[2.3] Garen Guide - Garen ~ The Might of Demacia

Starting Items

• Long Sword to help you last hit which you will later build into Black Cleaver (BC).
• Cloth Armor against hard ad match ups like Zed
• Ruby Crystal against hard ap match ups like Akali

First Recall

• Phage is the first item you buy. It gives you health, attack damage and movement speed which is perfect for Garen
• Kindlegem is the second item, which you only buy for BC.
• Boots of Speed is a recommended purchase either before or after you finish off BC to get you that extra mobility

Bruiser Build (Tank)

• Black Cleaver is standard first item on Garen as it gives AD Penetration, and AD alongside some health and movement speed when dealing damage to opponents. This is very useful because you will be building into a bruiser which needs AD and health. On top of that, the passive makes it easier for you to stay on top of enemies with your Judgment which you will use most of the time during trades.
• Glorious Enchant is used for engaging team fights. You use it along with Decisive Strike to gain massive movement speed, and then slow everyone around you when you hit someone. Very useful. 
• [Sterk's Gage] gives you a lot more sustain, and a shield which the enemies might not expect. Lets you live longer, and escape team fights if you get bursted by an assassin.
• Dead Man's Plate is where you power spike. It gives you even MORE movement speed, armour and health. By now you should be flying across the map like an unstoppable killing machine.
• Randuin's Omen is bought to let you survive longer in team fights. ADCs will probably hit you a lot, and so will other bruisers in the top/jungle. This item makes them all weaker
• Spirit Visage as a final item is bought to give you some magic resistance as most of your items grant you armour. It also heals you more with the help of your [garen:passve]

Bruiser Build (AD)

• Black Cleaver is standard first item on Garen as it gives AD Penetration, and AD alongside some health and movement speed when dealing damage to opponents. This is very useful because you will be building into a bruiser which needs AD and health. On top of that, the passive makes it easier for you to stay on top of enemies with your Judgment which you will use most of the time during trades.
• Youmuu's Ghostblade gives you AD, Penetration and Movement Speed which is super useful for engaging fights, returning to lane and roaming. This is your first early power spike.
• Glorious Enchant is used for engaging team fights. You use it along with Decisive Strike to gain massive movement speed, and then slow everyone around you when you hit someone. Very useful. 
• Death's Dance is bought for more sustain, which will allow you to heal with Judgment and also transform all damage into a 3 second bleed which will give you time to gain health back with lifesteal, honey fruit or your Courage
• [Sterk's Gage] gives you a lot more sustain, and a shield which the enemies might not expect. Lets you live longer, and escape team fights if you get bursted by an assassin.
• Dead Man's Plate is where you power spike. It gives you even MORE movement speed, armour and health. By now you should be flying across the map like an unstoppable killing machine.

Flexible Items

• Trinity Force can be bought alongside Black Cleaver if you are a very experienced Garen player. It gives you a little bit of everything and empowers your Decisive Strike which can turn a couple of fights
• [sunfire cape] is bought as first item if you want to go 100% full juggernaut Garen
• Thornmail is taken if the enemy team has full AD, meaning no mages or champions with ability power
• [warmong's armor] can be taken if you are in a tough lane. It will let you regenerate health when you are out of combat and have over 2,500 maximum health, which will save you time, gold and experience by letting you stay in lane instead of recalling and running back. Also useful in long team battles where you can run out, regenerate and run back in.