Warwick vs Gangplank TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

Back to matchup selector

Champion

Opponent

RoleGenerate matchup

Warwick

VS

Top

Gangplank

Warwick vs Gangplank

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Warwick should use his early dueling strength and sustain to pressure Gangplank and deny him a calm scaling lane.
Prioritize extended melee fights where Warwick's healing and fear can outlast Gangplank's poke and barrel zoning.
This is a snowball versus scale matchup; Warwick must snowball early to prevent Gangplank from reaching his late-game barrel threat.

Trading pattern

Take extended trades using (Q) healing and hold (E) to absorb Gangplank's poke or barrel damage before fearing.
Punish Gangplank after he misses barrels or uses (W) to cleanse, as his defensive tools are down.
Use (R) to lock down low-health or overextended Gangplank targets, especially after baiting his movement.

Danger windows

Be cautious when Gangplank has barrels primed and (W) ready to cleanse crowd control, as he can punish early (E) or (R) attempts.
Avoid engaging when (R) is active, as the global slow can hinder Warwick's chase and escape.
Warwick is vulnerable after missing (R) or using (E) prematurely; avoid extended trades during these cooldowns.

Early game

Use levels 1-3 to force extended trades where (E) fear can absorb Gangplank's burst and (Q) heals Warwick.
Avoid letting Gangplank set up barrels uncontested; pressure the wave to limit his zone control.
Track (W) cooldown to know when crowd control can stick and all-ins become safer.

Power spikes

At level 3, Warwick gains full kit for strong sustain and fear; take fights that allow (E) to absorb damage and (Q) to heal.
At level 6, use (R) to force picks or all-ins from range, exploiting Gangplank's low mobility and limited hard crowd control.
Respect Gangplank's level 6 (R) global slow and barrel scaling; avoid extended fights when his barrels are set up and (R) is available.

Win conditions

Snowball early by winning extended trades with (Q) healing and (E) fear to deny Gangplank safe scaling.
Use (R) to pick off low-health Gangplank when he overextends or mispositions around barrels.
Deny Gangplank barrel setups by pressuring the wave and punishing cooldowns to prevent his scaling impact.