Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Gangplank

the Saltwater Scourge

Gangplank is a close-range combatant who balances damage, durability and the timing of a commitment. This overview keeps the explanation practical and leaves patch-sensitive numbers to Riot's structured data and the current in-game tooltip.

TopMostly physical damageMelee attacks

Open matchup guide Find counters Status effects

Usual roleTop

ClassFighter

DifficultyHigh · 9/10

Basic attacksMeleeMelee basic attacks; Parrrley and barrels provide ranged pressure.

Damage profileMostly physical damageMost normal kit pressure is physical. Armour may help, but check whether attacks or abilities are the main source.

Reference patch16.20.1

Strengths and limits

What Gangplank does well, and what can go wrong

These are kit-level patterns, not a promise that every lane or matchup plays the same way.

Good patterns

Combines damage and durability in committed skirmishes or extended exchanges.
Rewards using the kit's main range, timing and target pattern deliberately.

Limits to respect

Can be worn down or controlled before reaching the range where the kit is strongest.
Basic attacks require close access, so enemy range, slows and displacement can deny a clean trade.

Riot ally tips

Use these while learning the champion

Parrrley applies On Hit effects like Frozen Mallet or Black Cleaver.

Paying attention to low-health enemies on the map can land you a surprise kill with Cannon Barrage.

Try placing Cannon Barrage on the path of escape to cut off fleeing enemies.

Riot opponent tips

What an opponent is told to watch for

Parrrley deals a high amount of physical damage. Items that grant Armor can help if an enemy Gangplank is doing well.

Once Gangplank reaches level 6, watch out for his global-range ultimate, Cannon Barrage!

Practical champion reading

How to read Gangplank in a real fight

Use these patterns to ask better questions before choosing an item, target or commitment. They describe the kit, not a guaranteed result.

Damage delivery

Primarily physical pressure

Armour can reduce the broad physical profile. Separate basic attacks from physical abilities before relying on an item passive that only affects attacks.

Fight rhythm

Track the complete ability cycle

Do not judge the champion from one button. Watch which setup, payoff and escape tools are available before choosing a trade or commitment.

Range and access

Needs close access for basic attacks

Range, slows, displacement and terrain can deny the clean contact this champion wants. Plan the route in as carefully as the damage after arrival.

Typical team job

Choose a sustainable commitment

Extended contact can favour the kit, but only when the champion reaches the right target without losing too much health on the way in.

Control check

Identify the exact movement restriction

Tenacity can shorten only eligible control. Displacements, airborne effects and repeated slows need their own positioning, blocking or movement answer.

Protection and sustain

Check whether recovery changes the fight

Anti-heal or anti-shielding is situational. Buy it only when the effect is materially protecting targets and your champion can apply the answer reliably.

Resource pattern

Mana and cooldowns both matter

A spell being available does not mean the complete sequence is sustainable. Watch the resource bar as well as the setup and escape cooldowns.

Defensive item reference

What can help against Gangplank?

Start with the threat that is actually affecting the match. These are conditional comparisons, not an automatic counter build.

Pre-game choices

DEFENSIVE BOOTS

Neither pair is automatic

This champion is not cleanly answered by the passive on either defensive pair.

Use Plated Steelcaps for meaningful basic attacks, Mercury's Treads for magic damage or reducible control, or keep the build's normal Boots.

SlowsHealing or sustainPossible critical strikes

PHYSICAL DEFENCE

Physical defence

Armour · health · role-appropriate defence

Armour can reduce physical damage, but Plated Steelcaps' passive is specific to attacks.

Match the item to attacks, critical strikes or ability burst rather than buying armour from the label alone.

CRITICAL STRIKES

Critical strikes

Randuin's Omen

Critical-strike reduction can matter after a real critical build appears.

Champion identity alone does not prove that critical strikes will be purchased.

REPEATED SLOWS

Repeated slows

Boots of Swiftness

Slow resistance can be more useful than Tenacity when repeated slowing strength is the main problem.

It gives no armour or magic resistance, so compare the rest of the opposing team.

MEANINGFUL HEALING

Meaningful healing

Bramble Vest or Thornmail · Morellonomicon · Mortal Reminder

A role-appropriate Grievous Wounds item can reduce healing.

Buy it only when healing is materially changing fights and your champion can apply it reliably.

