The Easiest Top laner to play
If you're just starting out in Top lane, want to focus on the fundamentals or a fresh new League of Legends player this is the BEST CHAMPION you can play. Here I will cover all the basics for his runes, items and overall build.
Just because Garen is one of the easiest champions in the game doesn't mean he is boring, I guarantee you will have a lot of fun playing this champion. An easy pick lets you focus a lot more on the fundamentals so you can become a better player much faster.
Summoner Spells
Rune Options
There's 2 possible rune setups you can take. They're both good and completely viable, which one you take depends entirely on the matchup.
Spell leveling and level 1 options
Starting Items
Early Game as Garen
Garen is not a strong laner by any means, most champions just beat you in every regard. Because of this, you are looking to go even; focus mostly on getting as much CS as possible and not dying since your #1 goal is to not fall behind. Be smart with your wave management, take turret platings, proxy waves; there's a lot of tools at your disposal.
Outside lane you will do better than 90% of champions, that's why you want to get to that stage without a hiccup. The more items you have as Garen the faster you move, faster you farm and the bigger problem for the enemy you become. Get your first item ASAP to start taking all the map's resources.
First item
Core Items
Tips & Tricks
Here are a handful of things to keep in mind when playing Garen:
- Your Q cleanses slows, meaning whenever you press it whatever spell was slowing you will be removed instantly (even debuffs like Nasus W - WIther).
- Because of the healing from your Passive + Doran's Shield you can look to take even or losing trades, AFK (avoid taking damage) for a few seconds and heal back up, making you win the trade in the long run.
- Your Q is an Auto Attack cancel, meaning if you cast a Basic Attack and press Q as soon as the damage lands, you will use the empowered auto right away without having to wait for the animation to end.
- You can actually cast your Q while spinning with your E, giving you extra movement speed or removing slows as mentioned before without having to stop spinning.
- With Stridebreaker you can actually use the active during animations or attacks such as your Q empowered auto or while spinning during E.
In the following video I cover a lot more gameplay aspects. Come watch me play Garen in Low Elo while explaining EVERYTHING you need to do in order to climb!