Nocturne is one of those champions who can take over a game if he is built the right way.
His playstyle is about jumping onto enemies quickly, locking them down, and making it hard for them to escape.
I like how his kit gives him both speed and fear, making him a threat in almost every fight. But the items you pick decide if you can carry or if you fall off later in the game.
Choosing the right setup gives him the power to burst targets or last longer in team battles.
I have seen many players struggle when they are unsure which items are best suited for different matches.
In this guide, I will go over the most reliable builds, the strongest item paths, and how to deal with champions that stop his engagement.
Champions that Shut Down Nocturne
While Nocturne is dangerous when diving onto priority targets, several champions significantly disrupt his playstyle. Lissandra can root and freeze him instantly, preventing his burst before it starts.
Malzahar shuts him down with suppression, canceling his jump and leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks. Poppy is another strong answer, as her W blocks his dash and her ultimate can push him far from the fight.
Champions like Jax scale better in duels, using his Counter Strike to block Nocturne’s auto attacks, while Kayle denies his assassination attempts with her ultimate.
These counters force Nocturne to be far more cautious, relying on smart timing and teamwork instead of reckless engagements.
Against them, patience and coordination become key to his success.
Best Core Items for Nocturne
Nocturne’s power depends on his core setup. Picking the right items boosts his damage, survivability, and impact in every fight.
- Stridebreaker: Stridebreaker adds damage, health, and a slowing dash, helping Nocturne stick to targets and increase his burst.
- Black Cleaver: Black Cleaver grants damage, health, and armor shred, helping Nocturne break tanks faster while staying tougher in battles.
- Experimental Hexplate: Experimental Hexplate gives damage, haste, and a shield, boosting Nocturne’s trades and durability against aggressive foes.
- Plated Steelcaps: Plated Steelcaps cut basic attack damage, giving Nocturne solid defense against marksmen and other auto-attack focused champions.
- Guardian Angel: Guardian Angel revives Nocturne after death, making his dives safer in late-game fights and allowing him to pressure carries confidently.
- Maw of Malmortius: Maw of Malmortius grants damage and a magic shield, protecting Nocturne from burst when facing powerful mages.
- Death’s Dance: Death’s Dance reduces burst and heals on takedowns, helping Nocturne survive longer and thrive in extended fights.
Nocturne’s Ideal Runes and Spells
Nocturne works best with runes that fit his aggressive playstyle. Lethal Tempo is a strong option if you want longer fights, since it boosts attack speed quickly.
Conqueror is another good pick when you need extra damage and healing in extended trades.
To understand how these runes complement his natural abilities, see my detailed breakdown of Nocturne Strength: Abilities, Damage, Tier, Counters.
For secondary runes, Domination gives lifesteal and burst, while Sorcery offers more speed or cooldown reduction.
When it comes to spells, Flash is always needed for safety and extra reach. Smite is key if you play jungle, while Ignite is useful in solo lanes for stronger kill pressure early on.
Full Build Examples
Picking the right build path makes Nocturne stronger in every match, whether you need burst damage, lasting power, or balanced play.
1. Assassin Build
Experimental Hexplate complements Nocturne’s ultimate, Paranoia, by granting an immediate shield at activation, which absorbs incoming damage in early fights.
The item’s attack speed and ability haste boost Nocturne’s damage output, enabling faster bursts during his dash engage.
This combination increases his survivability and damage while locking down enemies in quick skirmishes.
2. Bruiser Build
Paranoia’s darkness and gap-closing jump isolate targets, making quick, decisive engagements critical. Experimental Hexplate’s active shield helps Nocturne survive counterattacks that typically follow his dives.
The movement and attack speed bonuses let him maximize damage in a short window, allowing him to burst down squishy targets before enemies can react or call for help.
3. Hybrid Build
This synergy turns Nocturne into a durable assassin capable of surviving initial retaliation post-dive.
Experimental Hexplate enhances damage trade potential during Paranoia’s duration, making Nocturne especially effective in one-on-one or small group fights where timing and burst output determine the outcome.
Together, they reinforce his role as a high-threat diver in fights.
Tips to Play Around Counters
Playing against counters can be tough, but there are smart ways to still stay useful and find good chances.
- Build defensive items when behind to soak damage and maintain pressure for your team.
- Use deep vision to track enemy movements and avoid surprise engagements.
- Coordinate with teammates to follow up on your ultimate with crowd control and damage.
- Adapt playstyle by prioritizing safer kills and farming when counters are strong.
- Time your ultimate after enemy defensive spells expire for maximum impact.
- Use your W’s spell shield wisely to block crucial crowd control and maintain momentum.
Conclusion
Nocturne is a champion built for impact, but his success depends on smart choices during the game. Picking the right items at the right time allows him to stay useful in many different matchups.
Each build path opens a different way to play, from quick damage to strong survivability.
While certain champions and strategies can hold him back, knowing how to adapt keeps him a threat on the map. Understanding when to strike and when to hold back is what separates an average player from one who can carry.
With practice and flexible builds, Nocturne becomes more than just an assassin; he turns into a reliable playmaker who can guide his team to victory.
