Support Matchup

Nautilus vs Zilean

Patch: 15.15 (25.15)
League: Platinum+
Nautilus

Nautilus

the Titan of the Depths
Support
Nautilus Support Overall Win Rate
49.44%

Matchup Win Rate

48.0%
Nautilus vs Zilean Wins
52.1%
Zilean vs Nautilus Wins
Zilean

Zilean

the Chronokeeper
Support
Zilean Support Overall Win Rate
51.32%

Nautilus vs Zilean - Support Matchup Guide Patch 15.15 (25.15)

Nautilus Support vs Zilean Support - Who is stronger?

Nautilus Support has trouble against Zilean (48.0% win rate) based on 866 games. This is a tough matchup for Nautilus players.

View detailed statistics below: items, runes, and counter builds for Nautilus Support vs Zilean Support in patch 15.15 (25.15), including win rates and pick rates. With proper study, this can improve your chances of victory up to 70%+ in this matchup.

Statistical Matchup Analysis

Nautilus dominates the meta (4th most popular, 9.4% pick rate) and regularly clashes with Zilean (2.4% pick rate). Understanding this common matchup forms the foundation of consistent gameplay for one of support's current powerhouses. Every edge matters: In this tough matchup, the proven Glacial Augment + Hextech Flashtraption combination (48.5% win rate) plus optimal itemization Locket of the Iron Solari, Knight's Vow, Mikael's Blessing, and Plated Steelcaps boosts your chances from 48.0% to 70%+ - potentially game-changing.

Vision parity: Equal warding (0.95 wards/min) makes ward placement quality and sweep timing the deciding factors. Outclassed across the board: Zilean leads in both matchup win rate (52.1%) and damage (379 vs 361/min). Nautilus must seek alternative win conditions through macro play and team coordination. Complete dominance by Zilean: leads in both matchup win rate (52.1%) and KDA (3.30 vs 2.40, 5th vs 28th place). Nautilus players need exceptional preparation to overcome this counter-pick.

Nautilus vs Zilean - Support Stats Comparison

Nautilus Support
Nautilus Support
Versus
Zilean Support
Zilean Support
ATierA+
48.0%Matchup Winrate52.1%
49.44%Role Winrate51.32%
#29Winrate Rank#9
9.4%Pickrate2.4%
2.4Average KDA3.3
282Gold per Minute295
0.95Wards per Minute0.95
361Damage per Minute379

How to Beat Zilean as Nautilus (Support)

Difficult matchup requiring deep understanding of game mechanics and flawless execution. Patience and proper macro play are the keys to victory in this confrontation.

The magic damage that Nautilus deals remains relevant in the late game. Look for opportunities to initiate or counter-initiate. Meanwhile, Zilean deals primarily magic damage (81.30%), additional magic resistance may be required.

Consider the excellent vision control demonstrated by Zilean, ranking 16th (versus 16th for Nautilus) in ward placement among supports. This means the opponent provides better map vision for their team. Meanwhile, their higher KDA (3.3 versus 2.4) suggests they participate more effectively in team fights.

Key aspects of the Nautilus Support versus Zilean Support matchup

In this difficult confrontation, it is critically important for the Nautilus player to avoid attempts to force trades and all-ins with the Zilean player, as the matchup requires a patient and calculated approach. Extended trades without clear tactical advantage often lead to unfavorable consequences, and ignoring opportunities to receive team support can be a fatal mistake for game progression.

Nautilus vs Zilean: Support Summoner Spells

Most Popular

Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
Ignite
Ignite Deals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration.
45.3% Win Rate85.2% Pick Rate

Highest Win Rate

Exhaust
Exhaust Slows target enemy champion and reduces their damage dealt.
Flash
Flash Teleports you a short distance toward your cursor.
60.3% Win Rate10.4% Pick Rate

Nautilus vs Zilean: Support Runes

Most Frequent Runes

Primary Path
Resolve
Aftershock
Aftershock After immobilizing an enemy champion, increase your Armor and Magic Resist by 35 + 80% of your Bonus Resists for 2.5s. Then explode, dealing magic damage to nearby enemies.

Damage: 25 - 120 (+8% of your bonus health)
Cooldown: 20s

Resistance bonus from Aftershock capped at: 80-150 (based on level)

Aftershock

After immobilizing an enemy champion, increase your Armor and Magic Resist by 35 + 80% of…

Shield Bash
Shield Bash Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deals 5 - 30(+2.5% Bonus Health)(+15.0% New Shield Amount) bonus adaptive damage.

You have up to 2s after the shield expires to use this effect.

Shield Bash

Whenever you gain a new shield, your next basic attack against a champion deal…

Bone Plating
Bone Plating After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.

