10 Best Champions To Counter Naafari In League of Legends

Naafiri, the Hound of a Hundred Bites, is a formidable mid-lane assassin in League of Legends, known for her high burst damage, mobility, and ability to quickly eliminate priority targets. Her kit allows her to engage swiftly and deal significant damage, making her a challenging opponent. However, Naafiri has specific weaknesses that can be exploited with the right champion picks. Champions with strong crowd control, sustain, and the ability to withstand her burst can effectively counter her aggressive playstyle. In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best champions to counter Naafiri and provide strategies to limit her impact on the game.

#10: Annie

Annie is a strong counter to Naafiri due to her reliable crowd control, burst damage, and ability to punish Naafiri’s aggressive engages. Naafiri relies on diving onto her targets with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and dealing high burst damage, but Annie’s Pyromania (Passive) allows her to stun Naafiri before she can finish her combo. Additionally, Disintegrate (Q) provides consistent poke and prevents Naafiri from freely roaming or looking for aggressive trades. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Summon: Tibbers (R), which delivers a large AoE stun and follow-up damage, punishing Naafiri if she tries to all-in. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can lock her down and burst her before she can escape, Annie forces her into a difficult matchup where she has limited kill pressure.

#9: Orianna

Orianna is a strong counter to Naafiri due to her zoning capabilities, shielded sustain, and ability to punish Naafiri’s all-ins. Naafiri thrives on quick engages with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and burst damage, but Orianna’s Command: Dissonance (W) slows her down and makes it difficult for Naafiri to stick to her target. Additionally, Command: Protect (E) provides a shield that helps Orianna mitigate Naafiri’s burst damage, allowing her to survive trades and poke Naafiri in return. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Command: Shockwave (R), which provides a massive AoE displacement that can completely shut down Naafiri’s engage and set up easy follow-up damage. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can control the pace of the lane and force her into extended fights, Orianna makes it difficult for her to find favorable engages.

#8: Kayle

Kayle is a strong counter to Naafiri due to her ability to outscale, sustain through trades, and negate Naafiri’s burst damage. Naafiri thrives on quick all-ins with Hound’s Pursuit (W), but Kayle’s ranged attacks after level 6 with Starfire Spellblade (E) allow her to poke Naafiri from a safe distance. Additionally, Celestial Blessing (W) provides healing and movement speed, helping Kayle escape Naafiri’s aggressive engages. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Divine Judgment (R), which grants invulnerability and completely negates Naafiri’s burst, making it impossible for her to secure kills. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can outscale her and kite her in extended fights, Kayle forces her into a difficult matchup where she loses her early-game advantage and becomes much less effective later in the game.

#7: Zed

Zed is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his superior mobility, outplay potential, and ability to burst her down before she can finish her combo. Naafiri relies on engaging with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and dealing quick burst damage, but Zed’s Living Shadow (W) allows him to reposition and avoid her abilities. Additionally, Shadow Slash (E) slows Naafiri, making it harder for her to escape trades. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Death Mark (R), which allows Zed to dodge her damage while applying lethal burst when it activates, often securing the kill before she can retaliate. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can outmaneuver her and deal high burst damage, Zed forces her into a difficult matchup where she has little room to play aggressively.

#6: Hwei

Hwei is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his long-range poke, zoning abilities, and crowd control that makes it difficult for her to engage effectively. Naafiri relies on closing the gap with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and bursting enemies down, but Hwei’s Calamitous Strike (Q) slows and damages her before she can fully engage. Additionally, Devastation (E) provides strong poke, making it hard for Naafiri to find safe trades. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Spiraling Despair (R), which forces her to stay in fights longer than she wants, reducing her mobility and preventing her from executing quick burst trades. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can poke her down and control the battlefield, Hwei forces her into a matchup where she has difficulty engaging and finding effective kills.

