Gangplank vs Nasus TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Nasus

Gangplank vs Nasus

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Prioritize controlling the lane with (Q) poke and barrel zoning to deny Nasus safe stacking and scaling.
Manage wave states to prevent Nasus from freezing near his tower and gaining uncontested farm.
This is a scaling vs scaling matchup where Gangplank must leverage medium early pressure to delay Nasus's late-game juggernaut power.

Trading pattern

Trade short bursts using (Q) and passive resets backed by barrels, avoiding prolonged melee range where Nasus stacks (Q).
Only extend trades when (W) is available to cleanse (W) slow and when barrels are primed for chain damage.
Punish Nasus immediately after he clears barrels or when (W) is down to prevent him from forcing all-ins.

Danger windows

Be cautious when Nasus has (R) active combined with high (Q) stacks as he becomes a strong duelist in extended fights.
Avoid engaging when barrels are unprimed or (W) is on cooldown, as Nasus can punish with his slow and sustained damage.
Watch for enemy jungler ganks, especially if Nasus is ahead and can 1v2; use (R) to assist or disengage accordingly.

Early game

Use (Q) to poke and farm safely, avoiding extended trades before barrel chains are set up.
Maintain barrel control around the wave to zone Nasus and punish him if he steps forward to farm.
Save (W) to cleanse (W) slow and heal only when key crowd control or all-in attempts occur.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to influence skirmishes globally and deter Nasus from extended trades near barrel zones.
Scale into critical barrel damage with key items to turn one barrel chain into a fight-deciding threat.
Respect Nasus's level 6 (R) and high (Q) stacks timing by avoiding prolonged fights and disengaging when he activates durability and repeated damage.

Win conditions

Control the lane with consistent (Q) poke and maintain barrel zones to deny Nasus safe stacking.
Reach critical barrel scaling to threaten one-shot damage and force Nasus to respect your zone control.
Use (R) to impact fights globally, applying pressure without leaving lane and preventing Nasus from freely side-laning or dueling.