Gwen vs Mel

Gwen
vs
Not enough games
Mel
Heavy AP damageHigh burstHeavy pokeHeavy CC

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Mel

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Gwen: Dusk and Dawn, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Mercury's Treads, Riftmaker, Zhonya's Hourglass, Void Staff, Stormsurge.

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1
Shadowflame
2
Rabadon's Deathcap
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Riftmaker
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport100%

Other options

Riftmaker
Zhonya's Hourglass
Void Staff
Stormsurge
Cosmic Drive
Lich Bane
PrecisionPrecision
Fleet FootworkFleet Footwork
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
Second WindSecond Wind
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Mel's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Searing Brilliance (P)

Whenever Mel uses an ability, she gains three bonus projectiles (up to nine maximum) on her next attack.When Mel deals damage through an ability or attack, she applies Overwhelm, which can stack infinitely. If the enemy is hit by Mel with enough Overwhelm damage, the stacks are consumed to execute the target.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s38s11s–
68s38s11s2m
96s35s11s2m
116s33s11s1m40
166s26s10s1m20
186s26s9s1m20

Playing as Gwen

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Land 4 autos before your Q

    Land 4 autos before Snip Snip! (Q): each auto adds a snip, on top of the first and the last.

  2. Hit with the center of your Q

    Land the center of Snip Snip! (Q): in the center, part of the damage becomes true damage and each snip applies A Thousand Cuts (passive).

  3. Mist against poke

    Place Hallowed Mist (W) against poke and ranged CC: enemies outside the mist can't target you, except towers.

  4. Use all three casts of your R

    Cast all three Needlework (R) activations within 6 seconds: the first throws one needle, then three, then five, with growing damage.

Playing against Mel

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge her snare's orb

    Dodge the orb of Solar Snare (E): a direct hit roots you, and its aura slows and damages around it.

  2. Don't shoot into her barrier

    If you have projectiles, don't fire them into Rebuttal (W): the barrier reflects champion projectiles back at their caster.

  3. Let her marks expire

    At low health, back off for a few seconds to let Overwhelm expire: with enough stacks, Searing Brilliance (passive) executes you on her next hit.

  4. Jump on her if you can

    If you can engage, jump on her: Mel has no dash or leap, only the move speed Rebuttal (W) gives her.

Patch 16.21.1