Gangplank, the Saltwater Scourge, is a notorious pirate from the port city of Bilgewater in League of Legends. His name strikes fear across the seas, and his presence commands authority and chaos. Once a king of the Bilgewater underworld, Gangplank ruled with a brutal and ruthless nature, ensuring no one could challenge his dominion. However, his throne was stolen from him after an explosive betrayal. Gangplank is not only feared for his cutthroat methods, but also respected for his resilience and sheer tenacity in battle. Here, we will dive deep into Gangplank’s lore, his abilities, and strategies to help you conquer the Rift.

Gangplank’s Lore and Backstory

Gangplank was born to a pirate captain, Vincent the Shadow, one of the most feared men across the Blue Flame Islands. Raised in the cutthroat environment of Bilgewater, Gangplank grew up amidst cruelty and violence. His father was hard on him, ensuring the boy grew tough and unyielding. By the time Gangplank reached adulthood, he was already a ruthless pirate, so much so that he killed his own father to take over his ship, The Dead Pool, and claim leadership of Bilgewater.

Gangplank’s rise to power was swift, and his reign as Bilgewater’s pirate king was brutal. He built his fearsome reputation by plundering trade routes across the Twelve Seas, stealing from the Noxian fleet, and leaving a trail of chaos wherever he sailed. Despite facing powerful enemies, including the Grand General of Noxus and the Order of Shadow, Gangplank remained elusive and unstoppable for many years.

However, his reign came to an end when Sarah Fortune, a renowned bounty hunter from Bilgewater, plotted her revenge. She blew up his ship with all of Bilgewater as witnesses, killing his crew and gravely injuring him. This act of betrayal shattered the illusion of his invincibility and sent Bilgewater into chaos, as different factions began fighting for control. Despite the horrific injuries he sustained in the explosion, Gangplank survived. Now, with a metal arm replacing his lost limb, Gangplank is more determined than ever to reclaim his throne and punish all who dared to defy him.

Personality: The Dread Pirate

Gangplank’s reign over Bilgewater was defined by brutality and fear. He is known for his ruthlessness, not only toward his enemies but even toward his own crew. The pirate king is infamous for torturing and mutilating those who cross him, often carving bones or committing acts of extreme violence as a display of dominance. In combat, Gangplank is fearless, even ordering the amputation of his arm without showing pain, a testament to his unwavering will.

His cold-hearted nature is especially evident in his interactions with Miss Fortune. He murdered her mother when she refused to hand over a pair of twin pistols he had commissioned, never realizing that Sarah would later rise to become one of his most persistent adversaries.

Despite his outward cruelty, Gangplank holds an unshakeable belief in his right to rule Bilgewater. His single-minded focus on power makes him one of the most dangerous and determined individuals in the world of League of Legends.

Abilities: A Breakdown of Gangplank’s Skills

Gangplank’s skillset is designed to bring chaos to the battlefield. He excels at dealing damage over time, controlling zones with his explosive kegs, and outmaneuvering enemies with surprising mobility. Let’s break down his abilities.

Trial by Fire

This passive ability is key to Gangplank’s early-game damage output. Every few seconds, Gangplank’s next basic attack is empowered to set the target on fire, dealing significant bonus true damage over time. Not only does this burn provide great harass in lane, but it also grants Gangplank bonus movement speed when activated, allowing him to reposition quickly or chase down opponents.

Parrrley

Gangplank’s iconic ability, Parrrley, allows him to fire a pistol shot at an enemy, dealing physical damage. If the shot kills the target, Gangplank plunders extra gold and generates Silver Serpents, a unique currency used to upgrade his ultimate. The ability can critically strike and applies on-hit effects, making it a powerful tool for both farming and poking enemies.

Remove Scurvy

In true pirate fashion, Gangplank keeps a stash of citrus fruits to heal himself and remove all crowd control effects. This ability is essential for surviving tough engagements, especially against champions with heavy crowd control. The healing scales with both ability power and missing health, making it a valuable tool for sustain in lane and team fights.

Powder Keg

Gangplank’s signature zoning tool, Powder Keg, allows him to place explosive barrels at a target location. These barrels can be attacked by both Gangplank and his enemies, but if Gangplank destroys one, it triggers an explosion that deals area damage, applies a slow, and reduces armor. Multiple kegs can be chained together for devastating effects, giving Gangplank incredible teamfight potential and wave clear. Mastering barrel placement and timing is essential for any player looking to dominate with Gangplank.

Cannon Barrage

Gangplank’s global ultimate, Cannon Barrage, calls down waves of cannon fire on a selected area. This ability provides crowd control through slow effects and deals magic damage to all enemies caught in its radius. What makes Cannon Barrage even more deadly is the fact that Gangplank can upgrade it with Silver Serpents, enhancing its effects. The available upgrades include Death’s Daughter for additional true damage, Fire at Will for extra cannon waves, and Raise Morale to grant movement speed to Gangplank and his allies. The versatility of this ability makes it a powerful tool for both offensive and defensive plays.

Gangplank’s Relationships

Illaoi

Gangplank and Illaoi shared a romantic history that ended long ago. Despite their breakup, Illaoi remains a pivotal figure in Gangplank’s life. She helped him regain his purpose by subjecting him to a spiritual test known as the Test of Spirit. Her faith in him prompted several powerful factions to support his bid to reclaim Bilgewater. However, the bond between them remains complicated, especially after Illaoi allied with Miss Fortune and other champions to oppose him.

Miss Fortune

Miss Fortune’s hatred for Gangplank runs deep. He murdered her mother, and in an act of revenge, she destroyed his ship, leading to his fall from power. Gangplank initially underestimated her, seeing her only as a bounty hunter. However, she has become one of his most dangerous rivals. Their conflict continues in Ruined King, where Miss Fortune once again defeats Gangplank, nearly executing him before he escapes to wage a bloody war against her.

Swain and Zed

Gangplank has made many enemies throughout his career, including two of the most dangerous individuals in Runeterra: Swain and Zed. Swain seeks revenge after Gangplank stole his personal warship, the Leviathan, and Zed wants retribution for Gangplank’s theft from the Temple of the Jagged Knife. Despite their hatred, Gangplank has thus far evaded their attempts at revenge.

Strategies to Dominate with Gangplank

Gangplank excels in both the early and late game if played correctly. In the laning phase, he can use Parrrley to farm safely from a distance, while Trial by Fire allows for strong trades with melee opponents. His barrels provide zoning and can keep opponents on their toes, while Remove Scurvy helps him survive ganks and heavy crowd control.

As the game progresses, Gangplank’s barrel mechanics become critical. Well-placed kegs can shred through enemy teams in skirmishes and teamfights. Mastering his barrel chains allows him to dish out massive damage from a distance, while Cannon Barrage can turn the tide of battle from anywhere on the map.

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Gangplank is a champion that demands practice and precision, but in the right hands, he can dominate the Rift with his mix of high burst damage and zone control. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, learning to master his abilities will make you a fearsome force on the seas of Summoner’s Rift.