Not all champions in League of Legends are equally viable. Some are more suited for solo queue, making them rare sights in pro play. Conversely, some champions shine in professional settings but become nearly unplayable in solo queue after nerfs.
Riot Games needs to cater to a broad audience, so certain champions don’t always align with what pro players need. Nasus is one of these champions, having not been played in the LCK since 2021.
That changed on August 8, during a match between Hanwha Life Esports and OKSavingsBank BRION, when BRION’s top laner selected Nasus. This was the first time Nasus had appeared in the LCK since March 2021, marking a significant moment for the scaling top laner.
Facing a one-game deficit against Hanwha Life Esports, BRION’s top laner Morgan decided to bring out Nasus, matching him against Doran’s Kennen. The game started well for Morgan, as he secured first blood against the enemy top laner.
However, despite the strong start, Hanwha quickly gained control and defeated BRION in just 23 minutes. Morgan finished with two kills and four deaths, a respectable performance considering how one-sided the game was.
The short game duration meant that Nasus, a champion who relies on stacking his Q to reach his peak in the mid to late game, never reached his full potential. While Nasus couldn’t turn the tide in this match, his appearance shows that nearly any champion can be viable under the right circumstances.