Matchup
Skill matchup
You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Gangplank
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
85%
9%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti AP
Anti Heal
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Precision
Conqueror
Triumph
Legend: Alacrity
Last Stand
Resolve
Unflinching
Bone Plating
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Irelia
GangplankGangplank's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every few seconds, Gangplank's melee strike will set his opponent on fire.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 4.5s | 22s | 0s | – |
| 6 | 4.5s | 22s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 9 | 4.5s | 20s | 0s | 2m40 |
| 11 | 4.5s | 18s | 0s | 2m20 |
| 16 | 4.5s | 14s | 0s | 2m |
| 18 | 4.5s | 14s | 0s | 2m |
Playing against Gangplank
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
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.
His W (cleanse) has a very long cooldown (22-16s): engage with CC, bait the W, then re-engage with a 2nd CC.
GP is weak in early game (1-5) and vulnerable to all-ins — aggressive bruisers like Riven or Irelia dominate him.
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