Nasus

Nasus is a 1-cost Space Groove and Vanguard champion that usually plays as a frontline sustain unit. Its sustain or shielding makes it valuable when it survives long enough to buy time for the rest of the board. Nasus appears in Protect Teemo and Bonk! lines, so keep copies when those boards are open.

Consider playing around Nasus when you hit early pairs or a fast two-star copy in Stage 2. For items, Gargoyle Stoneplate and Sunfire Cape are strong signals that Nasus can stay on the board. For team direction, it fits naturally when you are already moving toward Protect Teemo and Bonk!. If it stays one-star, the traits do not activate, or the items point elsewhere, treat it as a transition unit instead of forcing the line.

Gargoyle Stoneplate, Sunfire Cape and Warmog's Armor are recommended. Gargoyle Stoneplate scales well when several enemies target the same frontliner, Sunfire Cape applies burn and anti-heal from the front row and Warmog's Armor raises raw health for units expected to take early aggro. The point of the setup is to keep it alive long enough to cast and hold the frontline.

When the perfect setup is not available, use Bramble Vest, Dragon's Claw and Evenshroud as substitutes. For frontline substitutes, prioritize durability, sustain, and opening damage reduction without stealing every carry item. If Nasus is only a trait slot, one useful item is enough and the premium items should go to your real carry or main tank.

Early: use Nasus as a cheap stabilizer and Space Groove and Vanguard opener when you hit pairs or usable items. Mid game: chase three-star only if the copies come naturally; otherwise prepare to move premium items. Late game: keep it mainly as a trait piece unless it is upgraded and itemized.

Place Nasus as a main frontliner, usually same side as the enemy carry so it absorbs the first wave. If the opponent has strong single-target burst, add another tank beside it. It starts with some mana, making the first cast timing important.