Matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy CCStrong engageSustained DPS

You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Gnar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Hextech Rocketbelt
1Mage tank
Stormsurge
2vs Tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Dark Seal
5

Summoner spells

41280%
41410%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD

Anti Heal

Thornmail
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Hollow Radiance
5vs AP

DPS

Riftmaker
Mage tank
Lich Bane
Mage

Other options

Dark Seal
100.0% WR1 games
ResolveResolve
AftershockAftershock
Shield BashShield Bash
Bone PlatingBone Plating
OvergrowthOvergrowth
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Nimbus CloakNimbus Cloak
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
GalioGalio
GnarGnar
Neutral
Neutral
Favorable

Gnar's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Rage Gene (P)

While in combat Gnar generates Rage. At maximum Rage his next ability will transform him into Mega Gnar, granting increased survivability and access to new spells.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
316s7s22s
613s7s22s1m30
910s7s22s1m30
1110s7s22s1m
1610s7s17s30s
1810s7s12s30s

Playing against Gnar

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Gnar is vulnerable right after losing Mega form: he's small, has no CC, and his abilities are on cooldown.

2

Watch his rage bar: when it's almost full, back away from walls — his R stuns against walls.

3

Mini Gnar is squishy and can be all-inned — force fights when he's in Mini form with low rage.

4

Don't group up near walls when Mega Gnar is in the fight — he's looking for a multi-target R.

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