What is the best build for Nidalee Jungle in Patch 16.5?

The optimal Nidalee Jungle build starts with Long Sword and Refillable Potion. Core items are Youmuu's Ghostblade, Opportunity, Serylda's Grudge with Boots of Lucidity. Run Flash and Smite as summoner spells.

What runes should I use on Nidalee Jungle?

Nidalee Jungle runs Dark Harvest as the keystone in Domination with Sudden Impact, Eyeball Collection, and Treasure Hunter. Secondary tree is Sorcery with Celerity and Waterwalking.

Is Nidalee good in Patch 16.5?

Nidalee is B tier in Jungle with a 49.9% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games on Patch 16.5, according to OP.GG data. Nidalee is a solid, balanced pick.

What are Nidalee's power spikes in Jungle?

Nidalee hits a significant power spike when completing Youmuu's Ghostblade. The two-item spike with Youmuu's Ghostblade and Opportunity is when Nidalee becomes a major threat. Skill priority is Q > E > W, so maxing the primary ability first accelerates early-game power.

When should I pick Nidalee in ranked?

Nidalee is a B tier Jungle pick in Patch 16.5 with a 2.3% pick rate. Nidalee works well as a Assassin and Mage and fits team compositions that need burst damage and pick potential.

What summoner spells should I run on Nidalee Jungle?

The recommended summoner spells for Nidalee Jungle are Flash and Smite. This is the highest win-rate combination in Emerald+ ranked games on Patch 16.5.

What is Nidalee's hardest matchup in Jungle?

Xin Zhao is one of the toughest Jungle matchups for Nidalee. Xin Zhao is S+ tier with a 52.4% win rate. Use Meridian Zero's matchup analysis tool to get detailed trading patterns and win conditions for Nidalee vs Xin Zhao.

Nidalee Jungle Guide — Patch 16.5 Builds, Runes & Matchups

Nidalee is a B tier Jungle champion in League of Legends Patch 16.5 with a 49.9% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games, according to OP.GG data. The optimal Nidalee build starts with Long Sword and Refillable Potion, with core items being Youmuu's Ghostblade, Opportunity, Serylda's Grudge and Boots of Lucidity. For runes, run Dark Harvest from Domination with Sorcery as the secondary tree. Skill priority is Q > E > W. Nidalee is best played with Flash and Smite as summoner spells. The most challenging matchup in Jungle is Xin Zhao (S+ tier, 52.4% win rate).

Source: OP.GG Emerald+ ranked data, Patch 16.5 · Last updated: March 2026 · Meridian Zero Analytics

Best Build — Patch 16.5

Start Long SwordRefillable Potion

Core Youmuu's GhostbladeOpportunitySerylda's Grudge

Boots Boots of Lucidity

Spells FlashSmite

Priority Q > E > W

Expert Tips

Your hunt mark from W amplifies your pounce (cougar E) damage dramatically. Land W then pounce for maximum burst.
Javelin Toss (Q) damage increases with range — always fire from max range, not point blank.
Split your clears between pouncing-in-cougar and ranged-poking-in-human to maintain mana.

Jungle Matchups — Difficulty by Opponent

Opponent	Tier	Difficulty
Xin Zhao	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Briar	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Nocturne	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Naafiri	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Graves	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Lee Sin	S+	Hard	Analyze →
Zyra	S	Hard	Analyze →
Rek'Sai	S	Hard	Analyze →
Bel'Veth	S	Hard	Analyze →
Nunu & Willump	S	Hard	Analyze →
Dr. Mundo	S	Hard	Analyze →
Shen	S	Hard	Analyze →

Runes — Patch 16.5

KeystoneDark Harvest

Primary TreeDomination

Slot 1Sudden Impact

Slot 2Eyeball Collection

Slot 3Treasure Hunter

Secondary TreeSorcery

Secondary 1Celerity

Secondary 2Waterwalking