Talk:Gnar/@comment-5077844-20141206211446/@comment-3546228-20141210013424

I've found that item wise full tank is almost always the best way to go, unless you're snowballing. 1 (or 2) Doran Blades give enough early game damage to not be a ward and later in the game as you gain ability ranks (especially on your Q and W) your damage will be intimidating enough for carries to fear you. Even with little to no AD Gnar can generally burst key targets down given he can survive to chain his abilities, which is why tank items are a must in any scenario.

For damage I like to go Trinity rather than BORK, because it's also good in mega gnar form (spellblade, more base AD...). BORK is great for melting tanks, of course, but... Gnar can already do that.

However, when against AP and in a pinch, consider - it's cheap, gives attack speed, STEALS magic resist - so it boosts your W's damage considerably, makes you tankier while you're attacking and makes you attack faster. I don't see why not buy it if you're against an AP toplane. If sustain isn't too much of an issue, that is (which it shouldn't given that 9 times out of 10 Gnar can win trades in lane).