Is there a reason to pick the former over the latter (and viceversa) or is it up to personal preference?
To me, it looks like they both do the same things, with the only difference being that Nami is slightly stronger in lane, while Sona is slightly stronger outside of lane.
Am I missing something?
Ambient Snow15 votesOnes a D cup the other is maybe a B cup
XIII Vanitas1 votesYou have a point.
SaltyKracka4 votesSona's aggressive, Nami's defensive.
XIII Vanitas1 votesNot really. Nami is one of the most aggressive supports in lane, being able to outrade opponents at level 1 with her W.
DontDieRespawn2 votes[{quoted}](name=RUCK FICKY,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ee5KgrlH,comment-id=00010000,timestamp=2017-02-28T21:00:00.415+0000)
Not really. Nami is one of the most aggressive supports in lane, being able to outrade opponents at level 1 with her W.
Why would you start with ebb and flow when you can get an easy first blood with aqua prison?
XIII Vanitas1 votesBecause:
1. it's not easy to get a first blood with Q start: Nami and her adc usually don't have the level 1 damage to score a kill on a full hp enemy that has heal, flash and exhaust available;
2. if Nami misses her Q, she completely loses lane pressure, which means that the enemy bot lane can push harder for the level 2 powerspike and take a huge advantage in lane;
3. W start allows Nami to out-trade her opponents in lane, thus creating lane pressure which allows her to reach the level 2 powerspike faster, unlock her Q and try to score a kill with her adc on a wounded and stunned enemy.
DontDieRespawn1 votes[{quoted}](name=RUCK FICKY,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ee5KgrlH,comment-id=0001000000000000,timestamp=2017-02-28T23:22:22.246+0000)
Because:
1. it's not easy to get a first blood with Q start: Nami and her adc usually don't have the level 1 damage to score a kill on a full hp enemy that has heal, flash and exhaust available;
2. if Nami misses her Q, she completely loses lane pressure, which means that the enemy bot lane can push harder for the level 2 powerspike and take a huge advantage in lane;
3. W start allows Nami to out-trade her opponents in lane, thus creating lane pressure which allows her to reach the level 2 powerspike faster, unlock her Q and try to score a kill with her adc on a wounded and stunned enemy.
I main support I know what Nami and her adc can do and any support that does not start with their cc has no idea how to support. I have gotten countless first bloods with Nami. q + flash + exhaust + an adc that knows what they are doing = first blood. More times than not the other teams support exhausts me because my adc is too far away, or doesn't use it at all. Even if their adc burns their flash I will kill them with my next aqua prison. It's a simple concept and works very well. You can argue it doesn't work all you want, I know it works I do it.
Mysticman891 votesWeird how every single pro nami player starts w though.
DontDieRespawn1 votesWeird how every single pro nami player starts w though.
It is weird since every cc support should with their cc and 90% do and I have never seen a "pro" play Nami. Your adc starts Dorans blade why do you need to heal them? why not go for first blood? I can get first blood with Leona, all I have to do is start with her stun.
Mysticman891 votesNami was one of the most played supports in season 6 worlds, and you can always pull up probuilds to see what pros are doing on any given champ these days.
W start isn't to heal your adc, it's to poke the enemy laners to ensure lane control, ideally with double bounces. This will typically ensure level 2 first, which often gives lane dominance. Taking Q second isn't uncommon by contrast (although some will wait until 3 or even 4 if they're not worried about ganks).
Landing a Q without a slow should literally never happen beyond gold or so, since there is always enough time to sidestep it otherwise. You can look up the timings on this if you're skeptical. As a result, bubble start is only useful if you catch the enemy invading as a zoning tool, but you'll never land one unless your enemy makes a mistake.
Maybe if you run up to them (losing about half your health in most match ups as nami is one of the squishiest in the game), exhaust them, and then bubble, you might be able to force a flash, but you certainly won't get first blood off it, and in many match ups you'd actually give them first blood by doing so, as now you have no exhaust and are half health as one of the squishiest supports in the game.
Leona should generally start with her stun, but it's more for the autoattack reset to be able to instaclear wards. If someone is foolish enough to facecheck a brush against a leona then you can get a flash out of it, but you shouldn't get first blood from it unless you've got more than just your adc with you. (Maaaybe draven if you're running ignite might be able get get a cheesy first blood off it, but again, it relies on an enemy mistake.)
