Nunu & Willump is the simplest and most effective jungler for objective control. Q deals true damage to monsters (Smite + Q = unstealable objectives), W is a rolling gank machine, and R is an AoE nuke + shield. Perfect for beginners.
Abilities
Skills Overview
P
Call of the Freljord
Passive
Nunu increases the attack speed and Move Speed of Willump and a nearby ally, and causes Willump's basic attacks to damage enemies around the target.
Call of the Freljord: nearby ally with highest AS gets bonus AS and MS. Stay near your ADC for a free steroid.
Q
Consume
Point-Click · True Damage · Heal
Willump takes a bite out of a minion, monster, or enemy champion, dealing damage and healing himself.
CD: 13/12/11/10/9 · Cost: 60
Q deals massive true damage to monsters. Smite + Q combo makes dragon/baron steals nearly guaranteed.
W
Biggest Snowball Ever!
Dash · Knockup · AoE
Willump creates a snowball that grows in size and speed as he rolls it. The snowball damages and knocks up enemies.
CD: 14 · Cost: 50/55/60/65/70
W snowball rolls and gets bigger/faster. Knock up enemies on impact. You can steer it.
E
Snowball Barrage
AoE · Root
Nunu throws multiple snowballs that damage enemies. When he's finished, Willump roots any champions or large monsters that were hit by a snowball.
CD: 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost: 50/55/60/65/70
E throws snowballs that slow, then root after 3 hits. Auto between E casts to proc root faster.
R
Absolute Zero
Channel · AoE · Shield
Nunu & Willump create a powerful blizzard in an area that slows enemies and deals massive damage at the end.
CD: 110/100/90 · Cost: 100
R channels for 3 seconds, dealing increasing damage and giving a massive shield. Don't cancel it early.
Skill Leveling Order — Max Q first, then W, then E · R at 6 / 11 / 16
| Level | Q | W | E | R | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Take Q — consume for clear + heal | ||||
| 2 | Take W — snowball engage | ||||
| 3 | Take E — root | ||||
| 4 | Level Q | ||||
| 5 | Level Q | ||||
| 6 | R — Absolute Zero | ||||
| 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
Starter Items
Scorchclaw Smite
Burn for gank damage.
450g
Refillable Potion
Sustain.
150g
Core Build
Sunfire Cape
Immolate burn while W-rolling into enemies.
2700g
Plated Steelcaps
Armor.
1100g
Spirit Visage
Increases Q heal and R shield. Massive defensive synergy.
2900g
Randuin's Omen
Crit reduction + slow.
2700g
Situational
Thornmail
Grievous wounds + armor.
2700g
Force of Nature
MR + MS vs sustained AP.
2800g
Frozen Heart
AS slow vs auto-attackers.
2500g
Sunfire → Spirit Visage → situational tank. You're unkillable with Q healing and R shielding.
Runes
Resolve Primary
Aftershock
Procs on W knockup. Free resistances during engage.
Font of Life
W knockup and E root mark enemies — allies heal on attacks.
Conditioning
Free resistances at 12 min.
Unflinching
Tenacity when low HP.
Precision Secondary
Triumph
Heal on takedown.
Legend: Tenacity
Tenacity stacking.
Shards
Ability Haste · Armor · Health
Gameplay
How to Play Nunu & Willump
01
Early Game
Gank and Objective Control
- Start Blue → Gromp → Wolves → Raptors → Red → Krugs. Q heals you — clear is very healthy.
- Level 2 W ganks are effective. Roll from river into lane for a surprise knockup.
- Q + Smite combo secures every scuttle crab instantly. Never lose a scuttle fight.
- Gank constantly. Nunu ganks more than he farms — W is one of the best gank tools in the game.
- Q heal keeps you at full HP. You rarely need to recall.
02
Mid Game
Secure Every Dragon and Baron
- Solo dragon at level 5. Q deals massive true damage to monsters. Smite + Q = easy secure.
- W engage is simple but effective. Roll from fog of war into the enemy team for a knockup.
- R in fights: W knockup → R channel in the middle of their team → massive damage + shield.
- You should have dragon soul pressure every game. Q makes you the best objective taker.
- E root chains with W knockup. W → E → auto → auto → auto for root → Q.
03
Late Game
Frontline Tank with Unstealable Objectives
- Baron is free with Q + Smite. You deal 2000+ true damage burst to Baron. Never lose a smite fight.
- In teamfights, W engage → R in the middle of the team. Full channel R deals massive damage.
- Tank for your team. You're unkillable with Q healing and R shielding. Spirit Visage amplifies both.
- Peel with E root. If an assassin dives your carry, E root + W knockup saves them.
- Prioritize objectives over kills. Your identity is dragon/baron control, not assassinations.
Teamfighting
How to Teamfight as Nunu & Willump
Nunu is a frontline engager. W into the enemy team, R for massive AoE damage + shield, tank everything.
1
Engage — W Snowball
Rolling in
01
W from fog of war. The snowball gets bigger and faster over distance.
02
Aim for the backline carry.
03
Knockup stuns for ~1 second.
W can be interrupted by hard CC. Don't roll through Leona or Nautilus — they'll stop you.
2
Nuke — R Channel
AoE damage
01
R immediately after W knockup. Enemies are stunned during your channel.
02
Full channel deals massive damage and gives a huge shield.
03
E root enemies to keep them in R range.
3
Tank — Q Heal and Peel
Sustained fighting
01
Q anything nearby for healing. Minions, monsters, champions — all heal you.
02
E root divers targeting your carry.
03
You're the frontline. Absorb damage for your team.
R channel can be cancelled early. If enemies walk out of range, cancel and chase. But full channel is always better if they stay.
Tips & Tricks
Advanced Mechanics & Hidden Tech
Advanced mechanics for Nunu & Willump.
Basic
Q + Smite
Q deals true damage to monsters. Smite + Q together = 2000+ instant true damage. You should NEVER lose a smite fight.
Basic
W Ganking
W from fog of war for surprise knockups. Roll from river or behind terrain. The snowball gets bigger and faster over distance.
Intermediate
R Full Channel
Don't cancel R early unless enemies are escaping. Full channel deals 3x more damage than early cancel and gives a massive shield.
Basic
E Root Combo
E throws 3 snowballs. Each slows. After all 3 hit, the target is rooted. Auto between E casts to proc root faster.
Intermediate
Solo Dragon
You can solo dragon as early as level 5. Q true damage + Smite makes it fast. Ward it and take it when enemy jungler shows topside.
Advanced
W Direction Control
You can steer W snowball with your cursor. Practice steering around obstacles for surprise-angle ganks.
Basic
Q Healing
Q heals you every time. Use it on camps, minions, or champions for constant sustain. You should rarely need to recall.
Matchups
Counters & Matchups
Nunu struggles against champions who can interrupt his W or kite him. He excels against immobile teams and at objective control.
Click any matchup to expand tips & how to play against them
Loses Against
Kindred kites you endlessly and her R negates your R burst.
Don't chase Kindred. Focus on objectives — your dragon/baron control is still superior.
Graves kites your W and his burst outduels you.
Avoid 1v1s. Focus on ganking and objectives. You're more useful than Graves in team play.
Shaco boxes interrupt your W snowball and his clone wastes your R.
Sweep bushes before rolling. Don't R the clone.
Wins Against
You out-objective Amumu and your W is a better engage tool than his Q.
Contest every objective. Q + Smite wins every smite fight.
Karthus can't escape your W. Roll at him and he dies.
W from river into his jungle. He has no escape.
E root stops Yi's damage. R is a massive threat he can't dodge.
E root Yi when he Q's in. R during root for guaranteed full channel damage.