Varus vs Nilah ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Varus

VS

ADC

Nilah

Varus vs Nilah

Confidence highUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Varus wins by punishing Nilah's short range and last-hit commitments with charged (Q) poke.
Nilah thrives in short all-ins with (W) auto denial and support follow-up, so avoid extended fights.
Control wave near your side to force Nilah into risky CS attempts and enable poke pressure.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto and detonate blight stacks when Nilah commits to last hits under no enemy support threat.
Use (E) slow on Nilah when she is locked into CS animations to reduce her all-in threat.
Avoid charging (Q) when (W) is up or her support controls brush and can engage immediately.

Danger windows

Nilah's all-in is dangerous when (W) is active, denying your autos during her engage window.
Avoid charging (Q) when Nilah's support controls brush or is ready to follow up on her (E) dash.
Be cautious after (R) is down, as Nilah can exploit your lack of mobility to close distance and burst.

Early game

Use the first three waves to thin the wave and position for charged (Q) outside Nilah's dash range.
Punish Nilah's last hits on low-health caster minions only if enemy support can't immediately trade back.
Keep support near to follow up on (R) or peel for you when Nilah tries to all-in.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) lets you punish Nilah's immobility and stop her engage; hold it for real catches or enemy commits.
First completed damage item increases your poke threat, enabling safer wave pressure before dragon or turret fights.
Use item spike to crash waves quickly, forcing Nilah to choose between CS and taking poke damage.

Win conditions

Convert poke damage and wave pressure into CS leads and turret plates before Nilah reaches item spikes.
Use (R) pick threat combined with support follow-up to force Nilah off the wave and secure dragon vision.
Position safely in teamfights to maximize your on-hit DPS while avoiding Nilah's short-range all-in bursts.