UpMatched 
Tryndamere
Top Lane Skirmisher
The Barbarian King – crit-fueled split pusher with 5s invulnerability window
VS
Nasus
Top Lane Fighter
Nasus tools define lane—manage cooldowns and wave length
Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Tryndamere wins via side‑lane pressure: stack Fury, trade on E – Spinning Slash windows, and press R – Undying Rage late; Nasus threatens forced all‑ins or chain CC when E is down. The matchup pivots at level 6 and first item (Navori) around 9–12 minutes.
Early Game (1-5)
Tryndamere Favored - Crash 3rd wave then base/ward; only short trade with E available; avoid gank window 2:45–3:15.
Mid Game (6-11)
Tryndamere Favored - Play side opposite objective; threaten tower with Navori + BORK/Hullbreaker; track TP/Atakhan timers.
Late Game (12+)
Skill Matchup - Split wins unless caught; avoid 5v5 until enemy CC down; end with Baron pressure.
Key Interactions
- E – Spinning Slash vs Nasus Spirit Fire: Hold Spinning Slash to dodge Nasus Spirit Fire; if it misses, trade 3–4s while gap is down; use minions to E through.
- W – Mocking Shout debuff window: Cast as Nasus turns to disengage to apply slow and AD reduction for 4s; convert 2–3 autos then E out.
- R – Undying Rage timing vs Nasus Fury of the Sands: Delay to ≤0.3s before lethal; negate Nasus execute/burst; chase with E reset from crits.
- Q – Bloodlust heal discipline: Heal after CC ends; one cast per wave early (≈12s CD)—sync with cannon waves for larger swings.
Tryndamere
Strengths
- Spinning Slash mobility enables engage/disengage through waves
- Undying Rage 5s invuln unlocks dives and extended fights
- Fury-crit + Bloodlust sustain allows repeat short trades with lane control
Weaknesses
- Hard CC chains from Nasus after Spinning Slash is used kill through heal
- R cooldown (120/100/80) punishable; avoid fights while down
- Heavy armor delays crit spikes; needs anti-heal in sustain lanes
Nasus
Strengths
- Nasus punishes failed E with Spirit Fire or Wither
- Can force 5v5 where side-lane value of Trynd is lower
- Armor/anti-crit items blunt snowball
Weaknesses
- Struggles to escape Q tether + E resets once Undying Rage active
- Weak to split pressure and cross-map plays
- Cooldown-dependent; windows appear after key spells are used
Power Curve Comparison EXPERIMENTAL
Power Curve Visualization
Win Conditions
Tryndamere's Win Condition
- Freeze 5–6 minions at 3:30–4:15; trade after enemy gap-close/CC used; call jungler on stacked crash
- Rush Navori then Hullbreaker; take plates on crash; set up Herald 8:00–10:00
- Track Unleashed TP 330–240s after 14:00; cross-map when enemy shows on wards
- Split opposite Atakhan/Baron; draw 2 and trade objectives
Nasus's Win Condition
- Fight during Trynd R downtime (120–100s); force short lane near tower
- Hold hard CC for post-R; kite out W slow zone; buy Bramble early
- Group to force 5v5 around 2nd dragon/Atakhan; deny side brushes with wards
Laning Phase Guide
| Level/Phase | Tryndamere | Nasus |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Start Q – Bloodlust (E if invade); last‑hit for Fury; hold E; trade only after Nasus uses main poke on minions; ward river 1:25 if pushing. | Start Siphoning Strike or Spirit Fire; hit casters for shove; punish Trynd if he uses E for poke; ward tri 2:20 if lane is long. |
| Level 2 | Take E – Spinning Slash; short trade AA×2>E through>AA; exit before jungle arrives; thin 1 caster to hold wave outside tower. | Take Spirit Fire or Wither; disengage when Trynd procs W; re‑engage after E recast; keep lane short. |
| Level 3 | Unlock W; cast as foe turns; 2–3 hits then E out; ward 3:00–3:15 pixel/river; all‑in only with minion lead. | Trade when Trynd W/E down; ping jungler for punish on bounce; thin wave before it crashes. |
| Level 4-5 | Build slow push; crash 3rd/6th wave ≈2:15/4:45; base for Vamp Scepter (900g) or Pickaxe (875g); keep lane mid. | Break freezes with help; buy early armor/MR; place Control Ward river. |
| Level 6 | All‑in with Ghost/Flash up; press R – Undying Rage at ≤0.3s to live; dive on stacked wave; track Ignite timers. | Respect dives; back off 5s after R is used then re‑engage; communicate TP timers. |
| Level 7-8 | Complete Navori; fight long lanes; vs tanks rush Hullbreaker; vs squishies rush BORK; deep ward Krugs/tri 7:30–8:30. | Match item spike; hug tower on cannon waves; call jungler if Trynd has item lead. |
| Level 9 | Max E; trade every wave: 2 autos>E through>W slow>E out; set Herald 8:00–10:00; keep vision. | Match shove with waveclear; hold CC for post‑R; ward river brush. |
Power Spikes
Level Spikes
| Tryndamere | Nasus | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Description | Level | Description |
| 3 | Minor E rank up + W unlock enables dash in/out vs Nasus after key CD | 3 | Minor Full combo online; punish if Trynd E down |
| 6 | Major R – Undying Rage creates dive windows if sums up | 6 | Major Ultimate unlock changes dive math if Trynd R down |
