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Top · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Gwen vs Olaf

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

GwenVSOlaf

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

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

VS
Role
Selected laneTop

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

TopGwen

Gwen has an established solo-lane plan with the income and space needed to trade, manage waves and influence a side lane.

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

Normal Draft · Top

AP solo fighter

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

Dusk and Dawn

3,100 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.

2
Boots

Sorcerer's Shoes

1,100 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Extended fights

Shadowflame

3,200 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.

4
Commit safety

Rabadon's Deathcap

3,500 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
Flexible defence

Zhonya's Hourglass

3,250 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Commit safetyRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Extended fightsShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Extended fightsShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededAP solo fighterRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Extended fightsShadowflame
  4. Commit safetyRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Commit safetyRabadon's Deathcap
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Extended fightsShadowflame
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  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 itemDusk and Dawn
  2. BootsSorcerer's Shoes
  3. Extended fightsShadowflame
  4. Void Staff
  5. Flexible defenceZhonya's Hourglass
  6. Repeated spell rotationsCosmic Drive

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsGwenTop

Use repeated combat and durability rather than gambling the long solo lane on one short trade.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Precision

ConquerorTriumphLegend: AlacrityLast Stand
Secondary tree

Resolve

Bone PlatingOvergrowth
Summoner spells
FlashTeleport
Long-lane safety

Teleport preserves recalls and side-lane access. Ignite is a deliberate pressure trade-off, not a universal upgrade.

Respect the matchup

Keep the defensive secondary runes when repeated poke or one committed trade can decide the lane.

Matchup notes

What changes when Olaf is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Strategic interaction

Sustained magic damage

Repeated magic damage can challenge opponents who are comfortable absorbing short physical trades.

Early to mid

Use trading, skirmishes and side-lane pressure before long-range grouped fights restrict access.

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

Gwen reminders

  • Always be Attacking - In addition to dealing bonus damage, Gwen's Attacks empower or reset many of her Abilities.
  • Gwen can still damage enemies outside her Hallowed Mists, especially with her Ultimate's range.
  • Some of Gwen's Abilities can apply her passive to multiple enemies, so aim them at groups to get maximum damage and healing.
Ability reminders

Against Olaf

  • Olaf becomes more dangerous the lower life he is. Save your disables to finish him off.
  • Preventing Olaf from reaching his axe will minimize the amount of harassment he can cause in the laning phase.
  • Olaf has reduced defenses from damage during Ragnarok, despite being immune to disables. If you can't escape from Olaf during Ragnarok, try focusing your damage on him with your teammates.

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

Gwen

  1. P
    A Thousand Cuts

    Gwen's attacks deal bonus magic damage based on the targets health. She heals for a portion of the damage dealt to champions by this effect.

  2. Q
    Snip Snip!

    Gwen snips her scissors in a cone up to 6 times dealing magic damage. Gwen deals true damage to units in the center and applies her passive to them on each snip.

    Cooldown (s) 6.5/5.75/5/4.25/3.5 · Cost 40 · Listed range (units) 450
  3. W
    Hallowed Mist

    Gwen summons mist that protects her from enemies outside of it. She can only be targeted by enemies who enter the mist.

    Cooldown (s) 22/21/20/19/18 · Cost 60
  4. E
    Skip 'n Slash

    Gwen dashes a short distance then gains Attack Speed, attack range, and magic damage On-Hit for a few seconds. If she hits an enemy during that time, this Ability's cooldown is partially refunded.

    Cooldown (s) 13/12.5/12/11.5/11 · Cost 35 · Listed range (units) 400
  5. R
    Needlework

    Gwen hurls a needle that slows enemies hit, deals magic damage, and applies A Thousand Cuts to champions hit. This ability can be cast up to two more times, with each cast throwing additional needles and dealing more damage.

    Cooldown (s) 120/100/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 1200

Olaf

  1. P
    Berserker Rage

    Olaf gains Attack Speed and Life Steal based on his missing Health.

  2. Q
    Undertow

    Olaf throws an axe that damages and slows enemies and reduces champions' armor. Picking it up refunds cooldown depending on elapsed time; an immediate reset is not guaranteed.

    Retrieve the axe only when safe; check the remaining cooldown before casting again.

    Cooldown (s) 9 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 1000
  3. W
    Tough It Out

    Olaf's Attack Speed is increased and he gains a Shield.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 50 · Listed range (units) 700
  4. E
    Reckless Swing

    Olaf attacks with such force that it deals true damage to his target and himself, refunding the Health cost if he destroys the target.

    Uses health. Check the current ability tooltip for the health amount and any additional resource cost.

    Cooldown (s) 11/10/9/8/7 · Listed range (units) 325
  5. R
    Ragnarok

    Olaf passively gains increased armor and magic resist. He can activate this ability to become immune to disables for as long as he keeps attacking.

    Cooldown (s) 100/90/80 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 400

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

Trade around the wave and your strongest cooldowns

1
Lane

Keep health and minions balanced so one poor trade does not decide the lane.

2
Map play

Move after the wave is handled and communicate if the opposing Top laner leaves first.

3
Fights

Choose between front-line duty, side pressure and carry access according to the champion kit.

Pings, movement and objectives

Gwen Top map plan

Manage the long lane before leaving it. A useful move begins with a handled wave, a visible route and a teammate who knows you are coming.

Ahead

Use the side-lane lead without donating it

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opposing Top leaves, then On My Way before a flank or objective move.
Stay or move
Push the wave before moving. Stay if leaving would hand several minions or your tower back to the opponent.
Objective
Arrive through a known route and mark whether you are front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry. Do not enter alone before the team can follow.
Even

Make the wave create the first move

Ping
Use Enemy Missing early, Danger on the route they may take, and On My Way only after your own wave is handled.
Stay or move
Move after pushing or on a shared recall. Do not follow through unwarded river merely because the opponent left first.
Objective
Tell the team whether you can move before the objective starts. Approach with vision and save the cooldown needed for the first real commitment.
Behind

Protect experience and communicate the pressure

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing immediately and Retreat if teammates are about to meet the stronger Top laner without you.
Stay or move
Do not match a stronger opponent through darkness. Clear the safe wave, then group by the shortest controlled route.
Objective
State early if you cannot contest. If the team still fights, provide control or protection instead of attempting an isolated flank.
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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