Nocturne, the Eternal Nightmare Review

I’ve been playing the new champion Nocturne, the Eternal Nightmare since his release yesterday for the game League of Legends.  I have to say that his jungling is a bit OP at the moment. He can clear the jungle under 4 minutes if he doesn’t die and can get a leash on Blue Buff aka Golemn. Even without a leash it can be accomplished in under 4min and 15seconds. That is one fast jungler, he is however very squishy and can be easily taken out. But, like Akali and Master Yi who are damage dealing assassins can bring about a bunch of damage.  Definitely able to face melt squishy targets such as the enemy team’s carries and DPS if they don’t build any form of health or mitigation. Personally I feel the crazy damage he can dish out balances out with how very squishy and easily he can be killed. His jungling aspect is very strong and can do pretty well in a solo lane like in mid or top solo if both teams have a jungler. Otherwise his laning in a dual lane is mediocre at best since he is so squishy.  His health pool is low but that’s to be expected from an assassin oriented champion.

Nocturne synergizes well with attack speed items and lifesteal. So for item builds I’d suggest grabbing a Wriggles lantern if your jungling otherwise try and rush Youmuu’s Ghostblade if your laning.  If you are doing well and your jungling rush for a BF Sword to turn into a Bloodthirster and then Youmuu’s Ghostblade, if not do the opposite. Then build yourself a Banshee’s Veil if you really need it otherwise Phantom Dancer and to round it off if the game is still going a Inifinty Edge for more demoralization with the crazy critical strike damage and the lifesteal you getting back for survivability.  I would not suggest going to tanky armor and magic resist wise because then your hurting your own damage output. Frozen mallet or a Banshee’s Veil is about all the health you really need to survive and take someone down with you.  Be careful using your ultimate as well especially during team fights.  Remember Nocturne is an assassin so a 5v5 or a 3v3 isn’t the ideal situation for him with his ultimate since he is very squishy.  His fear is good but later on with Mercury Treads is becomes kind of negligible.  Definitely a good well rounded kit overall though to portray his unique nightmare boogey man esque theme which allows for good ganking possiblities.
Runes are probably the same as you would get on any jungler or on any physical damage dealer.  Armor Penetration Marks, Dodge or Armor Seals, Attack Speed or Magic Resist Glyphs, and Armor Penetration or Flat Health Quintessences.  Masteries are 21/0/9 for increased buff duration and the improved smite along with the increased armor penetration, attack speed, and minion damage to help speed up your jungling.  Also skill priority R>Q>E>W.  Start with W if your are jungling otherwise Q for laning.
Figure I throw a mini play guide in with the review of Nocturne for those that are experienced players and just want the general idea of how to build him.
That’s my review of Nocturne, the Eternal Nightmare and for those that want something of a score or rating out of 10. Overall I’d say he’s an 8/10.  He’s fun and unique, definitely adds something new for strategies in games and how the game is played due to his ultimate. The synergy he has with Twisted Fate’s ultimate is another thing. Good ganker and overall a well kitted assassin by the Riot Development Team.  As for fighting against him he goes into the anti-fun department with his Ultimate since you can’t see anything around you for 4 seconds except for like a 300-400 range circle around you which isn’t much.  But that is also a part of design/theme so just something people will have to get used to over time.