Hey there!

I decided to create this Nova build, because I enjoy playing Nova very much and she is so much to play!
One the most powerful assassins, Nova playstyle is depending on her (yours) positioning and taking down fragile targets very quickly!

As Nova, your positioning is extremely important, you usually sneak out behind your enemy and shot them down.
I tend to play Nova as a single target - bursty assassin, because I feel it has bigger potential, however, Nova can be played as an AoE monster aswell.

As Nova has very low mobility, there are few "tricks" how to survive tough situations, I will describe these things later.

Now, to Nova's strong and weak sides .....

Pros of Nova:

- Extreme burst damage
- Permanent invisibility
- Very fun to play
- Sexy voice

Cons of Nova
- Very low mobility
- Dependant on skill shots and positioning
- Can be mana hungry hero

Permanent Cloak, Sniper
Trait
Cloak when out of combat for 3 seconds.
Taking damage, attacking, or channeling reveals you


Snipe
65 Mana
Skillshot
Cooldown: 10 seconds
Deals 188-800 (154 + 34 per level) damage to the first enemy hit.


Pinning Shot
65 Mana
Cooldown: 12 seconds
Deal 60-240 (50 + 10 per level) damage to an enemy and slow it by 30% for 2.25 seconds.


Holo Decoy
50 Mana
Cooldown: 15 seconds
Create a Decoy for 5 seconds that appears to attack enemies.
Using this Ability does not break cloak.


Triple Tap
100 Mana
Heroic Ability
Cooldown: 100 seconds
Locks in on the target Hero, then fires 3 shots that hit the first Hero or Structure they come in contact with for 443-740 (113 + 33 per level) damage each.


Precision Strike
100 Mana
Heroic Ability
Cooldown: 60 seconds
After a short delay, deals 1370-2000 (670 + 70 per level) damage to enemies within target area. Unlimited range.

Level 1

Ambush Snipe - Just a great talent, essential for your Snipe ability. 20% additional damage is just great.
Squishy targets will go down even faster with this boost.

OR

Psi-Op Rangefinder - I started to pick up this talent more often now, because the increased range of SNipe fits Nova playstyle well + decreased cooldown for Snipe is even more beneficial, and in some situations, you just cannot stay Cloaked for some while, so Ambush Snipe becomes less attractive. This talent is just great for utility, but picking it will cause you to "loose" some kind of additional burst damage of Snipe.

Level 4

Gathering Power - This is all Nova needs. Increased ability power for all her abilities is just great = > more damage. Nova can gain stacks by killing enemies, or simply standing / running around enemies that just have been killed by your teammates. This talent stacks with all Novas abilities, so adding this to the build is essential, and as Nova, you are not permitted to die so often (not even).

OR

Envenom - This talent is overall stronger then Gathering Power, since it does more damage, however, even that Gatherwing Power was nerfed, I would prefer to stick with it, since Envenom needs very close range to be in to apply, and that is not very safe for Nova + if there is in enemy team for example Malfurion and he uses his Healing over time on his allies, Envenom effect just "fades" as it will be negotiated by the healing. And as I said before, Gathering Power stacks with all abilites and has no cooldown. Yet, Envenom is also solid choice.

Level 7

Anti-Armor Shells - I always go for this talent. Adding 250% damage to your auto attack is just what you need to pick off squishy targets, even though your auto attacks will be much slower, yet, the damage is so big that in most cases, you will use Hot Shots 1 - 2 times while fighting someone fragile 1 v 1.

OR

One in the Chamber - As this ability is not as potent as Anti-Armor Shells, it's great for Holo Decoy build, since Decoys can dish out more damage, as they also use their abilites.

Level 10

Triple Tap - Extremely strong single target ability. Those 3 bolts fired onto your enemies does immense damage, picking off squishy targets like Valla, Jaina, Falstad immediately. You need to watch for your enemies, trying sneaking behind them and fire Triple Tap. You need to be careful, watching your position, as many heroes can interrupt this ability, so staying in safe range is valid. However, this ability can be also blocked by other heroes or by buildings, so be careful, when you want to use it.

