We created this guide because we’ve truly experienced every path and challenge that comes with playing Naafiri. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to become a master of League of Legends with this exceptional champion! If you find value in this guide from VPEsport, we would greatly appreciate it if you could hit the like button and leave a comment—not only here but also on my main post (though any comments here are absolutely welcome too)!
On July 19, League of Legends introduced an exciting new darkin assassin designed for the mid lane, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. In this guide, we’ll thoroughly explore how to effectively play Naafiri, including the best items to purchase and how to choose the most suitable runes for your playstyle. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, this guide aims to provide you with the insights you need to excel in your matches.
Hero Pros and Cons
Table of Contents
Analysis of skills and secrets of playing for a predator
Naafiri’s defining characteristic is her special connection with her pack. She doesn’t just fight, she lives and breathes in unison with the hounds she summons with her passive skill. There’s something primal, wild, and incredibly exciting about it. With a simple yet well-thought-out kit, Naafiri is perfect for both newbies taking their first steps in MOBAs and experienced players who can unlock her full potential.
One Whole (Passive Skill)
Nafiri is never alone. With this skill, she summons her loyal hounds that rush into battle, tearing enemies apart. Each of them reacts to her attacks and skills as if they understand her without words – the pack acts as a single organism.
Each hound has a 30-second cooldown, but if they manage to damage an enemy champion, the cooldown is reduced, and the pack returns to the fight even faster. This mechanic creates a sense of constant pressure on her opponents: wherever Naafiri appears, she can always expect an attack.
She starts the battle with only two hounds, but upon reaching level nine, she can summon a third – and this is when her power truly unfolds. Each new hound increases the feeling of an unstoppable hunt, turning Naafiri into a predator who always goes to the end.
Darkin Daggers (Q)
This is Naafiri’s signature move and her main tool for pressuring her enemies. She throws up to two daggers in a row, and each strike is precise and deadly. But here’s the real twist: if the target is already bleeding, the skill not only deals additional damage, but also increases the bleeding, turning the fight into a hunt without mercy.
This skill plays a key role in her gameplay. With its help, you can effectively push the line, constantly forcing the opponent to retreat, and at the right moment – catch up with fleeing enemies and finish them off with daggers. Those who learn to use this technique perfectly will feel that the outcome of the battle depends on their actions. In such hands, Naafiri turns into a hunter who always achieves his goal.
Prey Hunt (W)
Naafiri and her loyal pack surge forward, striking down the first enemy that crosses their path. This powerful ability is crucial for quickly closing the distance between her and her foes. When activated, Naafiri and her hounds leap over most obstacles, allowing them to effortlessly chase down targets after executing “Dash.” This mobility not only enhances their offensive capabilities but also adds a strategic layer to her gameplay.
Gutting (E)
Naafiri performs a swift dash, unleashing area damage on her enemies within reach. This skill not only summons all of her pack members but also ensures they return after landing, providing a valuable health restoration.
This ability truly shines in chaotic team fights and during crucial late-game pushes. It serves to safeguard her hounds from incoming area damage while effectively closing the gap to enemies, thereby maximizing their overall damage output. Moreover, it grants Naafiri the ability to scale small walls, making it an invaluable asset when pursuing fleeing adversaries. This combination of offense and utility makes her a formidable presence on the battlefield.
Call of the Pack (R)
Naafiri significantly enhances her abilities by doubling the number of hounds at her command, which not only boosts her allies’ movement speed but also reveals nearby enemies. When an enemy champion lands the first attack, it grants her a protective shield, and securing a kill will refresh all effects of her ultimate ability, making it a powerful tool in her arsenal.
This skill is particularly well-suited for roaming from the mid lane. Utilize it strategically to ambush the jungler during their movements or to provide crucial support to teammates in other lanes. In the heat of team fights, focus on targeting the more vulnerable enemies to maximize the duration and impact of your buffs, ensuring your team can maintain the upper hand.
Best Skill Leveling Order and Lane Tips
Naafiri Skill Development – Step-by-Step Guide
To unlock Naafiri’s full potential in League of Legends, it is important to prioritize her skills. Here is the optimal strategy:
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Maximize Q (first) – this is the main tool for dealing damage.
Why it is important:
Increasing the level of Q significantly increases damage.
Reduces the cooldown, which allows you to trade with the enemy more often.
Tip for laning: Use Q for harassing and finishing off minions, controlling the wave.
