Ever seen a five-foot-tall creature turn into a monster that could shake the foundations of a castle? Welcome to the world of Gnar in League of Legends. This pint-sized powerhouse isn’t just adorable: he’s a game-changer that can make or break a team fight. With his quirky personality and transformative abilities, Gnar is a character that every player should understand, especially if they’re tired of getting steamrolled by him. So, grab your snacks (preferably not Yordle-sized), and let’s jump into the wild world of Gnar.
Understanding Gnar’s Role in League of Legends
Gnar is classified as a fighter and embodies the essence of a bruiser role. This means he’s designed to take hits, deal damage, and disrupt the enemy team. Unlike traditional tanks, Gnar uses his unique transformation mechanic to switch between a nimble, ranged form and a devastating melee form.
When Gnar is in Mini-Gnar form, he can poke enemies from afar and build up his Rage bar, which is crucial for his transformation. Once the Rage meter fills, he morphs into Mega-Gnar, becoming a fearsome presence on the battlefield. Here, he gains access to powerful crowd control abilities, making him an effective initiator in team fights.
Strategically, Gnar fits into teams as both a frontline initiator and a backline threat. His versatility allows for fluid positioning during battles, enabling players to adapt quickly based on the situation. Whether diving deep into enemy territory or playing safe, he’s capable of flexing his role depending on team dynamics.
Abilities Breakdown
Gnar’s abilities are integral to his success in the game, and understanding them is essential for maximizing his potential.
Passive: Rage Gene
Gnar’s passive, Rage Gene, is what makes him unique. It allows him to build up Rage over time. Once his Rage bar is full, he transforms into Mega-Gnar. Timing this transformation is crucial, giving him an edge in battles.
Q: Boomerang Throw / Gnarly
In his Mini-Gnar form, Gnar lobs a boomerang that damages and slows enemies. If caught, it returns, which is perfect for resetting its cooldown. In Mega-Gnar mode, this ability turns into a powerful melee attack that knocks enemies back.
W: Hyper
Mini-Gnar’s W is versatile, dealing damage and granting a bonus attack speed. Meanwhile, in Mega-Gnar, it deals considerable area damage. Timing this can determine the outcome of a fight.
E: Hop / Crunch
With Hop, Gnar leaps to a nearby location, dealing damage upon landing. This mobility can be game-changing in chasing down foes or escaping sticky situations. In Mega-Gnar, Crunch slams down upon landing, dealing area damage.
R: GNAR.
Gnar’s ultimate ability, GNAR., is a game-changer. He launches enemies back and stuns them if they’re knocked into a wall. This ability can completely turn the tide of a team fight, making it critical to master.
Understanding these abilities will help players effectively engage in battles, dodge incoming attacks, and maximize the impact of their transformation.
Playstyle and Strategies
Successfully playing Gnar requires an understanding of his dual nature. In mini-form, Gnar excels at harassing lanes, getting farm, and poking enemies. But, the majority of the hard-hitting action happens when he transforms into Mega-Gnar.
Early Game: Lane Dominance
In the early stages, the focus should be on farming and poking with Q and W. Seize opportunities to harass the enemy while keeping an eye on your Rage meter. Understanding when to transform is key: waiting until the enemy is low could result in a critical kill.
Mid Game: Object Control
Once Gnar reaches mid-game, the objective should shift toward controlling objectives like Dragon and Rift Herald. With his ultimate, he can effectively zone enemies and create opportunities for team fights. Positioning is essential, as Mega-Gnar should make use of his area control abilities while simultaneously being aware of enemy threats.
Late Game: Team Fights
Mega-Gnar is a force in late-game team fights. The best players will wait for the right moment to unleash his ultimate, ideally where it’s possible to hit multiple targets into walls. Properly timed ultimates can win games, and knowing when to engage or disengage is vital to achieving victory.
Eventually, Gnar players must stay engaged with their team and strategically choose when to help close out a fight versus when to bide their time until they can transform again.
Itemization for Gnar
Itemization is crucial in maximizing Gnar’s potential. Since he serves multiple roles, his item build should reflect both tankiness and damage capabilities.
Essential Items
- Black Cleaver: Grants health and cooldown reduction while providing an armor shred that synergizes well with Gnar’s abilities.
- Ravenous Hydra: Offers life steal and additional wave clear, allowing Gnar to maintain health during fights.
- Thornmail: The pure tank item that will protect Gnar in team fights while dealing damage back to basic attackers.
Boots Choices
For boots, Plated Steelcaps or Mercurial Scimitar can provide necessary protection. Plated Steelcaps offer physical damage reduction, while Mercurial Scimitar can assist in dodging crowd control, both effective depending on team compositions.
Final Touches
In the late game, consider Guardian Angel for an added layer of safety and a second chance in fights. Adjusting builds based on enemy compositions can either make Gnar a frontline tank or a damage dealer, adapting to various game scenarios.
Team Composition and Synergy
Gnar thrives in specific team compositions that complement his unique abilities. Ideally, he pairs well with champions who can follow up on his crowd control or provide sustained damage during skirmishes.
Strong Combinations
- Engagers: Champions like Leona or Alistar can engage first, followed by Gnar’s ultimate to secure kills.
- Damage Dealers: Combining with high-burst champions, like Zed or Kha’Zix, enhances Gnar’s capability to focus down targets.
The Ideal Team Comp
A balanced team with both frontline tanks and backline damage dealers will allow Gnar to shine. He can reliably initiate fights while relying on his team for both peel and clean-up. Communication and synergy are paramount to maximize Gnar’s effectiveness in team plays.
Countering Gnar: Tips and Tricks
Every champion has their weaknesses, and Gnar is no exception. To counter him effectively, players should consider the following strategies.
Dissuade His Transformation
Keeping Mini-Gnar at bay can diminish his impact. Champions with crowd control can exploit this weakness by forcing him to waste his Rage in less impactful ways.
Targeting Positioning
During team fights, positioning heavily influences a successful engagement. Keeping distance while avoiding walls can negate his ultimate’s effectiveness, making it a challenge for him to capitalize on his strengths.
Timing and Patience
The best time to strike Gnar is when his transformational abilities are on cooldown. Knowing when to poke at him can bait him into committing too early, allowing for a counter-attack while he lacks his powerful abilities.