#5: Swain

Swain is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his sustain, crowd control, and ability to punish her aggressive engages. Naafiri relies on diving onto her targets with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and bursting them down quickly, but Swain’s Nevermove (E) can root her and prevent her from escaping, forcing her into an extended fight where he thrives. Additionally, Vision of Empire (W) provides poke and slows her, making it harder for her to reposition. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Demonic Ascension (R), which grants Swain massive healing and AoE damage, allowing him to outlast her burst and turn fights in his favor. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can sustain through her damage and lock her down, Swain forces her into a matchup where she loses her kill pressure and struggles to win trades.

#4: Cho’Gath

Cho’Gath is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his tankiness, crowd control, and ability to outlast her burst. Naafiri relies on quick all-ins with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and Darkin Daggers (Q), but Cho’Gath’s Rupture (Q) can knock her up before she reaches him, disrupting her engage. Additionally, Feral Scream (W) silences her, preventing her from using abilities and escaping trades effectively. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Feast (R), which deals massive true damage and can execute her before she gets a chance to disengage. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can absorb her damage and punish her for committing to fights, Cho’Gath forces her into a matchup where she has difficulty securing kills and maintaining pressure.

#3: Pantheon

Pantheon is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his early-game dominance, point-and-click crowd control, and ability to block her damage. Naafiri relies on quick burst engages with Hound’s Pursuit (W), but Pantheon’s Aegis Assault (E) allows him to completely block her primary damage, reducing her all-in effectiveness. Additionally, Comet Spear (Q) provides consistent poke, making it difficult for Naafiri to take favorable trades. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Shield Vault (W), which is a guaranteed stun that interrupts her engage and sets up easy follow-up damage. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can outduel her early and shut down her burst combos, Pantheon forces her into a matchup where she has little room to play aggressively.

#2: Malphite

Malphite is a strong counter to Naafiri due to his ability to absorb her burst, slow her attack speed, and shut down her engages with crowd control. Naafiri relies on dealing quick burst damage with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and Darkin Daggers (Q), but Malphite’s Granite Shield (Passive) gives him extra durability, making it difficult for her to deal meaningful damage. Additionally, Ground Slam (E) reduces Naafiri’s attack speed, weakening her all-in potential. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Unstoppable Force (R), which provides a massive knock-up that completely disrupts her engage and allows Malphite’s team to burst her down before she can escape. Since Naafiri struggles against tanks who can absorb her damage and counter-engage, Malphite forces her into a passive playstyle where she has difficulty finding successful all-ins.

#1: Cassiopeia

Cassiopeia is the best counter to Naafiri due to her ability to kite, sustain through trades, and shut down Naafiri’s all-ins with crowd control. Naafiri relies on diving onto her targets with Hound’s Pursuit (W) and dealing burst damage, but Cassiopeia’s Miasma (W) completely grounds her, preventing her from using dashes or Hound’s Pursuit to engage or escape. Additionally, Twin Fang (E) provides high sustained DPS and healing, allowing Cassiopeia to outlast Naafiri in extended fights. The biggest counter to Naafiri is Petrifying Gaze (R), which stuns her if she tries to engage head-on, making her an easy target for follow-up damage. Since Naafiri struggles against champions who can control her movement and sustain through her burst, Cassiopeia forces her into a losing matchup where she has little kill pressure and limited ways to escape bad trades.

Conclusion

Naafiri may be a deadly assassin with strong burst damage and mobility, but the right champions can shut her down and limit her effectiveness. Champions like Cassiopeia, Malphite, and Pantheon can counter her all-ins with crowd control and defensive tools, while sustain-heavy picks like Swain and Cho’Gath can outlast her burst and punish her engages. Champions with strong kiting and zoning, such as Orianna and Hwei, make it difficult for Naafiri to land her abilities and escape trades. Whether you prefer tanky disruptors, mobile outplay champions, or sustained damage dealers, there are plenty of ways to counter Naafiri and prevent her from taking over the game. By choosing the right champion and playing around her engage cooldowns, you can neutralize Naafiri’s strengths and control the pace of the match.