Matchup

Gnar
Gnar
55%
45%

vs

50.8%

over 899 games

Ambessa
Ambessa
100%
0%
Heavy AD damageDive threatStrong engageHigh burst

Skill matchup

Build vs Ambessa

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Trinity Force
1DPS
Black Cleaver
2vs Tank
Thornmail
3vs Hybride

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Sterak's Gage
5Survival

Summoner spells

41274%
41414%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Randuin's Omen
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD
Death's Dance
vs AD
Frozen Heart
vs AD
Dead Man's Plate
vs AD
Unending Despair
vs AD
Iceborn Gauntlet
vs AD

Anti Heal

Chempunk Chainsword
6vs Heal

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Wit's End
5vs AP
Force of Nature
vs AP
Kaenic Rookern
vs AP

Anti Tank

Serpent's Fang
5vs Tank
Terminus
vs Tank

DPS

Hullbreaker
Bruiser
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Dusk and Dawn
Mage tank
Spear of Shojin
Bruiser
Endless Hunger
DPS
Stridebreaker
Bruiser
Sundered Sky
Bruiser

Other options

Sterak's Gage
Survival
Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
Heartsteel
Survival
Guinsoo's Rageblade
75.0% WR12 games
PrecisionPrecision
Fleet FootworkFleet Footwork
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
GnarGnar
AmbessaAmbessa
Passive
Favorable
Favorable

Ambessa's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Drakehound's Step (P)

Entering an attack or movement command while casting an ability will cause Ambessa to dash a short distance once the ability is cast, granting her next attack bonus range, damage, and attack speed, and refunding energy.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
314s18s13s
612s18s13s2m10
910s17s13s2m10
1110s16s13s1m55
1610s14s11s1m40
1810s14s9s1m40

Playing against Ambessa

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Ambessa is very mobile but predictable: each dash follows an auto-attack. If she misses an ability, her mobility is reduced.

2

Avoid fighting in tight spaces: her mobility lets her catch up to you easily in the jungle.

3

Respect her ult: the suppression cannot be cleansed by Cleanse. Only QSS works.

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