How to Play Garen in League of Legends

Last Updated: April 26, 2020

Garen is a popular League of Legends champion for the Bronze and Silver Leagues and is, in the current patch of the game, very over-powered due to his lack of mana costs. He typically goes top but can go to other roles. So sit back and learn how to carry your team as Garen!

Steps

1
Get to know Garen. Garen is manaless, with health regen and lots of attack damage. This allows him to attack and use all of his spells, retreat for 20 seconds, then come back with full health and all spells up. Garen's passive allows lots of health regen while out of combat for 8 seconds. This allows you to dive the enemy, then when you get out, after 8 seconds you start to regenerate all the health you lost. The enemy champion will be wondering how you're full health; since he just put a beating on you.
2
Use Garen's Q to allow him to leap in the air, striking an opponent for extra damage and silencing them. This is crucial to land first in fights, as the silence will keep your opponent from casting spells, while you beat on him mercilessly.

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3
Use Garen's W to get him extra armor. A good strategy is before a fight.
4
Use Garen's E to make him spin in a circle, damaging anyone his blade touches. If you're attacking only one enemy, it will add 33% more damage. This is usually used right after your Q, allowing lots of damage while the silence is still active.
5
Use Garen's Ult last. It is just beautiful. A huge sword coming shooting down out of the sky, damaging the enemy for about 250 dmg. It will usually execute the enemy.
6
Use Garen's Summoner Spells. Garen usually takes Flash + Teleport. Flash allows you to go forward to land those Qs, and teleport to get to lane faster. Ignite/Exhaust is an option, but teleport/flash is recommended.
7
Get the right items. Garen usually starts with Doran's Shield and a couple of health potions. The shield is good for health and armor and is my most recommended starting item. Don't buy too many health potions, however, because you have your passive to give you health regen.
8
Play smart. Use the reliable combo, Q --> E --> Ult. The Q for silence, the E for lots of damage, and the R to finish them off.
9
Farm constantly. Garen relies on the ability to do a huge amount of damage, take lots of damage, and get out in time to heal it all back. Farm to get lots of gold, to buy items. You want to build a Black Cleaver, a Spirit Visage, Sunfire Cape, and/or Warmog's Armor. This will give you a good combination of damage, health, health regen, armor, and magic resist.
- Infinity Edges are a nice bit damage but only buy one.
- There are several YouTube videos on 5 Infinity Edge Garen; while it is a huge amount of damage, he got mowed down easily due to lack of health. Stick to the normal mix.
10
Use his Teleport Spell wisely. Teleport should not only be used to get to lane faster, but also to teleport to other lanes. Teleport spell can be used to get to Jungle objectives, like Baron or Dragon, teleport into team fights, or surprise the enemy from their backlines. For more about teleporting, see the guide How to Play Top Lane in League of Legends.
11
Play aggressively. Garen is a very aggressive top laner, due to his huge amount of damage and his tackiness. Also, since he is maneless he is an endless threat to the enemy. Q your lane opponent whenever you can, but be careful. He may surprise you after the silence wears off with a barrage of spells.
12
Don't be scared to dive that turret. Especially if you have build armor/health and use W, you can soak up about 4-6 turret shots before your health really starts dropping. Usually, your combo will finish off the enemy laner before you die from turret shots or him.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I select Garen when he's taken?

Banana Head

Top Answerer

If Garen is taken or banned, then choose another toplane champion. You can't pick a banned champion, or the same champion that another teammates has chosen.
Question

Why is Garen a brain-dead champion?

Banana Head

Top Answerer

Garen's simplistic kit makes him one of easier to play, and yes, more brain-dead champions in the game. He's designed to be a champion that beginning players can play to learn the game, since his cost is low and his abilities simple. He just doesn't require that much skill, but he isn't the best top-lane champion.
Question

Why is Fossil in my games?

Banana Head

Top Answerer

He is a monkey. I would suggest that you introduce him to Wukong, that seems like a good champion for him to play.

Warnings

Do not take heal. Garen's passive will let you regen health easily, plus some items you might build, like spirit visage and warmogs' heart; will give you bigger health and health regen. Heal is just not a good option on Garen.

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