Nidalee/Background

== Story == There are few dwellers, let alone champions, residing in the blasted and dangerous lands that lie south of the Great Barrier. Much of that world still bears the scars of past Rune Wars, especially the mysterious Kumungu Jungle. There are long-forgotten treasures in these strange places which many risk life and limb to acquire. The champion known as Nidalee was only a young girl traveling with her treasure-seeking parents when they lost their way in the dense, rainy jungles. The jungle was unforgiving, and she watched her parents suffer agonizing final days as they fell victim to a mysterious and vicious disease. As improbable as it was for a child to survive in the inhospitable jungle by herself, she did just that. Her youthful innocence and a fortunate naiveté caused her to appeal to the beasts of that place and she was taken in by a family of cougars and raised as one of their own. She grew and somehow absorbed the raw magic of the dense wilds, evolving beyond both her human physiology and her feline affectation. On one pivotal day in her life, standing over the torn remnants of a Noxian squad of woodcutters, Nidalee chose to rejoin the so-called civilized world, to fight in the League of Legends so as to protect the vast woods from both Demacia and Noxus.

Nidalee's versatility is truly unmatched on the Fields of Justice. Her human form allows her to support her team and whittle down foes from range, while her cougar form allows her to close with swiftness and stealth for a killing blow. Nidalee was taught to fight by her feline family, battling viciously with tooth and nail. Something in her feline ways may draw you to her, but remember that she is no pussycat.

Quotes
Upon Selection
 * "They will fear the wild."

Movement/Attacking
 * "Let me... show you the way."
 * "Instincts guide my steps."
 * "You cannot cage me, Summoner."
 * "You call this civilized."
 * "I'll show these house cats real claws."
 * "On the prowl."
 * "I will guide you."
 * "The untamed know no fear."
 * "Claw or spear, your end's the same"

Taunt
 * "Here mousy, mousy, mousy..."

Joke
 * "Did I mention it's mating season?"

Development
The Champion was released on December 17, 2009 a day later than it was announced. The Champion information was confirmed by Shacknews by Riot Games.

Before her launch it was thought that Nidalee was the name for The Spider Queen instead of a new completely unknown champion.