Start with Garen top, last-hit safely and use short trades rather than chasing every opponent. For patch 26.21, Conqueror is one available starting rune choice in current build data; use the client recommendations for the remaining runes and items, and adjust as the match develops.
Start with Garen top, last-hit safely and use short trades rather than chasing every opponent. For patch 26.21, Conqueror is one available starting rune choice in current build data; use the client recommendations for the remaining runes and items, and adjust as the match develops.
Know your tools
| Tool | Job |
|---|---|
| Passive: Perseverance | Recover health after avoiding recent damage; step back between trades. |
| Q: Decisive Strike | Move in and empower the next attack to silence; save it when you need to disengage. |
| W: Courage | Defensive tool for incoming damage; activate before the dangerous hit rather than afterwards. |
| E: Judgment | Spin for damage around you; watch the wave as it can also damage minions. |
| R: Demacian Justice | Execute damage increases with the target's missing health; check their remaining health rather than assuming a kill. |
Pressing Q removes current slows and empowers the next basic attack, which must hit to silence. It does not make you immune to a slow applied again afterward. (source)
A first lane plan
- Focus on last hits and watch the enemy jungler's possible approach. Don't push far without vision just because E clears minions.
- When the opponent steps too close, use Q to approach and trade, then E if you can remain safe. Keep W for the enemy's response; retreat before committing into a larger wave or a second enemy.
- Let your passive recover health after backing away. If a trade went badly, don't immediately repeat it at low health.
- At level 6 and after unlocking R, look for a low-health opponent only when you can reach them safely. A shield, heal or interruption can change the outcome.
Runes and items
Conqueror is a plausible starting keystone for fights lasting long enough to stack it; the cited 26.21 sample is not a guarantee for your rank or matchup. The client can suggest the rest. Build from current recommended items, then inspect enemy damage: buy appropriate armor or magic resistance if survival is the problem, and look at healing reduction only when your champion can apply it effectively. Compare current tooltips instead of treating a fixed six-item order as universal.
This guide is for PC Summoner's Rift, not Wild Rift. Patch data and recommendations can change; use the in-game skill descriptions and shop for your current version.
Sources: Riot Garen abilities · League Wiki Garen · Patch 26.21 rune data.