Matchup

Swain
Swain
18%
82%

vs

48.5%

over 196 games

Gangplank
Gangplank
64%
36%
Heavy AD damageHeavy pokeSplit pushHigh burst

Skill matchup

Build vs Gangplank

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1Mage
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2Mage tank
Zhonya's Hourglass
3vs AD

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Liandry's Torment
5Mage tank

Summoner spells

41234%
4632%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Frozen Heart
5vs AD
Randuin's Omen
vs AD
Unending Despair
vs AD

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP
Force of Nature
vs AP

Anti Tank

Bloodletter's Curse
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank

DPS

Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Malignance
Mage
Riftmaker
Mage tank

Other options

Rod of Ages
HP
Fimbulwinter
Survival
Oblivion Orb
Tear of the Goddess
Jak'Sho, The Protean
vs Hybride
Mejai's Soulstealer
Bramble Vest
71.4% WR21 games
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
SwainSwain
GangplankGangplank
Favorable
Favorable
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