DontDieRespawn1 votesNami was one of the most played supports in season 6 worlds, and you can always pull up probuilds to see what pros are doing on any given champ these days.
W start isn't to heal your adc, it's to poke the enemy laners to ensure lane control, ideally with double bounces. This will typically ensure level 2 first, which often gives lane dominance. Taking Q second isn't uncommon by contrast (although some will wait until 3 or even 4 if they're not worried about ganks).
Landing a Q without a slow should literally never happen beyond gold or so, since there is always enough time to sidestep it otherwise. You can look up the timings on this if you're skeptical. As a result, bubble start is only useful if you catch the enemy invading as a zoning tool, but you'll never land one unless your enemy makes a mistake.
Maybe if you run up to them (losing about half your health in most match ups as nami is one of the squishiest in the game), exhaust them, and then bubble, you might be able to force a flash, but you certainly won't get first blood off it, and in many match ups you'd actually give them first blood by doing so, as now you have no exhaust and are half health as one of the squishiest supports in the game.
Leona should generally start with her stun, but it's more for the autoattack reset to be able to instaclear wards. If someone is foolish enough to facecheck a brush against a leona then you can get a flash out of it, but you shouldn't get first blood from it unless you've got more than just your adc with you. (Maaaybe draven if you're running ignite might be able get get a cheesy first blood off it, but again, it relies on an enemy mistake.)
I have been playing Nami since release and spammed her for a year straight, perhaps I just have enough experience to make aqua prison get first blood. If you read into their adc it is hard to miss them, unless it is Lucian, Ezreal or Vayne. I never said the first aqua prison would get the first blood, but I will get it before level two.
Example: I land aqua prison (which is really easy to do as long as you are paying attention to their movement patterns.) My adc and I get a lot of unanswered shots in. I exhaust their adc, at this point they have to flash or die. If they do not leave lane the next aqua prison I land, which I tend to land a hell of a lot of them, they will be dead. Even better if they have a tank support I will kill them with aqua prison even easier while their adc is trying to cs. Another perk of starting aqua prison is you can starve the other adc while they try to cs.
I know for me this is possible, I won't argue the point anymore. If you can not pull this off that's you not me.
Mysticman891 votesIt's not about predicting movement patterns, it's that the cast time and animation is long enough that anyone who is not lagging literally has enough time to reactively sidestep. You could have aimed it perfectly so that the bubble lands dead center on where they were going to move, or aimed it perfect at where they currently are, or even aimed it somewhere they're neither are or currently moving towards, and it wouldn't matter, since they'd simply move elsewhere or not move into it. It's mathematically provable that this is possible, and it's not even something that requires perfect reflexes.
Sure you can deny them one or two cs at level 1 as they sidestep the bubble instead of getting the cs, but no amount of skill will make you land it against a reasonably skilled opponent. That's just a fact about game mechanics, rather than anyones particular skill level.
(Incidently, you only seem to have 6 games on nami in ranked over the past 4 seasons, and only 3 more in normals, most of which were losses against bronze 5 players, so pointing to your personal experience with nami seems counterproductive to your point. Although again, it's not about experience, so much as fundamental game mechanics making it theoretically impossible to land a bubble without a mistake on the opponents part or other cc/zoning skill shots.)
DontDieRespawn1 votesIt's not about predicting movement patterns, it's that the cast time and animation is long enough that anyone who is not lagging literally has enough time to reactively sidestep. You could have aimed it perfectly so that the bubble lands dead center on where they were going to move, or aimed it perfect at where they currently are, or even aimed it somewhere they're neither are or currently moving towards, and it wouldn't matter, since they'd simply move elsewhere or not move into it. It's mathematically provable that this is possible, and it's not even something that requires perfect reflexes.
Sure you can deny them one or two cs at level 1 as they sidestep the bubble instead of getting the cs, but no amount of skill will make you land it against a reasonably skilled opponent. That's just a fact about game mechanics, rather than anyones particular skill level.
(Incidently, you only seem to have 6 games on nami in ranked over the past 4 seasons, and only 3 more in normals, most of which were losses against bronze 5 players, so pointing to your personal experience with nami seems counterproductive to your point. Although again, it's not about experience, so much as fundamental game mechanics making it theoretically impossible to land a bubble without a mistake on the opponents part or other cc/zoning skill shots.)
I play against bronze and silver, so yes the aqua prison works for first blood on that level of league. I am typically playing against an unskilled adc that do not pay attention. I never said this would work against gold + I have never reached that tier.
