Master Yi's damage is low before level 5, so Gragas tanks auto-attack trades with Drunken Rage (W) damage reduction and cuts off his re-engage after Alpha Strike (Q) with Body Slam (E) plus Explosive Cask (R) knockback.

Before level 5 Evelynn has weak clear and damage, so Gragas ignores her Hate Spike (Q) poke with Drunken Rage (W) sustain and bursts her down first with Barrel Roll (Q) plus Body Slam (E).

Amumu's early dueling damage is low, so Gragas endures Bandage Toss (Q) with Drunken Rage (W) sustain and stays ahead in auto trades with Barrel Roll (Q) slow.

Before level 5 Shyvana lacks kill pressure without her Dragon's Descent (R) transform, so Gragas wins invades and duels with Barrel Roll (Q) slow and Drunken Rage (W) sustain.

Lee Sin has strong level 1-3 pressure and dodges Body Slam (E) with Sonic Wave / Resonating Strike (Q) and Safeguard / Iron Will (W) ward jumps, staying ahead in the early duel.

Xin Zhao counters Gragas's Body Slam (E) engage with the third hit knock-up of Three Talon Strike (Q), and overwhelms the early duel with sustained DPS plus Audacious Charge (E) gap-close and Wind Becomes Lightning (W).

Olaf becomes CC-immune with Ragnarok (R), nullifying Explosive Cask (R) and Body Slam (E) knockback, and wins extended fights with Undertow (Q) slow plus Reckless Swing (E) true damage and lifesteal.

Warwick out-sustains Gragas's Drunken Rage (W) in extended fights with Eternal Hunger (P) lifesteal and the suppression chase of Infinite Duress (R).