Talk:Garen/@comment-83.196.94.64-20121207013649/@comment-68.44.212.58-20121207052903

I've actually been using the same build (somewhat) for a while now, although instead of mercs i just go ionian boots, just personal preference. Also, my starting item is usually Doran's Shield, Garen has such ridiculously high base damage on his Q+E that getting anything else as a starter item just hinders your potential because you're going to need some health and armor to push them out of lane; also, it's sort of psychologially damaging to see a garen with Doran's Shield--it makes them think "shit. he's gonna be here for a while."

My first trip to base I get a Brutalizer (never leave lane without enough gold for it) and then my next items are boots/ Aegis.

My fourth item is my first situational item. If I'm doing super well and the enemy team is squishy I make headway for an Infinity Edge. If I WAS doing well and somehow fell off slightly (i.e. jungler babysits my lane) I start going for a Frozen Mallet for an AD team or Maw of Malmortius for an AP team--keep in mind that  this sort of situation is mostly YOUR fault for not paying attention well enough, although it happens to the best of us sometimes. If the enemy team is AD Heavy and you need to serve as the tank, get a Randuin's, AP Heavy, Force of Nature (this item should be included in one of your 6 slots almost always because it synergizes very well with Garen).

I tend to ignore Last Whisper, although it does provide a nice damage boost for Garen, because Garen is all about being able to soak up hits and dish out more damage than he takes (remember your W, use it in the beginning of teamfights, that thing is invaluable); that being said, Last Whisper is an all-in offensive item when what Garen NEEDS is beefiness. Black Cleaver/Frozen Mallet/Maw of Malmortius/Infinity Edge are the only offensive items Garen needs to do great amounts of damage, and you should only be getting 2 offensive items max.

I've been playing Garen with incredible success lately, I haven't lost my lane once and I always go positve, Garen's strength lies in the fact that he CAN carry your team, not  always through sheer damage, but being the off-tank that can be a damage sponge while the rest of your team provides the substantial damage.