against hook champions like Blitzcrank and Thresh you cannot harass first, so punish them only after they use or miss their abilities.

Mid & Late Game

In the mid game, stop thinking only about your ADC: identify your strongest teammate and play around them, following a fed jungler's plays or hovering a winning mid lane. Ward around dragon, Rift Herald and Baron and stay close to your team so you do not get caught. Combine Tidal Wave with Aqua Prison to land the bubble on caught-out enemies, and save Tidal Wave for choke points to split the enemy team. In late-game fights, protect the carry: buff them with Tidecaller's Blessing, heal them with Ebb and Flow, and keep Aqua Prison to stop assassins and divers.

Key Tips

Chaining Tidal Wave into Aqua Prison is the most reliable way to land the bubble.
Late in the game, angle Ebb and Flow from an ally to an enemy and back to another ally for more healing.
Aim Tidal Wave at choke points to split the enemy team.
Against hook champions, punish them only after their key ability is used or missed.

Matchups

Matchups and synergies

Our picks for difficult opponents, favorable lanes and strong allies. Compare matchup win rates on the stats page.