Matchup

Varus
Varus
64%
36%

vs

51.3%

over 766 games

Gnar
Gnar
55%
45%
Heavy AD damageHeavy CCStrong engageSustained DPS

Skill matchup

Build vs Gnar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Blade
Health Potion

Core build

Dusk and Dawn
1Mage tank
Experimental Hexplate
2Bruiser
Riftmaker
3Mage tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Nashor's Tooth
5DPS

Summoner spells

42149%
3431%

Anti AD

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

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Jak'Sho, The Protean
5vs Hybride
Wit's End
vs AP
Banshee's Veil
vs AP
Kaenic Rookern
vs AP

Anti Tank

Terminus
5vs Tank
Shadowflame
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank
Serpent's Fang
vs Tank

DPS

Nashor's Tooth
DPS
Statikk Shiv
DPS
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Blade of The Ruined King
DPS
Hextech Rocketbelt
Mage tank
Kraken Slayer
DPS
Hullbreaker
Bruiser
Hextech Gunblade
Mage
Malignance
Mage

Other options

Guinsoo's Rageblade
Dark Seal
Quicksilver Sash
Muramana
77.8% WR18 games
PrecisionPrecision
Press the AttackPress the Attack
TriumphTriumph
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
VarusVarus
GnarGnar
Careful
Careful
Aggressive

Gnar's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Rage Gene (P)

While in combat Gnar generates Rage. At maximum Rage his next ability will transform him into Mega Gnar, granting increased survivability and access to new spells.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
316s7s22s
613s7s22s1m30
910s7s22s1m30
1110s7s22s1m
1610s7s17s30s
1810s7s12s30s

Playing against Gnar

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Gnar is vulnerable right after losing Mega form: he's small, has no CC, and his abilities are on cooldown.

2

Watch his rage bar: when it's almost full, back away from walls — his R stuns against walls.

3

Mini Gnar is squishy and can be all-inned — force fights when he's in Mini form with low rage.

4

Don't group up near walls when Mega Gnar is in the fight — he's looking for a multi-target R.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026