Locke vs Gragas
Hard matchup
Build vs Gragas
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Locke: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rabadon's Deathcap, Stormsurge, Dark Seal, Void Staff.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gragas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gragas periodically heals upon using a skill.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 5s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 6s | 5s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 5s | 12s | 1m10 |
Playing as Locke
Tips to maximize your impact
- Nails first, then Pursuit
Cast Ritual Nails (Q) before Ashen Pursuit (E): your hits consume the nails stuck in the target, and each extra nail adds damage.
- Finish them with autos
Finish off wounded targets with autos: Silver Stake (passive) adds magic damage that grows with their missing health.
- Activate W as the trade starts
Activate Soul Ignition (W) at the start of a trade: it costs you health, but at the end, you heal back part of the last damage taken, plus more based on your missing health.
- Save E for a kill or a gank
Save Ashen Pursuit (E) for a sure kill or to escape a gank: it's your only instant movement, it has a 10-second cooldown, and only a takedown resets it.
- Save Purgatory to finish
Save Purgatory (R) to finish: it seals marked enemies below a health threshold, and when you pick up the artifact, each sealed champion raises that threshold for good.
Playing against Gragas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Stay behind your minions: Body Slam (E) stops on the first enemy it meets, minions included.
- Get out of the barrel zone fast
Get out of the Barrel Roll (Q) area right away: the longer the barrel sits on the ground, the more its explosion hurts and slows.
- Step up after a missed E
Step up when Body Slam (E) hits nobody: its cooldown isn't reduced and stays at 14 to 12 seconds.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies: Explosive Cask (R) knocks every enemy away from the impact, which can split you up or send you toward his team.
Other Locke matchups
Patch 16.21.1