Nidalee
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Excellent (9.5/10)
Low Investment
Rare Relics OK
Nidalee is widely considered one of the strongest champions in the game, capable of defeating the highest-difficulty encounters with minimal investment. Her gameplay loop is highly engaging due to constant transformation triggers, though her reliance on specific turn-one sequences can feel repetitive to some.
The Ambush Combo
Refills spell mana on play, allowing Nidalee to be played as a 'Shadow in the Brush' and immediately transformed on Turn 1.
Triggers a Rally every time Nidalee levels up. Since she can level and de-level repeatedly, this provides multiple attack tokens per round.
Stuns all enemies upon leveling up. This provides total board control, ensuring attacks connect with the enemy Nexus safely.
Strategy
This is the definitive Rare-tier setup. By playing Nidalee as a bush on turn one, Lost Chapter provides the mana needed to transform her immediately. The constant cycling between her base form and leveled form allows you to stun the entire enemy board and generate multiple attack tokens in a single turn, often resulting in a Round 1 victory.
Spectral Vanguard
Transforms a supported ally into a random follower that costs 3 more. Crucial for converting Nidalee into a non-champion unit to enable other support relics.
Summons an exact copy of a supported follower. By using Transmogulator first to turn Nidalee into a follower, this relic allows you to clone her stats and keywords.- Ensures you have the spell mana necessary to maintain the transformation loop and protect the board.
Strategy
This advanced build focuses on stat multiplication. Transmogulator must be in an earlier slot than Spectral Scissors; it converts Nidalee into a high-cost follower, which Scissors then duplicates. This generates a board of massive units that can overwhelm any defensive line. Note that the order of relics is mandatory for this interaction to function.
Other Relic Options
Allows Nidalee to consume her 3-star ephemeral copy, permanently absorbing its stats and keywords to scale rapidly.
Provides a significant stat boost and Overwhelm to the entire deck, as most of Nidalee's units possess subtypes.
Generates high-cost units that are discounted to 0 mana when Nidalee is played, creating immediate board presence.
While Nidalee functions exceptionally well with Rare relics, Spectral Scissors remains her most impactful Epic option. Hidden Tome is generally discouraged as it does not trigger when she is played in her 'Shadow in the Brush' form.
Constellation
Nidalee's power is concentrated in her first three stars, making her an elite performer at low investment levels. Her 3-star power, which generates ephemeral copies on transformation, is the cornerstone of her most degenerate strategies.
Survival of the Fittest
When an ally transforms, grant it +1|+1 and Impact.
Most Dangerous Game
+1 Starting Mana. When you gain the attack token, create a Clever Camouflage in hand.
Survival of the Fittest II
When an ally transforms, grant it +1|+1 and Impact. If it's the first time this round, summon an exact Ephemeral copy of it.
Gameplay Tips
- Manage Turn Priority
Passing priority at the start of a round can force the AI to exhaust its mana on units, leaving it unable to cast removal or disruption when you begin your transformation chain.
- Optimize Relic Order
If using Transmogulator and Spectral Scissors, ensure Transmogulator is in the top slot. Relics trigger from top to bottom; Nidalee must be transformed into a follower before the Scissors check for a valid target to duplicate.
- The Lost Chapter Power Spike
Lost Chapter is mandatory for aggressive builds. It allows you to play the 'Shadow in the Brush' for 2 mana and immediately use her 'Clever Camouflage' spell to transform, effectively making her a turn-one threat with full spell mana remaining.
- Infinite Rally Potential
With Crownguard Inheritance, Nidalee can generate a new attack token every time she transforms into her leveled form. Use her generated spell to transform back into a bush, then transform again to reset the level-up trigger for a recursive offensive.
- Leverage Ambush Mechanics
Units played in the brush keep their items and relics. This allows followers to benefit from champion-centric buffs or items once they are transformed, providing a versatile way to scale the board.