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Next, level up E – a secondary skill.
E has less damage, but is useful for mobility and dealing extra damage during plays.
Works great in tandem with Q for quick attacks and disengagement.
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Ultimate (R) is always a priority when available.
R can turn the tide of a teamfight.
Use it for aggressive entries or to save in critical situations.
W is the last to be upgraded – it is mainly needed for closing the gap and initiating.
Best Runes for Naafiri
Nafiri has three main optimal rune builds that adapt to the playstyle and enemy composition:
Aggressive build through Domination (main)
Main Runes:
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Electroshock / Deadly Tempo
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Taste of Blood
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Eye Collection
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Ruthless Hunter
Inspiration Tree:
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Magic Boots
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Cosmic Knowledge
When to take: If you want to dominate the lane and play aggressively.
Defensive build against mages or assassins
Main runes:
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Conqueror
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Taste of Blood
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Eye Collection
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Tireless Hunter
Secondary tree:
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Second Wind
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Shield Bash
When to take: Against strong mages and burst assassins, when you need more survivability.
Balanced mana control build
Main runes:
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Electroshock
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Taste of Blood
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Ultimate Hunter
Secondary tree (Inspiration):
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Cookie Delivery
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Cosmic Knowledge
When to take: If you have mana issues and it is important to maintain stability in the lane.
Additional tips for playing Naafiri
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Control mana – use Q as much as possible, but do not spam it mindlessly.
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Keep an eye on the cooldowns of your enemies, especially their defensive abilities.
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Play through quick trades, avoid protracted fights at early levels.
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In the midgame, combine the ultimate with roaming to quickly create a numerical advantage.
Naafiri Items in LoL – What to Choose in 2025
When considering a mythical artifact for Naafiri, two standout options are “Yomuu’s Ghostblade” and “Eclipse.” Both provide unique advantages that complement her abilities effectively. Among the legendary items, “Black Cleaver” and “Debt Collector” work particularly well with her, as they trigger armor reduction and execution effects thanks to her hounds. The presence of two dashes on the champion makes “Hunter’s Claw” a perfect fit, enhancing her mobility and damage output.
Additionally, if you find yourself facing a team with multiple tanks or if your allies are struggling with crowd control, swapping “Edge of Night” for “Serilda’s Grudge” can significantly improve your effectiveness in battles. Conversely, should the opposing team rely heavily on shields, opting for “Serpent’s Fang” would be a wise choice, allowing you to penetrate their defenses more easily. This strategic flexibility ensures that Naafiri can adapt to various challenges on the battlefield.
How to Roam Properly to Win More Games
A bad roam can have negative consequences not only for you, but also for your teammates. To avoid such incidents, it is vital to consider a few key factors before deciding to roam:
Wave Control
Always push a wave before roaming to minimize gold and experience losses. This will give you a chance to keep up with the enemy for a minute while out of your lane. A well-placed wave can also push your opponent back and give you a strategic advantage when you return.
Resource Assessment
Before making a move, assess the resources available to both your team and the enemy. Are your allies or opponents ready to use their ultimates or summoner spells? How much mana do they have left? Understanding these aspects is essential. Additionally, it is generally more effective to roam in lanes where you have reliable crowd control, especially if you are low on mana in that area. Number of kills or assists in their attack.
Jungle Awareness
When planning a roam, it is often advantageous to move towards the direction where your jungler is, as this greatly increases your chances of success. Having a jungler nearby can provide much-needed support. Always keep an eye on the active location of the enemy jungler; this awareness will help you avoid unexpected encounters that can lead to unfavorable situations.
Taking these elements into account will greatly increase the effectiveness of your roaming and contribute more significantly to the overall tactics of your team.
Where to go in roam?
The blue and red lines represent the color of the side you are playing for.
The sand colored circles and arrows will indicate the places from which your hooker can use a hook (Bone Skewer, Death Sentence, Rocket Grab.) through the wall to catch the enemy.
Counter Picks Against Naafiri: Best Champions For An Easy Win
Naafiri is a fairly squishy assassin, so fighters known for their critical damage like Jayce or Irelia are the best candidates to counter her effectively. Champions can quickly take her down before she can escape. Against all odds, a strong tank like Malphite can shine in this fight, soaking up damage and blocking her attacks. For those who prefer traditional mages, champions like Anivia or Orianna can also be serious contenders against this darkin, using their control and damage to keep her at bay.