Duration: 1.5s
Cooldown: 55s

Bone Plating

After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you re…

Unflinching
Unflinching Gain 6 - 12 (level scaling) Armor and Magic Resist when crowd controlled and for 2 seconds after.

Unflinching

Gain 6 - 12 (level scaling) Armor and Magic Resist when crowd controlled and fo…

Secondary Path
Inspiration
Biscuit Delivery
Biscuit Delivery Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until 6 min.

Biscuits restore 12% of your missing health. Consuming or selling a Biscuit permanently increases your max health by 30.

Biscuit Delivery

Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until …

Cosmic Insight
Cosmic Insight +18 Summoner Spell Haste
+10 Item Haste

Cosmic Insight

+18 Summoner Spell Haste+10 Item Haste

Adaptive
Scaling Cooldown Reduction
Scaling Cooldown Reduction +8 Ability Haste

Scaling Cooldown Reduction

+8 Ability Haste

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

47.9% Win Rate58.7% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Runes

Primary Path
Inspiration
Glacial Augment
Glacial Augment Immobilizing an enemy champion will cause 3 glacial rays to emanate from them towards you and other nearby champions, creating frozen zones for 3 (+ the immobilizing effect's duration) seconds that slow enemies for 20% (+90% per 100% Heal and Shield Power) (+6% per 100 Ability Power) (+7% per 100 bonus Attack Damage) and reduce their damage by 15% against your allies (not including yourself).

Cooldown: 25s

Glacial Augment

Immobilizing an enemy champion will cause 3 glacial rays to emanate from them towards you…

Hextech Flashtraption
Hextech Flashtraption While Flash is on cooldown it is replaced by Hexflash.

Hexflash: Channel for 2s to blink to a new location.

Cooldown: 20s. Goes on a 10s cooldown when you enter champion combat.

Hextech Flashtraption

While Flash is on cooldown it is replaced by Hexflash.Hexflash: Channel for 2s …

Biscuit Delivery
Biscuit Delivery Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until 6 min.

Biscuits restore 12% of your missing health. Consuming or selling a Biscuit permanently increases your max health by 30.

Biscuit Delivery

Biscuit Delivery: Gain a Total Biscuit of Everlasting Will every 2 mins, until …

Cosmic Insight
Cosmic Insight +18 Summoner Spell Haste
+10 Item Haste

Cosmic Insight

+18 Summoner Spell Haste+10 Item Haste

Secondary Path
Resolve
Bone Plating
Bone Plating After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.

Duration: 1.5s
Cooldown: 55s

Bone Plating

After taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you re…

Unflinching
Unflinching Gain 6 - 12 (level scaling) Armor and Magic Resist when crowd controlled and for 2 seconds after.

Unflinching

Gain 6 - 12 (level scaling) Armor and Magic Resist when crowd controlled and fo…

Adaptive
Attack Speed
Attack Speed Increases attack speed by 10%

Attack Speed

Increases attack speed by 10%

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health
Scaling Health Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

Scaling Health

Increases health from 10 to 180 HP across levels 1-18

48.5% Win Rate17.8% Pick Rate

Nautilus vs Zilean: Support Item Builds

Most Popular Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
World Atlas
World Atlas (400 gold)
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
49.5% Win Rate74.8% Pick Rate
Popular Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Plated Steelcaps (1200 gold) 25 Armor
45 Move Speed

Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.
45.6% Win Rate44.9% Pick Rate
Mercury's Treads
Mercury's Treads (1250 gold) 20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity

45.9% Win Rate32.2% Pick Rate
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
51.4% Win Rate8.8% Pick Rate
Core Build
Kindlegem
Kindlegem (800 gold) 200 Health
10 Ability Haste

->
Locket of the Iron Solari
Locket of the Iron Solari (2200 gold) 200 Health
25 Armor
25 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste

Devotion
Grant nearby allies a 200 - 360 Shield that decays over 2.5 seconds.
Knight's Vow
Knight's Vow (2300 gold) 200 Health
40 Armor
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen

Sacrifice
While near your Worthy ally, take 12% of the damage they receive and heal for 10% of the damage they deal to champions.Pledge (0s)
Designate an ally as Worthy.
Thornmail
Thornmail (2450 gold) 150 Health
75 Armor

Thorns
When struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.
58.6% Win Rate21.8% Pick Rate
Final Build
Kaenic Rookern
Kaenic Rookern (2900 gold) 400 Health
80 Magic Resist
100% Base Health Regen

Magebane
After not taking magic damage for 15 seconds, gain a magic shield.
74.3% Win Rate50.3% Pick Rate