Normal Draft and Ranked role map

Where Gangplank fits on Summoner's Rift

Each lane is assessed separately. Open a role to reach its queue-specific build and matchup preparation.

TopPrimary role

Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Gangplank has an established solo-lane plan with the income and space needed to trade, manage waves and influence a side lane.

Review this role Open matchup

JungleUnestablished route

Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Gangplank is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Jungle route. Jungle usually needs repeatable monster clear, safe pathing and objective control without lane income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.

Review this role

MidPlayer-chosen flex

Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Gangplank can be selected here as a deliberate player-chosen strategy, but it is not a primary role. The pick still needs a matchup and team plan.

Review this role Open matchup

BotUnestablished route

Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Gangplank is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Bot route. Bot usually needs dependable duo-lane scaling and sustained damage with shared early pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.

Review this role

SupportUnestablished route

Historical reference. Recommendation review pending. Gangplank is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Support route. Support usually needs useful engage, peel or utility while operating on low gold income. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.

Review this role

Kit reference

Gangplank abilities

Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.

Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1

Passive

Trial by Fire

What it doesEvery few seconds, Gangplank's melee strike will set his opponent on fire.

Practical readTrial by Fire is the always-on rule shaping Gangplank's normal trading and fight pattern. Watch its in-game state before committing.

Q ability

Parrrley

What it doesShoots target, plundering Gold for each enemy unit killed.

Practical readParrrley is part of Gangplank's Q pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown4.5 secCost50/45/40/35/30Listed range625 units

W ability

Remove Scurvy

What it doesEats citrus to cure crowd control effects and restore Health.

Practical readRemove Scurvy is part of Gangplank's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown22/20/18/16/14 secCost60/70/80/90/100Listed range400 units

E ability

Powder Keg

What it doesGangplank uncovers a powder keg at target location. If he attacks it, it explodes, spreading the attack's damage to enemies in the area, slowing them.

Practical readPowder Keg contributes a slowing effect and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

Listed range1000 units

Ultimate

Cannon Barrage

What it doesGangplank signals his ship to bombard an area, slowing and damaging enemies.

Practical readCannon Barrage contributes a slowing effect. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

Cooldown160/140/120 secCost100Listed range30000 units

Levels 1–18

Gangplank · Health / Mana · Abilities

Base values exclude items, runes, temporary buffs and mode-specific modifiers. Cooldowns are the listed base cooldown before ability haste.

Level 1630 Health280 Mana

Level 3798 Health369 Mana

Level 61,080 Health517 Mana

Level 111,630 Health807 Mana

Level 162,280 Health1,149 Mana

Level 182,568 Health1,300 Mana

Cooldown Data Dragon 16.20.1

Basic abilityParrrley

Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.

All ranks4.5 sec

Basic abilityRemove Scurvy

Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Rank 122 secRank 220 secRank 318 secRank 416 secRank 514 sec

Basic abilityPowder Keg

Can receive its first point from level 1. Later ranks normally become available at levels 3, 5, 7 and 9.

CooldownRead current tooltip

UltimateCannon Barrage

First rank becomes available at level 6; later ranks normally become available at levels 11 and 16.

Rank 1160 secRank 2140 secRank 3120 sec

Open every levelHealth and mana from level 1 to 18

Level	Health	Mana	Ability milestone
1	630	280 Mana	Choose the first basic ability
2	712	323 Mana	Add another basic ability or rank
3	798	369 Mana	Add another basic ability or rank
4	888	416 Mana	Spend one ability point
5	982	465 Mana	Spend one ability point
6	1,080	517 Mana	First ultimate rank normally available
7	1,182	571 Mana	Spend one ability point
8	1,288	627 Mana	Spend one ability point
9	1,398	684 Mana	Spend one ability point
10	1,512	744 Mana	Spend one ability point
11	1,630	807 Mana	Second ultimate rank normally available
12	1,752	871 Mana	Spend one ability point
13	1,878	937 Mana	Spend one ability point
14	2,008	1,005 Mana	Spend one ability point
15	2,142	1,076 Mana	Spend one ability point
16	2,280	1,149 Mana	Final ultimate rank normally available
17	2,422	1,223 Mana	Spend one ability point
18	2,568	1,300 Mana	Spend one ability point

Choose the next question

Turn the profile into a pre-game plan

Choose a queue-aware build, compare a lane opponent, or return to the full champion library.

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