Support · Ranked Flex · Matchup guide · Patch16.20.1
Gnar vs Vex
Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.
VS
Role fit
Support · Gnar
Gnar 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.
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 Support build
Gnar 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.
A different lane's items are not relabelled as correct. Role income, map access and starting rules can change the whole purchase order.
Use controlled poke and preserve the cooldown that makes the next catch safe.
Ranked Flex
Primary tree
Sorcery
Arcane CometManaflow BandTranscendenceScorch
Secondary tree
Inspiration
Biscuit DeliveryCosmic Insight
Summoner spells
FlashIgnite
Coordinate the Bot pair
Check which defensive spell the Bot partner selected before duplicating Heal, Barrier or Exhaust.
Match the lane threat
Exhaust answers a committed damage dealer; Ignite adds pressure and anti-heal; Heal protects both nearby partners.
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
Keep Vex visible before committing. The second Bot-lane champion and nearby Jungler can change whether the same engage 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 referenceData Dragon 16.20.1
Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units)Data Dragon 16.20.1
Gnar
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
W
Personal Space
Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.
Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
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
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.
Ahead plan
Use lane control to secure vision and safe pressure
1
Lane
Deny space with your lane partner, but keep the carry connected to the wave instead of roaming at every opportunity.
2
Map play
Move first with an ally, establish vision and protect the route your team will use to enter.
3
Fights
Start only when allies can follow, then change to peel if an enemy reaches the protected carry.
Even plan
Balance lane pressure with protection for the carry
1
Lane
Hold the ability that makes opponents respect your lane and trade when both Bot-lane partners are ready.
2
Map play
Recall and move on safe wave timings; an unsupported roam can cost the carry an entire wave or a dive.
3
Fights
Control one approach and keep enough protection for the enemy's most likely engage.
Behind plan
Protect safe farm and rebuild vision one area at a time
1
Lane
Stay for a crashing wave, block a dive and avoid spending the key defensive ability on low-value poke.
2
Map play
Enter darkness with another player and ward the nearest useful entrance instead of reaching for deep vision.
3
Fights
Peel first and punish overextension. A blind engage rarely repairs a losing game.
Pings, movement and objectives
Gnar Support map plan
Turn information into a shared decision. Move with an ally and preserve the tool that makes the next fight safe.
Ahead
Make the lead open the map
Ping
Use On My Way before changing angle, then Assist Me on Dragon after Bot is safe to move. Use Danger if the carry starts following through an unsafe route.
Map movement
Roam after a pushed wave, shared recall or when the carry can collect safely. Deep wards still require the Jungler or another nearby ally.
Objective
Arrive early, clear the enemy entrance and hold the key engage or peel spell. Do not chase away from Dragon and hand the opponent a free route back in.
Even
Create one clear numbers advantage
Ping
Use On My Way before an engage or roam, Enemy Missing as soon as a lane opponent disappears, and Danger when your carry cannot follow.
Map movement
Leave only on a safe wave or recall timing. If the carry would lose a full wave or face a dive, stay Bot and communicate that you are not moving.
Objective
Help Bot finish the wave, then enter river with the Jungler. Set vision before starting and avoid turning an even objective into an unseen gamble.
Behind
Stop the next loss before seeking a play
Ping
Use Retreat or Danger before an ally enters darkness, Enemy Missing immediately, and Assist Me when you need company to restore defensive vision.
Map movement
Do not abandon a crashing wave or vulnerable carry. Move after the wave is stable and use the nearest safe ward line rather than forcing deep vision.
Objective
If your team cannot enter river safely, ping Retreat and trade for farm, vision or another map resource. Contest only after creating a safe route together.
Objective setup
Four calls, in order
Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.
1
Before the move
Around a minute before Dragon, ping the plan, spend gold if needed and make sure Bot and Mid know whether they can move.
2
Enter together
Walk with the Jungler or another ally. Sweep one route, place useful entrance vision and never face-check alone.
3
Before starting
Check nearby waves and enemy positions. Hold the spell that either starts a reachable fight or protects your main damage dealer.
4
During the contest
Keep enemies away from the safe entrance, mark the reachable threat and avoid chasing so far that Dragon is left unprotected.
Later objectives: Use the same pattern for Rift Herald or Baron: communicate first, move through controlled vision with an ally, then choose engage or peel before the fight begins.
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.