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Mid · Ranked FlexMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Vex vs Gnar

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

VexVSGnar

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneMid

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

MidVex

Vex has an established central-lane plan with access to waves, both sides of the river and meaningful pressure between objectives.

Primary role
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

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

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

Ranked Flex · Mid

Burst mage

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Primary role
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Ring

400 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
First item

Luden's Echo

2,750 gold

Adds burst to your first spell rotation.

2
Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 gold

Early magic penetration for fragile targets.

3
Core damage

Shadowflame

3,200 gold

Improves damage when opponents are already low.

4
Late power

Zhonya's Hourglass

3,250 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Vs resistance

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 gold

Multiplies the ability power you have built.

6
Repeated spell rotations

Cosmic Drive

3,000 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with movement speed and ability haste for repeated late-game spell rotations.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Core damageShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Core damageShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededBurst mageRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Core damageShadowflame
  4. Late powerZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Late powerZhonya's Hourglass
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Core damageShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. First itemLuden's Echo
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Core damageShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Vs resistanceRabadon's Deathcap
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsVexMid

Control Mid range, mana and wave timing before committing to a longer exchange or roam.

Ranked Flex
Primary tree

Sorcery

Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree

Inspiration

Biscuit DeliveryCosmic Insight
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
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 Gnar is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Punish frequent movement

Anti-mobility pressure is worth reviewing against champions who reposition repeatedly.

Mid game

Wave control and the first spell-damage core usually create the clearest pressure window.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Ahri 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

Against Gnar

  • Gnar can't gain Rage for 15 seconds after he turns from big to little. Use this chance to engage on his team.
  • Gnar's animations and resource bar change as he gets closer to transforming.
  • Gnar's ultimate stuns if he hits you into a wall. Be careful when fighting him near one.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Only when enemy healing is deciding fights

Oblivion Orb

Oblivion Orb supplies healing reduction without committing to a completed Morellonomicon. Skip both when healing is not the problem or an ally already covers your target reliably. Healing reduction does not reduce shields.

Conditional component, not a core item. Complete Morellonomicon only when its stats and slot efficiency justify delaying another purchase.
One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

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

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

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

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

Vex 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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