Sea shanties aside, Gangplank has a good number of skins. And it can be daunting to decide which one you like the most. So we’re here ranking all of his skins based on everything they offer, visual appeal, as well as the amount of dubloons required. Yarr.
11. Sailor Gangplank
Released: January 10th, 2011 Price: 750 RP I’m going to put this one in last place, as it literally feels like you’re paying in order to be demoted. You’re a captain for god’s sake! Plus with a shirt that tight, it feels like you’re cosplaying a sailor more than actually being one. And since there are no major changes to the animations (besides the barrels being a bit whiter), the base model is all I have to go on. So if you’re a hardcore realist and just really love sailors, I guess this is a good pick, but otherwise you have better options.
10. Captain Gangplank
Released: August 9th, 2015 Price: 975 RP Okay, I will admit that the event leading up to this skin was extremely entertaining. However, now that it’s all behind us, the skin feels underwhelming. It’s just the base skin minus the robot arm and skin rash. And it’s not like I hate the more down to earth captain look… but rather I think there’s a different skin here that pulls it off better. So why waste your money on this one? I guess his voice is different, but is that really enough to justify a higher ranking?
9. Sultan Gangplank
Released: November 13th, 2013 Price: 975 RP Sultan Gangplank just gives off supreme Chad energy. Just look at that chest! However, that badassery is somewhat undermined by the fact that you now use vases to blow people up. To each their own I suppose. But pottery usually doesn’t show up in action movies. Aside from the character model and the new vases, there isn’t much else to say about the skin. But then again, considering it’s only 975 RP, it can’t hurt to give it a look.
8. Toy Soldier Gangplank
Released: December 14th, 2011 Price: 975 RP This is Gangplank’s only proper goofy skin, so it is rather special in that regard. As a wind up doll pirate, you get matching wind up doll barrels and some phony weapons. And yet you still manage to blow everything up! Overall, I think the skin is quite fun. It isn’t trying too hard to look like a toy, but there are some brilliant details that really seal the deal for me. For example, if you look closely, you’ll see that your arm spins all the way around after using your Q. Now that’s some nice attention to detail!
7. Minuteman Gangplank
Released: July 3rd, 2010 Price: 520 RP Although the name for this skin gives me immense Fallout 4 flashbacks, and the character design makes me yearn for cereal, I quite like it as a whole. This is the skin I was talking about when I said that the captain gimmick could have been done in a better way. Minuteman Gangplank looks like a proper captain to me! The colors are very clear, the uniform is impeccably designed, and the hat feather just makes me happy. Sure, it isn’t the flashiest skin in the world. But I still think it does the champion justice, and people can’t keep sleeping on its appeal forever.
6. Pool Party Gangplank
Released: August 2nd, 2018 Price: 1350 RP Just like every Pool Party skin to come before (and after) this one, this skin is very well made. It’s weird to see Gangplank in this laid back style – but the animation team really made me reach for my wallet. You’ll now be shooting people with your water gun, splash effect included, and your barrels have now become watermelons, splatter particles also included. Oh yeah, and your ult drops water balloons from the sky. But all of that is irrelevant compared to the fact that you’re carrying the URF spatula, and that your taunt has you cooking up some steaks. It’s a very well made skin overall, but it’s somewhat nerfed by the fact that I prefer my pirates badass. Also because he looks way too similar to Pool Party Graves, and I’ve died a few times by making that mistake.
5. Dreadnova Gangplank
Released: January 12th, 2017 Price: 1350 RP Unfortunately, crime is something that will never truly go away. Fortunately, robot pirates look really cool. In terms of character model design, this skin is pretty up there – as it makes you feel like you just stepped out of Cowboy Bebop. The high-tech armor, the stylized weapons, the eyepatch, it all fits in really well. And the animations aren’t too shabby either! All of your particles have been recolored into blood red, and your barrels have come a long way since the old days. Now fully automized with beeps and twists, they look a lot more threatening. Although it’s worth pointing out that the beeping barrels make it easier for you and for your opponents to keep track of their readiness.
4. FPX Gangplank
Released: April 30th, 2020 Price: 1350 RP FPX Gangplank is one of those skins that I thought I would hate, but ended up pleasantly surprised. In terms of theme, it has that same futuristic pirate appeal of the last one – but it’s even more stylized. Especially if you get your hands on the Elite chroma. It just makes you look like such a mysterious badass. The animations are also on the higher end of things here, with the barrels resembling some kind of biochemical weapons of mass destruction. On top of all that, your backing animation confirms that you’re not only a true gamer, but also a power ranger. Again, I did not see this many cool features coming.
3. Special Forces Gangplank
Released: September 12th, 2012 Price: 975 RP I mentioned the realistic approach to Gangplank a few times now. And this is definitely the best skin in that category. There are just so many details that ground this skin in reality and make it one of the best overall. The base model looks like a believable guerrilla warrior. Your Q animation actually has you holding the gun with both hands, like a true soldier would. Your barrels are strapped with actual TNT. And your ult has a helicopter shadow and sound effect, so you know where those bombs are coming from. And to top it all off – your orange is still just an orange.
2. Gangplank the Betrayer
Released: May 5th, 2022 Price: 1350 RP One of the best things Riot can do for a skin is to tie it into an event or the game’s lore. And this skin came as a spawn from the Ruined King. Just off that alone, many players can easily call this the best GP skin in the game. But even if you’ve never played the Ruined King, this skin is still a strong contender. First off, the character model is just amazing. It’s rather minimalistic (as far as GP skins usually go), but the aesthetic is immaculate. You both look and feel like some powerful warrior that has been terrorizing the seas for centuries. And the glowing tattoos are just icing on the cake. Plus, the particle game is pretty strong as well. In fact, this skin might arguably have the most stunning passive proc particles I’ve ever seen. And if you’re still not hooked – just look at those chromas. Each one basically reinvents your entire image from the bottom up! Overall, if you like lore-based skins – this is a must-buy. And if you couldn’t care less about the lore – you should probably still get this skin.
1. Spooky Gangplank
Released: March 16th, 2010 Price: 520 RP I initially wanted to put Gangplank the Betrayer at number one – as it is such a good, detailed skin. But then I remembered the true meaning of pirate Christmas: running around like an idiot and killing everyone. Spooky Gangplank has been a staple skin for quite some time, because it feels like the most appropriate skin to use while blasting sea shanties and missing CS. The character model is really cool, and your barrels have a nice ghost effect. That doesn’t sound like much because it isn’t all that much… And yet Gangplank is the most fun to play with this bad boy on. The heart wants what it wants. Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
