How to beat Nocturne

Common role: Jungle

The best counter to Nocturne in Jungle is Urgot: 60.4% win rate over 30 ranked games on patch 26.17.

A jungle assassin who cuts vision and dives a carry from across the map.

What makes Nocturne dangerous

Nocturne's ultimate darkens the whole enemy screen and lets him fly onto a champion from long range — a terrifying pick tool. He blocks a spell and fears with his W, and his Q gives speed and damage along a trail. He isolates a carry in the darkness and deletes them.

How to play against Nocturne

• 1When his ult darkens your screen, group up — allies can body-block or peel his dive. Don't panic-flash randomly.
• 2Respect his W spellshield — it blocks the next enemy ability. Bait it before you commit your key CC or burst.
• 3His W also fears you if it hits — dodge the cast, and hard CC catches him after he dives in.
• 4Peel your carry when his ult is up — Nocturne's whole game is isolating one target. Deny the isolation and he flounders.

Weaknesses to exploit

• ✓Ult isolates one target — grouping and peel counter it.
• ✓W spellshield/fear is dodgeable and baitable.
• ✓Squishy; hard CC punishes him after he dives.
• ✓Weak into peel-heavy, grouped comps.

Abilities & how to counter them

What each of Nocturne's abilities does — and how to play around it.

• P
  Umbra Blades

  Every few seconds, Nocturne's next attack strikes surrounding enemies for bonus physical damage and heals himself. Nocturne's basic attacks reduce this cooldown.

• Q
  Duskbringer

  Nocturne throws a shadow blade that deals damage, leaves a Dusk Trail, and causes champions to leave a Dusk Trail. While on the trail, Nocturne can move through units and has increased Move Speed and Attack Damage.

• W
  Shroud of Darkness

  Nocturne empowers his blades, passively gaining Attack Speed. Activating Shroud of Darkness allows Nocturne to fade into the shadows, creating a magical barrier which blocks a single enemy ability and doubles his passive Attack Speed if successful.

  Strong: a spellshield that blocks your next ability and fears if it hits. Weak: bait it before you commit key CC, and dodge the cast.

• E
  Unspeakable Horror

  Nocturne plants a nightmare into his target's mind, dealing damage each second and applying fear to the target if they do not get out of range by the end of the duration.

• R
  Paranoia

  Nocturne reduces the sight radius of all enemy champions and removes their ally vision in the process. He can then launch himself at a nearby enemy champion.

  Strong: darkens the enemy screen and flies onto a champion from long range. Weak: group up so allies can peel/body-block the isolated dive.

Itemization

Nocturne is a burst AD assassin. Group and peel when his ult is up, bait his W spellshield, and armor/Zhonya's survive his dive. Deny him the isolated pick.

This guide covers Nocturne's core kit and playstyle — advice that holds up across patches.