Incidentally the site you are getting your information from is full of shit, I have played her a lot more than that even getting her in aram multiple times, find a new place for information. Other than that, yes I stopped playing Nami because I saw that anything other than a tank support is trash, it's all about snowballing for your adc.
Zone of Endless1 votesIt is weird since every cc support should with their cc and 90% do and I have never seen a "pro" play Nami. Your adc starts Dorans blade why do you need to heal them? why not go for first blood? I can get first blood with Leona, all I have to do is start with her stun.
Starting Q on nami level 1 does close to nothing for lane. There's simply not enough damage level 1 from ADC and the support to take advantage of the stun.
W is safer because it's a point and click ability that does damage and heal you back. Because of that it put out much more pressure on the enemy at level 1 than Q.
Halftime Illaoi4 votesThe realistic difference between Nami and Sona is that Sona is more heavily geared towards aggressive Pressure, while Nami is situated firmly on the side of aggressive Zone Control. All of Sona's abilities directly affect the state of a trade by changing Numbers, in that sense the easiest way to play around her is to account for the change in numbers, which involves usually playing more defensively and relinquishing other advantages you could have had instead. With the exception of her ult, which is her only CC ability.
On the flip side, Nami's W is her only ability for which the primary function is to affect numbers, but it's still easy enough to play around while retaining aggressive trading. However, all of her abilities change the way her enemy laners need to position to avoid being punished. Her Q means that enemy laners can't stand too close to eachother for risk of both being caught, but also means they shouldn't dive and stick to you or your carry, because it's easier to hit a closer target. If they stand too close to you or your carry while trading, your W will get both its damage and healing sides, and your E makes it more difficult for them to change their position on the fly.
Basically the difference is, if Sona is DDR, Nami is Minesweeper.
XIII Vanitas1 votesThat's some useful insight, thanks.
Divine Winds3 votesNami has a tail and it's kind of awkward dating her. Especially on the fourth or fifth date and she follows you into your house.
Sona can't speak. So be prepared for some awkward silences.
420 grams2 votesSona pokes better and heals multiple people better. Nami has better cc with q and ult.
XIII Vanitas1 votesSona heals two players (herself and the closest ally with the lowest amount of hp) and can shield her entire team. Nami can heal up to two players if her W bounces on an enemy.
Sona has a large aoe stun with a fast travel time. Nami has a small aoe stun with a slow travel time and a huge aoe knock-up with the slowest travel time ever.
420 grams1 votes[{quoted}](name=RUCK FICKY,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ee5KgrlH,comment-id=00020000,timestamp=2017-02-28T21:07:49.028+0000)
Sona heals two players (herself and the closest ally with the lowest amount of hp) and can shield her entire team. Nami can heal up to two players if her W bounces on an enemy.
Sona has a large aoe stun with a fast travel time. Nami has a small aoe stun with a slow travel time and a huge aoe knock-up with the slowest travel time ever.
Yup
DontDieRespawn2 votesYou asked a question that you should have been able to answer yourself, it's just a logic question. Then when someone gives you a logical answer you argue. I should have known you would argue logic, you couldn't answer a self explanatory question so you posted it here. I am not insulting you most of the world has very little logic some people have none, that's just a fact. i.e Most kids in high school can't pass a g.e.d test because the test it is only based on logic.
XIII Vanitas1 votesAre you that salty just because I didn't agree with you on something and I explained why?
Damn, get off your high horse and try to grow up a little.
DontDieRespawn2 votes[{quoted}](name=RUCK FICKY,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ee5KgrlH,comment-id=00090000,timestamp=2017-03-01T01:20:18.153+0000)
Are you that salty just because I didn't agree with you on something and I explained why?
Damn, get off your high horse and try to grow up a little.
No I am not salty and it seems you don't even know the proper definition of salty like so many others. You compulsively came up with a scenario of how my idea wouldn't work, because you start with ebb and flow so I couldn't be right starting aqua prison. You tried to discredit a logically sound idea, because it dosn't suit your play style, correct me if I am wrong. You also told me I am incorrect whilst I have gotten first blood with my method many times. If you can't get first blood with this method perhaps you should practice Nami more instead of telling me I am wrong. You came here asking questions, I gave you an answer you aren't comfortable with, that doesn't make the answer false.
