ganking

Ganking is a term used in competitive online games to describe a coordinated surprise attack on an opponent, usually when the target is isolated or out of position. The concept is most associated with multiplayer online battle arena games, but it also appears in open-world PvP and some role-playing or shooter titles. The core idea is to overwhelm a target with more players than they can safely handle, often resulting in a quick kill and a shift in lane or map pressure.

In practice, ganks typically involve one or more players who roam from a side lane or jungle to ambush a lone opponent. Successful ganks rely on timing, vision control, and coordination, sometimes followed by crowd-control or burst damage to ensure the kill. Defenders counter ganks with map awareness, defensive wards, sentry vision, and defensive positioning near towers, as well as counter-ganks where allies swing to support a threatened teammate.

The primary objective of ganking is to gain map advantage: securing a kill, denying experience and gold, and applying pressure that routes a team’s tempo. However, ganks carry risks, including exposure to counter-attacks, wasting time if the target escapes or if the ambush fails, and potential negative perception if used excessively or against inexperienced players. Many games encourage balanced play by rewarding successful ganks while discouraging predictable or unfair harassment.

Variations of ganking occur in open-world PvP and MMORPG settings, where groups target players in contested areas or during vulnerable activities. Overall, ganking is a strategic tool tied to vision, timing, and risk management, shaping how teams control the map and pressure opponents.