Naafiri is the simplest assassin. No complex combos — Q to poke, Q recast to dash, W for burst, R for all-in. Perfect for learning assassin fundamentals.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
We Are More
Passive
Naafiri spawns packmates that attack the targets of her attacks and abilities.
Packmates: Naafiri has packmates that attack with her. They deal bonus damage on her abilities.
Q
Darkin Daggers
Skillshot · Dash (on hit)
Naafiri hurls up to two daggers, each inflicting bleed, or each inflicting bonus damage if the target is already bleeding.Packmates leap to attack the first champion or monster hit by this skill.
CD: 9/8.5/8/7.5/7 · Cost: 50/60/70/80/90
Q fires a blade. If it hits a champion, you can recast to DASH to them. Long range poke into gap-close.
W
The Call of the Pack
Dash · AoE · Bleed
Naafiri becomes Untargetable and empowers her pack, spawning additional packmates and gaining increased Move Speed and Attack Damage.
CD: 26/24/22/20/18 · Cost: 60
W dashes forward dealing AoE damage and applying bleed. Your burst tool.
E
Eviscerate
AoE · Heal · Packmate Summon
Naafiri dashes and damages enemies in an area around her, recalling her packmates and fully healing them.
CD: 11/10/9/8/7 · Cost: 40
E damages nearby enemies and heals you. Also summons more packmates.
R
Hounds' Pursuit
Dash · Vision · Packmate Buff
Naafiri and her packmates dash at a champion, dealing damage. Naafiri reveals nearby enemies if she scores a takedown and can recast this Ability once. The second cast grants a shield.
CD: 110/95/80 · Cost: 100
R dashes to the area, increases your vision, and empowers packmates. They deal more damage and attack faster.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then W, then E · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q | ||||
| 2 | Take W — dash | ||||
| 3 | Take E — heal | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — The Call of the Pack | ||||
| 7 | Level Q | ||||
| 8 | Level W | ||||
| 9 | Q maxed ✓ | ||||
| 10 | Level W | ||||
| 11 | R rank 2 | ||||
| 12 | Level W | ||||
| 13 | Level W | ||||
| 14 | W maxed ✓ | ||||
| 15 | Level E | ||||
| 16 | R rank 3 | ||||
| 17 | Level E | ||||
| 18 | E maxed ✓ |
Itemization
Recommended Builds
Core Build
Duskblade of Draktharr
Lethality + invis on kill.
3100g
Ionian Boots
CDR.
950g
Edge of Night
Spell shield.
2900g
Youmuu's Ghostblade
Lethality + MS.
2900g
Situational
Death's Dance
Bleed passive.
3300g
Lord Dominik's Regards
Armor pen.
2900g
Guardian Angel
Revive.
3200g
Full lethality. Q hit → dash → W burst → kill.
Runes
Domination Primary
Electrocute
Q + W + auto procs.
Sudden Impact
Lethality after W/R dash.
Eyeball Collection
Free AD.
Treasure Hunter
Gold on kills.
Precision Secondary
Triumph
Heal on kill.
Last Stand
Bonus damage when low.
Shards
Adaptive Force · Adaptive Force · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Naafiri
01
Early Game
Q Poke, All-In at 3
- Q poke from range. If it hits, recast to dash onto them.
- W dash for burst trades. W → Q → auto.
- E heal between trades for sustain.
- Packmates deal bonus damage. More packmates = more burst.
- Play aggressive. Your level 3 all-in is strong.
02
Mid Game
Roam and Kill
- R empowers packmates for massive burst.
- R → Q hit → Q dash → W → auto → kill.
- Roam to side lanes for kills. Push wave → roam.
- E summons more packmates after kills.
- Duskblade invis after kills for escape.
03
Late Game
Pack Assassin
- R → full pack burst kills any squishy instantly.
- Q long-range poke → dash for picks.
- W bleed adds significant damage over time.
- E healing keeps you alive through fights.
- Simple but effective — all-in the carry, kill them, walk away.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Naafiri
Naafiri R → Q → W all-ins the carry with pack damage.
1
Engage — R + Q
Gap close
01
R for pack buff.
02
Q hit → Q dash to target.
03
Packmates swarm the target.
Don't dive without R. Packmates need R buff for maximum damage.
2
Burst — W + Auto
Kill
01
W dash for burst + bleed.
02
Auto-attacks with packmates.
03
E for healing.
3
Escape — Duskblade
After kill
01
Duskblade invis on kill.
02
Walk away or find next target.
03
E heal if low.
Naafiri is designed for beginners. If you're learning assassins, start here — no complex combos needed.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Naafiri.
Basic
Q Double Cast
Q fires a blade. If it hits a champion, recast Q to DASH to them. Poke → gap-close in one ability.
Basic
Packmates
Packmates attack with you. More packmates = more damage. R empowers them.
Basic
W Burst
W dashes forward dealing burst + bleed. Your main damage tool.
Intermediate
E Heal
E heals you and summons more packmates. Use between trades for sustain.
Basic
R All-In
R buffs everything — vision, packmates, damage. Press R before all-ins.
Basic
Beginner Assassin
If you're new to assassins, Naafiri is the best starter. Simple kit, effective play.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Naafiri struggles against poke mages who harass before she can Q-dash and tanks who survive her burst.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Wall blocks your W dash. Outranges you.
Roam instead of fighting.
R self-cast counters your dive.
Bait her R, then all-in.
R suppresses through your all-in.
Buy QSS.
Wins Against
Immobile. Q dash through cage.
Q → dash through cage → kill.
No escape from your all-in.
Q hit → dash → W → dead.
Squishy and immobile.
Q → dash → burst → dead.