Matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy pokeSplit pushHigh burst

Build vs Gangplank

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Scorchclaw Pup

Core build

Liandry's Torment
1Mage tank
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

411100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Bloodletter's Curse
vs Tank

DPS

Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank

Other options

Morellonomicon
vs Heal
0.0% WR1 games
DominationDomination
Dark HarvestDark Harvest
Taste of BloodTaste of Blood
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Treasure HunterTreasure Hunter
SorcerySorcery
Absolute FocusAbsolute Focus
Gathering StormGathering Storm
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
BrandBrand
GangplankGangplank
Favorable
Favorable
Passive

Gangplank's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Trial by Fire (P)

Every few seconds, Gangplank's melee strike will set his opponent on fire.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
34.5s22s0s
64.5s22s0s2m40
94.5s20s0s2m40
114.5s18s0s2m20
164.5s14s0s2m
184.5s14s0s2m

Playing against Gangplank

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Destroy his barrels before he shoots them: one auto is enough when they're at 1 HP. The race for the last-hit on barrels is crucial.

2

His W (cleanse) has a very long cooldown (22-16s): engage with CC, bait the W, then re-engage with a 2nd CC.

3

GP is weak in early game (1-5) and vulnerable to all-ins — aggressive bruisers like Riven or Irelia dominate him.

4

In late game, respect his crit barrel burst — a crit barrel on a carry can one-shot.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026