| 9 | Critical E max + crit chance from items allow near‑perma E with Navori | 11 | Minor Rank 2 ultimate boosts skirmish threat |
Item Spikes
| Tryndamere | Nasus | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| Navori Flickerblade (2650g) | On‑hit ability haste via crit; loops E in duels | Plated Steelcaps (1000g) | Mitigates crit autos; slows Trynd snowball |
| Blade of the Ruined King (3200g) | %HP on‑hit + slow to stick to kiters | Bramble Vest (800g) | Applies Grievous Wounds vs Bloodlust heal |
| Hullbreaker (3000g) | Tower damage + stats for side pressure | Chain Vest (800g) | Cheap armor vs crit spikes |
| Wit's End (2800g) | MR + tenacity vs AP burst/CC | ||
Best Build for Tryndamere
Starting Items
Doran's Shield + Health Potion
Core Items
Navori Flickerblade → Berserker's Greaves → Hullbreaker
Runes
Primary: Lethal Tempo, Triumph, Legend: Alacrity, Last Stand
Secondary: Second Wind, Unflinching
Summoner Spells
Flash + Ghost
Priority Build Path
1
Navori Flickerblade
Crit AS + on‑hit ability haste to chain E
2
Berserker's Greaves
Cheap AS to hit E‑loop thresholds
3
Hullbreaker
Tank shred/sideline power or stickiness vs squishies
4
Mortal Reminder
Grievous + pen vs sustain/armor stackers
Situational Adjustments
- Wit's End: Heavy AP/CC top or jungle
- Quicksilver Sash: Point‑and‑click suppressions/ults (Morde R, Malzahar mid)
Key Patterns
Lethal Combos
Tryndamere Full Combo (Level 6+):
70–100 Fury > W – Mocking Shout as Nasus turns > AA×3 > E – Spinning Slash through > AA > E reset > R – Undying Rage late
Kill from ~40–45% with BORK + Navori; delay R to last 0.3–0.5s
Nasus Escape/Counter Combo:
Bait Trynd E > Spirit Fire engage/CC > burst with Siphoning Strike/Wither > save Fury of the Sands for post‑R window
Punish when Trynd R down; chain CC to deny escapeTrading Combos
Tryndamere Short Trade:
AA > AA > E through Nasus > short kite > E back to safety
Use minions for E angles; exit at 2.5–3.0s to avoid jungle
Nasus Quick Trade:
Tag with Siphoning Strike on last‑hit > step back to drop E angle > re‑engage when E is down
Avoid extended DPS while Trynd has Fury + W upLethal Thresholds
- Tryndamere Kill Range: All‑in from ~55% with Ignite and R; ~40% with BORK + Navori
- Nasus Kill Range: Kill Trynd without R at <60% via chain CC; post‑R wait 5s then re‑engage
- Critical Levels: 3 (E2), 6 (R), 9 (E max), 11 (2‑item)
Level by Level Game Plan
| Level | Primary Goal | Lane Position | Trading Opportunities | Kill Windows | Setup Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stack Fury without losing HP | Hold wave just outside tower | Last‑hit trades only after enemy uses main poke | Low unless Q lands + minion lead | Ward 1:25 river; Ahead: slow push; Even: hold; Behind: thin and ping jungle |
| 2 | Enable dash trades | Brush control for E angle | Q heal > 2 hits > E out | Medium if enemy key CD down | Ward 2:20; Ahead: trade; Even: hold; Behind: farm under tower |
| 3 | Win short trades | Maintain minion advantage | W as they turn; 2–3 hits then E out | Medium on cannon wave | Crash 3rd wave |
| 4-5 | Recall on crash | Bounce wave then freeze | Answer poke with Q heal | Low/Medium with jungler | Buy Vamp/ Pickaxe on base |
| 6 | Open dive window | Stack wave then commit | Commit with Ghost; R last moment | High with ignite | Reset on plates |
| 7-8 | Secure item spike | Long lane for chase | E resets with crit; chase on W slow | High with item lead | Herald control |
| 9+ | Transition to side lane | Perma side | Short trades vs teamfight comps | High if isolated | Deep wards river/jungle |
| Mid Game (11-16) | Split and draw 2 | Opposite objective | Take 1v1s only | Pick rotators | Sync TP/Baron timers |
| Late Game (16+) | End via split or pick | Opposite Baron/Elder | Avoid front‑to‑back | Backline post‑CC | TP flank or end on split |
First Back Goals
Ideal Back (1200–1500g)
- Vampiric Scepter (900g)
- Dagger (300g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Crash stacked wave (≈2:15/4:45) then base—keep tempo
Standard Back (800–1100g)
- Pickaxe (875g)
- Boots (300g)
Base on bounce; keep TP for cross‑map
Anti‑poke (1300g)
- Null‑Magic Mantle (450g)
- Ruby Crystal (400g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Into AP/ranged; stabilize and hold freeze
Teamfight Tips
| Aspect | Tryndamere | Nasus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Split pusher/backline diver | Frontliner or pick |
| Target Priority | ADC/immobile mid Jungler on objective {b} if isolatable |
Tryndamere during R downtime Backline divers Objective DPS |
| Objective Control | Split to draw 2; start Baron if they send 2 Trade Atakhan/Baron for inhibs |
Force 5v5 on spawn Turn on Trynd after R expires |
| Positioning | Fight in long side lane; flank after enemy CC Avoid river chokes |
Peel carries; ward side brushes; deny flanks |
| Other Tips | Hold R until ≤0.3s; kite during invuln Use E to cross walls and drop aggro |
Save displacement for post‑R; deep ward side lane brushes |