Gnar
Matchup Summary
Gnar's early game is very crucial to abuse, as Gnar's Triforce powerspike simply provides him the damage and utility needed to exploit Renekton's weaknesses. Level 1 Renekton should take E start to help him remove bone plating, as well as providing short damage with PTA or Conq, allowing him to set up a level 2 kill. Once reaching level 2, Renekton can look for a kill with his E and Empowered W, allowing him to easily gain a kill and snowball the lane. Try to avoid tanking Gnar's W damage by using bushes to avoid giving him the proc activation, as well as standing out of his auto attack range. When looking for trades, try to use your E to bait his E, as his long 26 second CD will provide you a 10 second window to abuse it. When Gnar reaches Mega form, he should avoid fighting against him as his stats are simply too high to beat. Renekton can use his movement and E to outplay Mega Gnar's Q and W, allowing him to look for counter trades back, or providing him the window to kill Gnar. Later on in the game, try to avoid teamfights with Gnar's Mega form, as his ability to apply mass CC is absolutely lethal for him and his team to win the game.
Detailed Tips
- 01
Level 1 E Start - Try to cheese PTA proc or Conq with E1 > 3 auto's > disengage with E2. Doing this will also help you take away his bone plating for a level 2 kill.
- 02
Play For Level 2/3 Kill Angle - Once you chunk out Gnar you're most likely able to kill him with your W, Dash or Flash up. Look to shove the wave around your kill timer, so you're able to make Gnar lose a lot more.
- 03
Respect Gnar’s Poke - Gnar’s main form of damage will take place with him being in his mini form, which provides him with decent range and poke from his auto attacks, Q and W passive. Being in Gnar’s auto attack range can be very dangerous as the game progresses, so make sure to always avoid being hit by his W passive, on top of also utilising D Shield and Second Wind earlier on to nullify his ranged strengths within the lane.
- 04
Respect And Punish Gnar E - The biggest skill element in the match up comes from abusing Gnar’s E Jump, which essentially sets up your kill patterns in being able to beat Gnar. Gnar’s jump from level 1 is 22 seconds, meaning within that down time Renekton is able to punish Gnar and potentially kill him if he plays it correctly. Firstly within the lane, try to do a bait trade by dashing into him with E > Q. Doing this will either make him jump, or it will allow you to force your damage on top of him, severely weakening him in the process. If Gnar does jump, you can wait for your next E engage to burst him down and potentially kill him.
- 05
Respect Mega Gnar - Mega Gnar allows Gnar to empower his base stats, which also transforms his playstyle into a close range heavy damage bruiser. Within this time, Renekton should play to simply avoid his damage and R, using his movement or dashes to dodge Gnar’s W CC and Q damage. Typically you want to always avoid fighting Gnar in mega form, due to his high base health and armour stats. Most often you would rather wait it out until he’s back in mini form, in which after that you can then plan for your kill trades.
- 06
Respect Gnar’s Kite Potential - As the game reaches the later stages, Gnar’s mobility combined with Triforce and Black Cleaver can be absolutely disgusting and unplayable. Within this stage you want to avoid taking these fights, as well as taking long trades with Gnar in the laning phase. If Gnar is able to consistently get his W damage off, he is able to get a burst of movement speed to help him kite you out and out damage you. Try to use bushes and do your best to play off getting his E off while also playing the wave on your side, helping you avoid his kite playstyle.
- 07
Play Wave On Your Side - Playing the wave on your side essentially means playing wave states on your side of the map, via abusing wave manipulation tactics or freezing on your side of the map. Simply use this to help you combo on your laner, taking away any space from them being able to trade you back (This also helps prevent the enemy running you down with their extended or sustained movement speed abilities). You can also use this wave state to run down your opponent with your abilities up, helping you obtain kills a lot easier vs stalemate or ranged match ups. Look to do this when your opponents are below 50% HP, or potentially make a mistake to provide you an all in opportunity to run them down.
- 08
Quick Trades - E > Q > AA > W > AA > E Out / E > Q > W > E / E Q E - These combos allow for Renekton to get quick damage off in being able to keep health up and whittling his opponent down, use these to get your laner low and look for a low HP kill with flash.
- 09
Abuse Renekton's R Powerspike - Once you reach level 6 your ultimate will essentially help you consistently stat check and dominate any match ups you were winning or losing. Make sure to always wait for your R CD to help you make plays, otherwise it will lead you towards a major disadvantage in dueling your enemies.
- 10
Respect And Avoid Gnar R - Gnar R can be a really powerful tool that can completely change the whole course of a fight, allowing him to easily chain all his damage and CC together in combination with his W and Q in mega form. No matter if you’re in a 1v1 or a teamfight, you must respect gnar’s engage, so make sure to either wait out his mega form, or try to play to avoid his E and R, with a well timed dash or flash. When you’re around mega Gnar, try to avoid standing near walls to avoid his bonus damage and cc duration, as providing these to Gnar will most likely send you into a death sentence, or heavily out trade you forcing you to recall.
- 11
Build Eclipse, Black Cleaver, Stridebreaker or BoTRK - Go Eclipse for consistent power through mid game and damage mitigation with the shield. / Go Black Cleaver for additional CDR and other versatile stats for utility based gameplay. / Go Stridebreaker to cripple Gnar’s mobility and provide teammates with additional utility. / Go BoTRK to one shot and snowball with a damage focused build.
- 12
Mid Game + Teamfighting Tips - Later on in the game Renekton should avoid fighting Gnar, as his overall stats severely weaken Renekton throughout the game. Renekton’s best interest should be looking for teamfights, where he can successfully play to peel his team, or play to dive the enemy backline carries. In the teamfights as already mentioned, try to avoid playing against Gnar’s mega form, as this will easily provide Gnar a clear game plan to help him win the fights. Once Gnar is in mini form, try to take fights as a team where you’re able to jump onto his carries, with the overall objective of trying to shut them down. If Gnar has no mega form, he simply cannot peel hard enough and will not outdo Renekton’s overall teamfighting presence.