OR

Precision Strike - Great AoE ability, excelent for Holo Decoy build. As enemies can detect you from Decoys, when you use Triple Tap, they cannot detect you when using Precision Strike. However, I would still go for Triple Tap if you are against heroes, that can escape very easily, like Zeratul, Illidan and so.

Level 13

Lethal Decoy - Now, Holo Decoy will do 25% of Novas damage. It is not much, but the decoys damage is sharing all of Novas talents, like Gathering Power and Anti-Armor Shells, so this will maximize your overall damage against your target.

Level 16

Crippling Shot - I just love this talent. Your Pinning Shot will make your enemies vulnerable, so they will take 25% more damage from all of your teammates + you. Right when you pick this talent, your kills against squishies are guaranteed. Even damage of your Lethal Decoy will apply Crippling Shot effect now.

OR

Double Fake - For more safe play, go for this one. I love this one aswell, as Holo Decoy will do immense damage now, and enemy will be confused about you very likely. Also, very solid pick.

Level 20

Rewind - Strongest talent for Nova on this level. Nova whole combo does almost more damage then Triple Tap , combined with Rewind , Crippling Shot and Gathering Power , you might take down more then one heroes immediately.

OR

Fast Reload - If your Triple Tap can guarantee 100% kills, you can go for this one, as reseting the cooldown of Triple Tap is extremely strong and valid.

OR

Bolt of the Storm - Very good and safe pick. Aginst gap closers, "jumpers", "Hookers" and so. Great for escaping / catching up enemy.

Talents on level 20 depends fully on yourself, about what you feel like, against what team you are playing and so.

Pre level 10

, your combo is simple - Start with Auto Attack, then Snipe, Pinning Shot and another Auto Attack. You can also also start with Snipe, then Auto Attack, Pinning Shot, another Auto Attack.

Pre level 16

, your combo will be - Use Holo Decoy, then go with Auto Attack, Snipe (Or Pinning Shot, then Snipe), Pinning Shot, Auto Attack, Triple Tap.

Pre level 20

. your combo will be - Use Holo Decoy, then Pinning Shot, Auto Attack, Snipe, Auto Attack, Triple Tap.

If you go for Rewind at level 20, your combo will be all the same, but when you end last Auto Attack, instead of Triple Tap, go for Rewind and do all once again in succession, then finish with Triple Tap.

- Always check bushes and uncovered areas with Holo Decoy
- Bait your enemies with Holo Decoy, they might waste their ultimates on it
- When someone is chasing you, try running into bush, then use Holo Decoy, and run immediately out of the bush, so it might confuse your opponent and it will start attacking the Decoy
- When you are being chased, sometimes is better to stay in a place and do not move, as enemies will maybe think you are running some exact way, they will go there further.
- NEVER FACE CHECK ANYTHING!
- Try to sneak out behind your opponent and take them down

When I use this build, I go for Ambush Snipe, as Holo Decoy does very good damage, and they benefit from your damage. One in the Chamber is a lot better for Holo Decoy build, since, Decoys dish out more damage, combined with their auto attacks + abilites. When you hit level 20, Rewind is an excelent thing.
Start fight with Holo Decoy, then Snipe + Pinning Shot, use Rewind and summon another Holo Decoy. 4 Holo Decoy will do extreme damage and opponent might mistake Decoy for real Nova, which is also great tool for surviving.

Illidan - Illidan is one of the hardest enemies you can face. If he caughts you off, you won;t be able to survive, the only thing that might save you is Holo Decoy + Bolt of the Storm. I use Triple Tap against Illidan, as hit Precision Strike while fighting him is very hard.

Valla - As Valla is almost in every game (ranked at least), you should not have big troubles with her. Even if she caughts you off and you will have your cooldowns off, you can kill her easily. I always go single target build against Valla. Watch out for her Rain of Vengeance, as it might interrupt your Triple Tap.

Tyrael, Stitches, Muradin - Very hard heroes to fight against. Pick Bolt of the Storm, if at least two of them are in enemy team.

Tassadar, Tyrande - Dangerous opponents. Both of them can kill you somehow easily, especially with their vision abilites.

Zagara - You can easily kill Zagara, if she wont caughts you off, however, her minions can block your Snipe and her W is deadly thing against you. Just don;t try to 1 v 1 her, if she caughts you.