Alpha Strike (Q)'s untargetable state is brief, so predicting its endpoint lets Nautilus follow with Dredge Line (Q) and Staggering Blow (P)'s basic-attack root. Depth Charge (R)'s targeted knock-up still remains, making the control chain difficult to survive with Meditate (W) alone.

Human-form Shyvana has zero CC and weak pre-5 skirmishing, so she stays locked in Nautilus's Dredge Line (Q)-Staggering Blow (P)-Depth Charge (R) gank chain. Nautilus pressures the early objectives Shyvana can't defend, putting her behind before her Dragon's Descent (R) transform scaling comes online.

After Dredge Line (Q)'s pull, chaining Staggering Blow (P)'s basic-attack root into Depth Charge (R)'s knock-up makes it difficult for fragile Nidalee to escape with Pounce (W). Nautilus can absorb Javelin Toss (Q)'s poke while creating an engage angle.

Kindred has no mobility between Dance of Arrows (Q) dashes, so Nautilus's targeted Depth Charge (R) knock-up ignores her Wolf's Frenzy (W) kiting and sticks to her. Holding range with Dredge Line (Q) and the Riptide (E) slow melts the squishy Kindred in the CC chain, and Lamb's Respite (R) only delays the lockdown.

Fizz's Playful/Trickster (E) untargetability shrugs off Nautilus's core Dredge Line (Q) and Depth Charge (R) entirely. Miss the hook and Nautilus has no play, while Fizz bursts and dashes out so even Staggering Blow (P) and Riptide (E) can't land.

Lillia perma-kites outside Nautilus's Dredge Line (Q) range with Dream-Laden Bough (P) movement speed and Swirlseed (E). While Nautilus can't land the hook, she grinds the tank down with sustained burn damage and the Lilting Lullaby (R) sleep combo.

Diana marks with Crescent Strike (Q) and instantly closes with the Lunar Rush (E) dash to unload burst. Pale Cascade (W) absorbs Nautilus's poke, and Moonfall (R) pulls Nautilus in instead, countering his CC and out-damaging the tank.

Ekko dodges Nautilus's Dredge Line (Q) with the Phase Dive (E) dash, and Chronobreak (R) rewinds out of Nautilus's Depth Charge (R) lockdown to reset his position and health. Parallel Convergence (W) counter-stuns Nautilus's engage while Ekko kites the slow tank.