Gragas vs Syndra
Build vs Syndra
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Gragas: Tear of the Goddess, Rod of Ages, Fimbulwinter, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Lich Bane, Hextech Rocketbelt, Shadowflame, Stormsurge.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Syndra's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Syndra collects Splinters of Wrath from gaining levels and damaging enemies which upgrade her abilities.Dark Sphere: Syndra can hold an additional chargeForce of Will: Bonus true damage.Scatter the Weak: Increased width and slows all targetsUnleashed Power: Executes low health targets
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 13s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 13s | 15s | 2m |
| 9 | 7s | 12s | 15s | 2m |
| 11 | 7s | 11s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 7s | 9s | 15s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 7s | 9s | 15s | 1m20 |
Playing as Gragas
Tips to maximize your impact
- Let your barrel charge
Let Barrel Roll (Q) charge before detonating it: damage and slow grow the longer it sits on the ground, and if you don't recast it, it explodes on its own.
- Drink before you engage
Drink Drunken Rage (W) before engaging: drinking takes 1 second, then you take less damage and your next auto hits every nearby enemy.
- Charge through a clear path
Engage with Body Slam (E) through a path without minions: you stop on the first enemy you meet, and hitting reduces its cooldown.
- Send them toward your team
After Body Slam (E), cast Explosive Cask (R) behind your target: the blast knocks enemies away from the impact, sending them toward your team.
Playing against Syndra
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Don't line up with her spheres
Don't stand in line between Syndra and one of her spheres: Scatter the Weak (E) pushes it toward you, and it stuns the enemies it hits.
- Engage after Scatter the Weak
If you can engage, go in right after Scatter the Weak (E): she has no dash and nothing else to push you back during its 15-second cooldown.
- Count her spheres once she hits 6
Once she hits level 6, count her spheres before taking a trade: Unleashed Power (R) launches the 3 orbiting her at you, plus up to 4 more nearby.
Other Gragas matchups
Patch 16.21.1