Gnar is a A tier Top Lane champion in League of Legends Patch 16.5 with a 50.1% win rate in Emerald+ ranked games, according to OP.GG data. The optimal Gnar build starts with Doran's Blade and Health Potion, with core items being Trinity Force, Sterak's Gage, Death's Dance and Plated Steelcaps. For runes, run Conqueror from Precision with Resolve as the secondary tree. Skill priority is Q > E > W. Gnar is best played with Flash and Teleport as summoner spells. The most challenging matchup in Top Lane is Anivia (S+ tier, 55.3% win rate).
Source: OP.GG Emerald+ ranked data, Patch 16.5 · Last updated: March 2026 · Meridian Zero Analytics
Best Build — Patch 16.5
Start
Doran's BladeHealth Potion
Core
Trinity ForceSterak's GageDeath's Dance
Boots
Plated Steelcaps
Spells
FlashTeleport
Priority
Q > E > W
Expert Tips
- Budget your rage carefully — Mega Gnar is your teamfight tool, Mini is your poke tool. Don't waste Mega engaging on 1.
- W (Hyper) passive in Mini Gnar procs on every 3rd attack. Use it to proc on a tank for the speed boost then escape.
- Mega Gnar GNAR! (R) requires you to slam enemies into terrain. Stand between the enemy and a wall before ulting.
Top Lane Matchups — Difficulty by Opponent
| Opponent | Tier | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
Anivia
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Shen
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Kayle
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Garen
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Ornn
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Malphite
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Irelia
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Renekton
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Aatrox
|
S+ | Hard | Analyze → |
Vayne
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Fiora
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Camille
|
S | Hard | Analyze → |
Runes — Patch 16.5
KeystoneConqueror
Primary TreePrecision
Slot 1Triumph
Slot 2Legend: Haste
Slot 3Last Stand
Secondary TreeResolve
Secondary 1Second Wind
Secondary 2Overgrowth