Talk:Irelia/@comment-4770026-20120209011314/@comment-4794791-20120209012031

I usually build first to counter my lane opponent, then replace some items when teamfights begin (if required).

For example, if they have Veigar, Taric, and Rammus, that's a crapload of stuns and disables but if you're facing a Riven or Garen in top lane, you itemise to counter her/him(which would be tabi).

So to summarize, you would get tabi to counter Garen's physical but if the situation requires it you may need to replace it with Mercs later on.