Locke vs Nasus Counter Pick

Wither decelerates movement speed and attack speed on one target over its duration, and Locke’s damage profile is built on attacks. Silver Stake triggers on hit, Ritual Nails marks enemies so his attacks consume the marks, and Soul Ignition buys attack speed with his own health. A single ability removes most of that. Across 1,061 jungle games on patch 16.13.1 Locke holds 37.8%.

• Nasus has 34 armor at level one and 113.9 by level 18 against physical damage, and Spirit Fire reduces the armor of anyone standing in it, so the resistance trade runs one direction only.
• Soul Eater grants permanent life steal, meaning any skirmish that ends without a kill leaves him healthier than he started.
• He moves at 350 against 340, which decides objective contests and escapes from a failed Ashen Pursuit.

The opening is early, before Siphoning Strike has stacks and while Nasus is still a 650-health champion rather than a 2,418-health one. Purgatory executes damaged targets, so an early clash is worth far more than a late one, and Fury of the Sands adds bonus health and attack range that closes the window permanently. His mixed damage also splits Locke’s itemization. Both reach 125 units and both drink from a Mana bar, but Nasus opens with 67 attack damage against 58, so even the plainest exchange before any stacks exist starts from behind.