AP Bruiser Nidalee Top

Has anyone seen anyone do this? I have toyed around with it and it seems strong, but I am hesitant to take it into an actual game.

Build path: -> -> -> -> -> -> -> -> ->

22/5/3 Masteries (going for mostly AP with 5 points for extra AD [skip penetration], AA reduction, and mana regen).

AP quints, flat armor yellows, flat MR blues, and hybrid pen reds.

and or .

Discussion: early helps amp your damage a lot, while providing mana to heal. You can get earlier, but is just too strong not to get in most cases (unless you back without 1200 gold). You can pick up another if necessary as well as long as you don't delay . You can also get before in some hard matchups, like . This provides way too much armor for people like or to even touch you, mana to keep you healing, damage for days that is easy to proc, and you can chase people down if they overextend or help your jungler when he ganks your lane. After, you can grab or but that is a judgement call for the most part; keeps you up with people, and lets face it, Cougar form grants free mobility. Also, taking over is a good idea if they are mostly a magic damage dealing team.

For the later parts of the game, you have 299 armor, 87 MR, around 2000 health + for about 840 health, and to keep you alive and kicking (oh, and 35% CDR). You have more than 400 ability power as well. Lategame you should focus on split-pushing if possible, but sieging is also a very real possibility; her spears might not be H-bomb tipped, but they are still A-bomb tipped. Her high mobility lets her really zoom around the map which makes it easy to farm, chase, and escape. Why do you think Kass is broken?

Tips:

1. Snowballing like a beast? Consider as a healthy alternative to . Realize that while your damage might be superior, your tankiness is decreased, you don't get 10% CDR, and you can't chase or peel as well. Still, damage is damage and in the right circumstances is the proper choice.

2. Look mom, I can proxy! While you certainly aren't , take a look at pros when they play . You can play very similarly behind the turret thanks to your high mobility and traps to keep an eye on the jungler. I wouldn't recommend this unless you are at least platinum though.

3. Trip them on your traps! Make sure when playing aggressively or attempting to proxy to use as many traps as possible. Also, simply placing a trap gives sight in the area if they are trying to be sneaky sneaky. Don't ever worry about ever again! (Okay, still worry just place your traps in high traffic areas.) Furthermore, you can trap a neutral creep to gain sight of it and its surroundings. It too can keep an eye on the jungler for you!

4. Point blank spears aren't as bad as you think. If you are dueling, hit them with a spear first! It resets your R, and allows you some increased damage from your abilities!

5. IT'S TIME TO DU-DU-DU-DU-DUEL! Proper combo would be spear -> pounce --> swipe -> takedown -> pounce. As Phreak would say, "Tons of damage!" He would also tell you to jungler her. Don't listen to that last bit.

6. Harassing is oh so fun! Make use of them bushes! You gain increased MS, and coming out for a short bit to AA in human form and then back into the bushes is a great tactic. Further, let's say they are on top of a nearly-dead minion. Pounce, swipe, takedown, pounce out nets you big results in a short timespan and is usually a great trade. Obviously take into account if they are who can punish this, but others like or have a difficult time against this tactic.

7. Dem spears doe! You don't need to follow up every spear. If you are sieging, just chuck spears. All day. Erryday.

Any suggestions/tips/thoughts? AND YES I KNOW AD EXISTS. I just believe this is a better way to play her considering all her Cougar abilities scale with AP as does her heal and spears!