Mel vs Gwen
Hard matchup
Build vs Gwen
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Mel: Luden's Echo, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Zhonya's Hourglass, Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Dark Seal.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gwen's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gwen's attacks deal bonus magic damage based on the targets health. She heals for a portion of the damage dealt to champions by this effect.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 6.5s | 22s | 13s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 22s | 13s | 2m |
| 9 | 3.5s | 21s | 13s | 2m |
| 11 | 3.5s | 20s | 13s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 3.5s | 18s | 12s | 1m20 |
| 18 | 3.5s | 18s | 11s | 1m20 |
Playing as Mel
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke from range with your volley
Stay back and poke with Radiant Volley (Q): its projectiles explode in an area up to 950 range, and each hit applies Overwhelm.
- An auto after each spell
Land an auto after each spell: Searing Brilliance (passive) adds three projectiles to it per spell cast, and enough Overwhelm executes the target.
- Reflect their projectiles
Save Rebuttal (W) for a dangerous projectile: the barrier sends it back to its caster, and you gain a shield and move speed.
- Land your snare dead center
Hit your target head-on with Solar Snare (E): only the core of the orb roots, the aura around it just slows and damages.
- Finish from range with your R
Cast Golden Eclipse (R) to finish from range: it hits every enemy marked by Overwhelm, wherever they are, harder with each stack.
Playing against Gwen
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Enter her mist or wait
To hit her during Hallowed Mist (W), walk into the mist or wait for it to fade: from outside, you can't target her.
- Trade before her 4 autos
Take short trades before she lands 4 autos: each one adds a snip to Snip Snip! (Q).
- Get out of her needles' path
Step out of the Needlework (R) line: she can recast it twice within 6 seconds, with three then five needles.
- Send two to answer her split
Answer her split push with two players rather than alone: A Thousand Cuts (passive) heals her on every auto against a champion.
Patch 16.21.1