XIII Vanitas1 votesYes, you're wrong. I simply explained why I think that starting Q is not a good idea, bringing three major points that you haven't answered yet. And then you post this comment where you're saying that I'm not basing my reasoning on logic, while it's the complete opposite. So, yeah, you're salty af because I didn't accept what you believe and I questioned it (which is the very foundation of critical thinking).
DontDieRespawn1 votes[{quoted}](name=RUCK FICKY,realm=EUW,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=Ee5KgrlH,comment-id=0009000000000000,timestamp=2017-03-01T23:27:57.070+0000)
Yes, you're wrong. I simply explained why I think that starting Q is not a good idea, bringing three major points that you haven't answered yet. And then you post this comment where you're saying that I'm not basing my reasoning on logic, while it's the complete opposite. So, yeah, you're salty af because I didn't accept what you believe and I questioned it (which is the very foundation of critical thinking).
People like you that don't even know what the proper definition of salty and throw it around like fools, just like your ebb and flow. Ironic and amusing.
Your points mean shit, according to your match history you suck with supports. You play easy mode blitz and win yet lose with any support that snowballs. I don't even know why you think you have the right to lecture me you are unranked. I might be bronze this season, but I have been silver whilst you don't even try. All the champions you play and win with take little to no skill, you lose with champions that require skill. You don't even know how to build, I saw one of your aram games you started Warmogs on Kench as if Warmogs is viable as your first item, Warmogs is the one item in the game that is useless to start with. I see why you can't get my Nami point, it takes skill to start aqua prison.
Glilab1 votesPeople like you that don't even know what the proper definition of salty and throw it around like fools, just like your ebb and flow. Ironic and amusing.
Your points mean shit, according to your match history you suck with supports. You play easy mode blitz and win yet lose with any support that snowballs. I don't even know why you think you have the right to lecture me you are unranked. I might be bronze this season, but I have been silver whilst you don't even try. All the champions you play and win with take little to no skill, you lose with champions that require skill. You don't even know how to build, I saw one of your aram games you started Warmogs on Kench as if Warmogs is viable as your first item, Warmogs is the one item in the game that is useless to start with. I see why you can't get my Nami point, it takes skill to start aqua prison.
HAHAahah i know this is an old post but the fact you said you aren't salty and then proceed to check this guy's match history and reference his skill with supports, even though he didn't even say 'I AM A PRO SUPPORT' + an ARAM game? oh my god this is the funniest thing thank you [sg-miss-fortune]
MagicFlyingLlama1 votesNami has much stronger single-target healing and better peel/CC.
Sona does 
XIII Vanitas1 votesSona does
What do you mean?
Edit: nevermind, I got it. #PunsOfDamage
DontDieRespawn1 votesOne of the big problems with Nami is if Vayne or Ezreal are picked into her, you're going to miss a lot of aqua prisons, where as Sona is easy mode. Nami takes a lot more skill, you have to read into the opposing adc to land aqua prison. Sona is for lazy people and as long as the other team has a healing support your adc isn't going to get fed until she gets her ult. Yet Nami she has a much better pay off, easy first blood at level one. Her ult is amazing when in lane, combo ult + aqua prison = two dead bot champions.
Sirsir1 votesNami is hard to use with higher potential in teamfights, Sona is easy peasy with less utility and higher lane harass.
Also Sona can be built full AP and oneshot carries that don't buy 
Shadòw1 votesNami is a fish
The Yetii Rider1 votesThe passive on Sona's Crescendo means that Sona scales much harder into the late game. This is particularly true when you compare her to Nami, who, while she has more relative power on her base abilities, also has quite a high base cooldown for each of them (10/10/12 at level 18, so even with 45% CDR you are waiting 5 seconds to cast an ability again).
However, Sona is much more dependent on maximum mana and mana regen, especially once her CDR passive gets going. The bonus regeneration from 
when you get an assist can help but usually is not enough. That's why when I'm planning to get to level 16 as Sona (it doesn't always happen because support XP is absolutely terrible) I will stack an 
. The 25% refund is amazing on Sona, since it can give her 300ish extra mana every 10 seconds late game.
Nami's higher base healing on Ebb and Flow makes it much better when used with (the cap is the amount of healing normally done) and Windspeakers/Heal Power (increase the total, and most of the total comes from the base). Additionally, and this is very important, Nami is able to A) target the person she heals rather than it being based on who is lowest and B) she has a much longer range on her healing.
Nami also gives MS to everyone for free. Sona has to use a whole ability to do that.