Best Win Rate Build

Starting Items
Stealth Ward
Stealth Ward (0 gold) Active (210 - 120s, max 2 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision for 90-120 seconds.
World Atlas
World Atlas (400 gold)
Health Potion
Health Potion (50 gold) Consume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.
49.5% Win Rate74.8% Pick Rate
Highest Winrate Boots
Symbiotic Soles
Symbiotic Soles (900 gold) 40 Move Speed
Voidborn
Gain Empowered Recall.
Symbiosis
After traveling 150000 units of distance, transform into Synchronized Souls.
56.1% Win Rate5.4% Pick Rate
Ionian Boots of Lucidity
Ionian Boots of Lucidity (900 gold) 10 Ability Haste
45 Move Speed

Ionian Insight
Gain 10 Summoner Spell Haste.
54.3% Win Rate1.7% Pick Rate
Boots of Swiftness
Boots of Swiftness (1000 gold) 60 Move Speed
Fleetfooted
Reduce the effectiveness of Slows by 25%.
51.4% Win Rate8.8% Pick Rate
Core Build
Kindlegem
Kindlegem (800 gold) 200 Health
10 Ability Haste

->
Locket of the Iron Solari
Locket of the Iron Solari (2200 gold) 200 Health
25 Armor
25 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste

Devotion
Grant nearby allies a 200 - 360 Shield that decays over 2.5 seconds.
Knight's Vow
Knight's Vow (2300 gold) 200 Health
40 Armor
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen

Sacrifice
While near your Worthy ally, take 12% of the damage they receive and heal for 10% of the damage they deal to champions.Pledge (0s)
Designate an ally as Worthy.
Mikael's Blessing
Mikael's Blessing (2300 gold) 250 Health
100% Base Mana Regen
12% Heal and Shield Power
15 Ability Haste

Purify
Remove all crowd control debuffs (excluding Airborne and Suppression) from an ally champion and restore 100 - 250 Health.
99.4% Win Rate2.7% Pick Rate
Final Build
Kaenic Rookern
Kaenic Rookern (2900 gold) 400 Health
80 Magic Resist
100% Base Health Regen

Magebane
After not taking magic damage for 15 seconds, gain a magic shield.
74.3% Win Rate50.3% Pick Rate
Other Items
Sunfire Aegis
Sunfire Aegis (2700 gold) 350 Health
50 Armor
10 Ability Haste

Immolate
After taking or dealing damage, deal magic damage per second to nearby enemies for 3 seconds.
50.2% Win Rate25.0% Pick Rate

Nautilus vs Zilean: Support Skill (abilities) Orders

Most Frequent Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Q
Q
Dredge Line Nautilus hurls his anchor forward. Colliding with an enemy pulls them and Nautilus together, dealing magic damage. Colliding with terrain pulls Nautilus towards it.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
W
W
Titan's Wrath Nautilus gains a temporary Shield. While it persists, his Attacks deal damage over time to his target and surrounding enemies.
W
W
W
W
W
E
E
Riptide Nautilus creates three exploding waves around himself. Each explosion damages and slows enemies.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Depth Charge Nautilus fires a shockwave into the earth that chases an opponent. This shockwave rips up the earth above it, knocking enemies into the air. When it reaches the opponent, the shockwave erupts, knocking his target into the air and stunning them.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > W > E
46.8% Win Rate63.5% Pick Rate

Highest Win % Skill Order

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
R
Q
Dredge Line Nautilus hurls his anchor forward. Colliding with an enemy pulls them and Nautilus together, dealing magic damage. Colliding with terrain pulls Nautilus towards it.
Q
Q
Q
Q
Q
R
W
Titan's Wrath Nautilus gains a temporary Shield. While it persists, his Attacks deal damage over time to his target and surrounding enemies.
W
W
W
W
W
R
E
Riptide Nautilus creates three exploding waves around himself. Each explosion damages and slows enemies.
E
E
E
E
E
R
R
Depth Charge Nautilus fires a shockwave into the earth that chases an opponent. This shockwave rips up the earth above it, knocking enemies into the air. When it reaches the opponent, the shockwave erupts, knocking his target into the air and stunning them.
R
R
R
Max Order: Q > W > E
49.3% Win Rate1.6% Pick Rate

Nautilus tips:

  • While ganking, consider aiming Dredge Line at nearby terrain and following it up with Riptide for a higher hit rate.
  • Riptide has a delayed blast timing on activation - you can use this while running away or when enemies are incoming to serve as a deterrent.

Playing Against Zilean

  • If you're able to match Zilean's speed, it can sometimes be beneficial to wait until his ultimate has faded before landing the killing blow.
  • Zilean is fragile if a team focuses on him, but otherwise he's very difficult to kill. Commit to killing him as a team.