Matchup
Skill matchup
You are stronger late game — farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Gangplank
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
63%
26%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti CC
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Sorcery
Deathfire Touch
Manaflow Band
Transcendence
Scorch
Inspiration
Magical Footwear
Cosmic Insight
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Malzahar
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