Matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy pokeSplit pushHigh burst

Build vs Gangplank

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Gustwalker Hatchling
Health Potion

Core build

Youmuu's Ghostblade
1vs Tank
The Collector
2vs Tank
Infinity Edge
3DPS

Standard

Berserker's Greaves
4AS
Blackfire Torch
5Mage

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD
Guardian Angel
vs AD

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Lord Dominik's Regards
5vs Tank

DPS

Blackfire Torch
Mage
Phantom Dancer
DPS

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
ShacoShaco
GangplankGangplank
Aggressive
Neutral
Passive

Gangplank's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Trial by Fire (P)

Every few seconds, Gangplank's melee strike will set his opponent on fire.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
34.5s22s0s
64.5s22s0s2m40
94.5s20s0s2m40
114.5s18s0s2m20
164.5s14s0s2m
184.5s14s0s2m

Playing against Gangplank

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

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.

2

His W (cleanse) has a very long cooldown (22-16s): engage with CC, bait the W, then re-engage with a 2nd CC.

3

GP is weak in early game (1-5) and vulnerable to all-ins — aggressive bruisers like Riven or Irelia dominate him.

4

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