Illaoi vs Gnar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Gnar

Illaoi vs Gnar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Use tentacle zones to force Gnar into risky (E) angles and deny his ranged poke.
Pressure lane control aggressively to prevent Gnar from safely stacking Rage and timing mega form.
This is a control vs teamfight matchup where Illaoi wants to dominate side-lane zones and punish Gnar's form transitions.

Trading pattern

Trade only when tentacles are nearby and (E) lands to maximize damage and healing.
Punish Gnar's mini form cooldowns, especially when (E) is down, by forcing committed fights.
Use (W) and (R) to turn all-ins after Gnar commits inside your tentacle zone, avoiding extended chases.

Danger windows

Beware when Gnar's Rage is near mega form and he can jump in with (E) for hard CC and engage.
Avoid fighting near terrain walls when Gnar's mega (R) is available to prevent wall stuns.
After missing (E) or losing tentacle control, Illaoi is vulnerable to poke and ganks; reset zone and play cautiously.

Early game

Establish tentacles early around the wave to create threat zones for Gnar to avoid.
Fish for (E) spirit pulls when Gnar is forced to approach for CS under tentacle pressure.
Avoid chasing Gnar when he uses (E) to kite; instead reset tentacle zones and wait for him to re-engage.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) enables multi-target tentacle slams; fight only inside tentacle zones and punish Gnar's commits.
Side lane with multiple tentacles set up creates a major pressure spike; use this to force Gnar off waves or towers.
Respect Gnar's level 6 mega form and wall stun (R); back off before he transforms or fight after it expires.

Win conditions

Control tentacle zones to force Gnar into unfavorable (E) pulls and win trades.
Land (E) consistently to create vessel damage and healing, then punish with (R) during multi-target commits.
Use side-lane pressure with established tentacles to deny Gnar wave control and capitalize on ganks that commit into your zone.