Some clarification on Nautilus' current state.

It seems like there has been quite a rabble about Nautilus the past few months, so I thought I'd clarify a few things being a Nautilus main since S5.

I still remember playing Nautilus season 5, when everyone else was thinking that he was a shitty support, that does shit in lane. Yeah he was rarely picked, but guess what, he was still as strong as now. The main problem is, the community will ALWAYS follow whatever the pros will play or make meta. Take Viktor top for example, it started getting popular ONLY after it started seeing play in the esports scene, even though it was a thing long before that, an unpopular thing to be specific.

Now back to Nautilus, IIRC, he got popular during Season 6 when pros were playing him toplane I have no idea how, then voila, people started complaining about him, even though he was almost completely the SAME before. A few nerfs later, he disappeared from the rift.

Few months prior to today, Nautilus received 2 buffs:

Staggering Blow Staggering Blow Root duration increased to 0.75 − 1.5 (based on level) seconds from 0.5 − 1.5 (based on level). Dredge Line Dredge Line Base damage increased to 100 / 145 / 190 / 235 / 280 from 80 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240. AP ratio increased to 90% AP from 75% AP.

The root duration isn't that immense of a buff, it did help him out a bit more, and it was a welcome buff. However, the second buff, is unexplainable. The only thing that Nautilus needs is probably a W rework/buff, maybe to help him out jungle again. The second buff was completely unneeded.

Then Nautilus became "meta" again, even though he was always an extremely potent support long ago. Right after these buffs, Riot straight up reverted the second change, realizing that it broke the champion more than helping it.

However, people started realizing that Nautilus is still a very decent support, that his CC, his engages, his disengages, and overall tankiness are very valuable botlane. He's still popular botlane, and it's funny because his current balance state is similar to what he was years ago, aka a troll or niche pick.

Just know that meta does not mean shit most of the times. Stick to what you play/like playing.