Matchup

Heavy AD damageHeavy CCStrong engageSustained DPS

Build vs Gnar

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Imperial Mandate
1Mage
Mikael's Blessing
2HP
Redemption
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Shurelya's Battlesong
5

Summoner spells

414100%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Bandlepipes
5vs Hybride

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Anti Tank

Stormsurge
5vs Tank

DPS

Cosmic Drive
Mage tank

Other options

Shurelya's Battlesong
Solstice Sleigh
HP
Locket of the Iron Solari
HP
100.0% WR1 games
SorcerySorcery
Arcane CometArcane Comet
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
ZileanZilean
GnarGnar
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

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