Alternative ways to nerf (balance) Gnar
Gnar has always been frustrating to play against because he is like a marksman + tank in one package. He is desired because he can get CS leads in lane by harassing the enemy laner with ranged AAs and Qs, 3-hit passive and a decent escape tool. He can both split-push (in mini) and be a front-line tank for initiation (mega). He bullies many top-laners (mainly juggernauts) out of champion select, resulting in decreased diversity and fun. My goal is to make Gnar less frustrating to play against in lane as well as reduce his power level in mid-late game split-pushing:
- Mini Gnar's attack range (make it not scale per level). Higher & higher basic attack range only makes it harder for opposing split-pushers to interact with him. More context in next point.
- Nerf or remove either the slow of Boomerang Toss or Hyper's movement speed bonus. I will take a guess that Gnar is mini 80%+ of the time. Boomerang Throw has a 40% CDR mechanic if Gnar catches it, Hyper itself has no CD (both MS proc & max HP% dmg). Hyper's only CD is when Gnar transforms into Mega Gnar. Because mini Gnar is ranged and has an abundance of speed-ups due to Hyper & Phage/Black Cleaver procs, along with Boomerang Throw & Frozen Mallet slows, even a behind Gnar can pick you off because he can kite/chase with ease. This really only leaves you with a couple of choices. Either let him push the wave until he leaves lane/reaches tower, or force all-ins onto him.
- Base AD or attack speed growth (former will make him less bully in lane, the latter less of a threat on towers and in 1v1 split-push duels). He likes to build Bork which provides sustain, attack speed to help proc Hyper, as well as its current HP% passive vs Tanks.
- Mini Gnar's Hyper and/or Hop's max HP percentage damage. Really, why does he have 2 abilities that hurt tanks on top of a split push build of Black Cleaver + BorK? Shredding armor + current %HP dmg is enough, why does he need max HP dmg? Maybe keep the max HP dmg exclusive to Mega Gnar.
- Remove Boomerang Throw/Hop from adding a Hyper stack. As mentioned above, mini Gnar builds anti-tank items already and IS RANGED. He doesn't need help adding stacks of Hyper.