Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The First Trade Pattern
- Which Gnar Skin to Use
- When They Ban Gnar
- Optimal Runes for Gnar
- Gnar's Ability Priority
- Mastering Gnar's Kit
- Gnar's Lane Opponents
- Fight Everything Syndrome
- When They Kite You Out
- The Split Decision
- The Split Push Build
- Timing Gnar's All-Ins
- The Limit Test That Worked
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players fundamentally don't track the Rage bar. They fight a Mini Gnar who is at 95% Rage, get surprised by the mid-fight transformation, and suddenly get stunned against a wall for 2 seconds while Mega Gnar beats them to death. They also let Mini Gnar kite them endlessly, walking forward in a straight line while you auto-walk-auto-walk for free damage. A smurf manages Rage perfectly to have Mega form ready for every Dragon fight, Baron fight, or tower dive—the timing of your transformation is everything.
The First Trade Pattern
Start Q (Boomerang Throw). Walk to lane and immediately begin harassing the enemy with Q. The key mechanic is catching the boomerang when it returns—catching it reduces the cooldown significantly, allowing you to throw another almost immediately. If you're against a melee champion, kite them relentlessly: Auto > walk away > Q > catch boomerang > Auto > walk away > Q. You can zone them completely off the first three waves and create an XP lead that snowballs the entire lane phase. Don't let them touch you.
Which Gnar Skin to Use
'Dino Gnar' is mandatory for cuteness and BM. 'Astronaut Gnar' is clean. 'Gentleman Gnar' is fancy. 'SSG Gnar' is cool white tiger.
'Super Galaxy' has very clear audio cues for his rage bar, which helps in heated fights. 'Gentleman' is classy but the auto-attack projectile feels a bit floaty. 'Astronaut' is smooth. 'SSG' is great if you want that sharp, competitive look.
'Dino Gnar' is mandatory for cuteness and BM. 'Astronaut Gnar' is clean. 'Gentleman Gnar' is fancy. 'Super Galaxy' has clear rage audio cues. Dino Gnar wins for the tilt factor alone.
When They Ban Gnar
Jayce gives you the same form-swapping, poke-into-all-in playstyle. Kennen gives you the massive AOE teamfight engage Gnar is known for. Vayne Top is if you just want to make the enemy top laner quit the game (and your own team hate you).
Jayce for the range/melee switch. Kennen for the AOE stun ultimate. Vayne Top for the kiting. Jayce gives you the same form-swapping poke dynamics.
Optimal Runes for Gnar
Fleet Footwork (Sustain/Kiting) or Grasp of the Undying (Brawling). Fleet is safer for kiting. Secondary Resolve (Bone Plating/Overgrowth).
Gnar's Ability Priority
Max Q for poke. Max W second for % HP damage. E last.
Mastering Gnar's Kit
GNAR! (Mega Only). Throws enemies in a direction. Hitting wall deals extra damage and STUNS. Using Passive-Transformation triggers on spell cast.
Gnar's Lane Opponents
Nightmare. She Qs your minions to gap close. You can't kite her. Dodge.
Easy. Kite him. Jump away if he Qs. He can never touch you.
Gnar is the missing link. Kite them as the mouse, crush them as the monster, and control your rage.
Irelia is a nightmare because Mini-Gnar is squishy and she dashes to him instantly. You can never walk up to minions if she has stacks. Garen is free; just auto him every time he tries to exist. If he Qs, you jump away. He should never touch you.
Fight Everything Syndrome
Stop using Hop (E) aggressively in Mini form! In Mini Gnar, your E is your ONLY escape. If you use it to jump onto the enemy and your Rage isn't close to transformation, you're a sitting duck with no mobility and squishy stats. Save E for escaping ganks or for the transformation timing (E into enemy team > transform mid-air > R them into wall). Also, CATCH YOUR BOOMERANG. Missing the catch puts Q on a massive cooldown that destroys your lane trading pattern. Practice catching boomerangs while kiting—it's the core skill of Mini Gnar.
When They Kite You Out
Dodge Irelia or Yasuo. They dash onto you and stick. Mini Gnar is squishy. You die. Also Jarvan traps you.
The Split Decision
In teamfights, stay Mini to stack rage on the frontline. At 90% Rage, look for a Bounce (E) off a minion or champion to double-jump into the enemy team. Transform mid-air. R (GNAR!) them into a wall. W (Wallop) to chain stun. You are the engage.
Mega Gnar's Q (Boulder Toss) has a huge slow. Use it to catch runners or to peel for your team. Remember that you gain massive HP when transforming—use it to bait dives.
In teamfights, stay Mini to stack rage. At 90%, look for a Bounce (E) into the enemy team and transform mid-air. R (GNAR!) them into a wall. You are the engage.
The Split Push Build
On-Hit Gnar. Trinity Force -> Wit's End -> Guinsoo's. Your Mini-W deals % Max HP magic damage. With attack speed, you melt tanks in seconds. Bad for Mega form, but hilarious for kiting.
On-Hit Gnar. Trinity Force -> Wit's End -> Guinsoo's. Your Mini-W deals % Max HP magic damage. With attack speed, you melt tanks in seconds. Bad for Mega form, but hilarious for kiting. Only use this if you don't need to be the primary tank.
On-Hit Gnar: Trinity Force -> Wit's End -> Guinsoo's. Your Mini-W deals % Max HP magic damage. With attack speed, you melt tanks. It's bad for Mega form, but hilarious for kiting.
Timing Gnar's All-Ins
Level 6 (Transformation unlock). Black Cleaver completion. Mega Gnar flash-R angles.
Level 6 (Transformation unlock). Black Cleaver completion. Mega Gnar flash-R angles. Gnar is all about the rage bar management—learn to time your transformation with the objective fights.
Level 6 unlock is your kill pressure. Black Cleaver completion is your duel spike. Mega Gnar Flash-R angles decide games. Manage your rage bar like a resource.
The Limit Test That Worked
Spamming Dance in Mini form. Transforming and roaring. Kiting a Darius across the entire lane without letting him touch you.
Spamming Dance in Mini form. Transforming and roaring. Kiting a Darius across the entire lane without letting him touch you. Gnar is a high-skill kiter—if you play it right, they'll never touch you.
Spamming Dance in Mini form. Transforming and roaring. Kiting a Darius across the entire lane without letting him touch you. If you space perfectly, they can't play the game.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.18 | Sep 11, 2024 | BUFF | Base stats buffed |
| V14.11 | May 30, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed, Base stats buffed |
| V14.9 | May 1, 2024 | NERF | Base stats nerfed |
| V13.17 | Aug 30, 2023 | BUFF | Q buffed, W buffed |
| V12.14 | Jul 27, 2022 | NERF | Base stats nerfed |
