ganks

A gank is a coordinated ambush of an opposing player or target by multiple teammates, designed to secure a kill or force a retreat. In team-based online games such as MOBAs, ganks typically occur when a laner is isolated, overextended, or when a roaming ally or jungler arrives to surprise them. The aim is to gain an advantage in gold, experience, and lane control.

The term is common in MOBA communities and is thought to derive from “gang up” or from the idea of a coordinated attack. It is widely used in League of Legends, Dota 2, and similar games, as well as in broader real-time strategy contexts.

Ganks rely on timing, information, and coordination: a primary aggressor initiates the attack while teammates provide support with crowd control, damage, or zoning. Ganks may be planned via jungle routes or sprung from enemy missteps. Outcomes range from a successful kill or forced retreat to a failed ambush when the target escapes or when the ambushers are spotted.

Counterplay focuses on vision and map awareness, defensive rotations, and preemptive warding. Counter-ganks involve tracking incoming threats and responding with teammates to protect vulnerable lanes. In competitive play, ganks are a standard tactic used to apply pressure, snowball advantages, or punish careless play.