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Mid · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Gnar vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

GnarVSVex

Matchup guide

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VS
Role
Selected laneMid

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Role fit

MidGnar

Gnar is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Mid route. Mid usually needs solo-lane safety plus wave control, roaming or reliable burst pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.

Unestablished route
Review patch unknownRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
— Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Unreviewed route

No reviewed Gnar Mid build

Gnar is normally played Top and does not currently have a reviewed Mid route. Mid usually needs solo-lane safety plus wave control, roaming or reliable burst pressure. Treat this as a deliberate experiment, not a standard recommendation.

A different lane's items are not relabelled as correct. Role income, map access and starting rules can change the whole purchase order.

Champion guide Top

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsGnarMid

Use repeated combat after controlling the Mid wave, then keep Flash for the short lane's frequent gank and roam angles.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Precision

ConquerorTriumphLegend: AlacrityLast Stand
Secondary tree

Resolve

Bone PlatingOvergrowth
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Gnar reminders

  • Managing your Rage is very important. Try to time out your transformations so you can get maximum benefit from both forms.
  • Position yourself next to walls to bait your enemies into getting stunned by your ultimate.
  • Know your strengths! Mini Gnar is fast, squishy, and has high sustained damage. Mega Gnar is slow, tough, and has high burst.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Gnar

  1. P
    Rage Gene

    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.

  2. Q
    Boomerang Throw / Boulder Toss

    Gnar throws a boomerang that damages and slows enemies it hits before returning to him. If he catches the boomerang its cooldown is reduced. Mega Gnar instead throws a boulder that stops on the first unit hit, damaging and slowing everything nearby. It can then be picked up to reduce the cooldown.

    Cooldown (s) 16/14.5/13/11.5/10 · Listed range (units) 1100
  3. W
    Hyper / Wallop

    Gnar's attacks and spells hype him up, dealing bonus damage and granting him Move Speed. Mega Gnar is too enraged to be hyper and instead can rear up on his hind legs and smash down on the area in front of him, stunning enemies in an area.

    Cooldown (s) 7
  4. E
    Hop / Crunch

    Gnar leaps to a location and bounces off the head of any unit he lands on, traveling further. Mega Gnar is too large to bounce and instead lands with earth-shattering force, dealing damage in an area around him.

    Cooldown (s) 22/19.5/17/14.5/12 · Listed range (units) 475
  5. R
    GNAR!

    Mega Gnar throws everything around him in a chosen direction, dealing damage and slowing them. Any enemy that hits a wall is stunned and takes bonus damage.

    Cooldown (s) 90/60/30 · Listed range (units) 590

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Gnar Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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