League of Legends
What Is Ganking in League of Legends?
A surprise attack on a lane by a player from outside it, usually the jungler, to win a fight with a numbers advantage.
What does gank mean in League of Legends?
A gank is a surprise attack on a lane by a player who comes from outside it, most often the jungler. By turning a one-versus-one into a two-versus-one, the ganking team can kill the enemy laner, force a summoner spell or push them out of lane.
What makes a lane gankable
- The enemy is pushed up toward your side, far from their tower.
- There is no vision covering the paths the jungler will use.
- Your laner has crowd control to keep the target in place.
- The target has used key spells, such as Flash or a dash.
This is why wave management and ganks are so connected: a laner who freezes the wave near their own turret makes the enemy walk into a perfect gank position.
How to avoid being ganked
- Ward the river and jungle entrances and watch the minimap.
- Track the enemy jungler from where they were last seen and which camps are missing.
- Do not push without information; stay close to your tower when you cannot see the jungler.
Counter-ganks
If your jungler is nearby when the enemy ganks, they can counter-gank: join the fight late and turn a two-versus-one into a two-versus-two that favors your side.
Example
The enemy top laner keeps pushing without wards. Your jungler walks up through the river, your top laner stuns the target, and the gank ends in a kill and an easy turret plate.
Want to gank or dodge ganks more effectively? Our League of Legends coaches can review your pathing and map awareness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can laners gank too?
Yes. Mid laners and supports often roam to other lanes. Any attack from a player who is not part of that lane counts as a gank.
Is a failed gank a waste?
Not always. Even without a kill, a gank can burn Flash, force a recall or let your laner take turret plates.