Kayle vs Gnar TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Gnar

Kayle vs Gnar

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize safe farming and avoid extended trades until level 6 to reach ranged form and item thresholds.
Accept low early lane pressure and focus on scaling into a late-game DPS threat with strong (R) usage.
This is a control vs scaling matchup where Kayle must survive Gnar's poke and all-ins to reach late power spikes.

Trading pattern

Avoid extended trades before level 6 and only trade short bursts when (E) is down.
Use (Q) slow and resistance shred to safely poke and kite when you have range.
After level 6, use (R) to negate Gnar's burst and commit to longer DPS trades when his engage is down.

Danger windows

Kayle is vulnerable pre-6 due to Gnar's poke and engage potential; avoid extended trades.
When (R) is down, be cautious as Gnar's burst and CC become more threatening.
Watch for Gnar's mega form near terrain for potential all-ins and hard crowd control stuns.

Early game

Play defensively and use (W) to sustain through poke while farming safely near your tower.
Avoid trading before level 6 as Gnar's mini form has medium early agency and poke advantage.
Use (Q) to farm and slow Gnar when he oversteps, but do not force trades without (R) ready.

Power spikes

At level 6, Kayle gains ranged attacks and (R); use this to stabilize lane and deny lethal burst.
Kayle's late-game DPS threshold is a major spike; protect uptime and fight front-to-back.
Respect Gnar's level 6 mega form (R) with wall stun and hard CC; avoid fights when his Rage is near full.

Win conditions

Survive early poke and pressure to reach level 6 and ranged form safely.
Use (R) effectively to deny Gnar's burst and turn fights into front-to-back DPS scenarios.
Focus on scaling through safe farming and item thresholds to become a late-game side-lane and teamfight threat.