UpMatched Garen vs Yorick Matchup Guide
Garen
Top Lane Fighter
The Might of Demacia - Tanky bruiser with strong sustain
Yorick
Top Lane Split-Push Juggernaut
Split-push juggernaut with ghoul pressure and Maiden
Champ Select Cheat Sheet — Garen vs Yorick
Stridebreaker
Plated Steelcaps
Sterak's Gage
Executioner's Calling (800g)Matchup Dynamics
How This Matchup Works
Bait Yorick 
Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. (~12s) or 
Dark ProcessionW – Dark ProcessionYorick summons a destructible wall at target location that will block enemy movement. before committing; win with ≤2.5s Q>E trades and execute at ~25–30% HP. Pivot at level 3 (full kit) and level 6 (ultimates).
Early Game (1-5)
Skill Matchup - Punish after Yorick 
Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. (~7s) or Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. (~12s) is used; hold wave 6–8 minions from your tower at 3:00; ward river 2:30 and tri 3:30.
Mid Game (6-11)
Yorick Favored - Complete StridebreakerStridebreaker40 Attack Damage25% Attack Speed450 HealthCleaveAttacks deal physical damage to nearby enemies.Breaking ShockwaveDeal physical damage and Slow nearby enemies by 35%.Gain 35% decaying Move Speed per ch... (3300g) by 12:00; trade ≤2.5s after Yorick key CD; hover Herald at 8–10:00 and collapse when Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. on cooldown.
Late Game (12+)
Yorick Favored - Group 5v5; avoid long side-lane duels; 
markMarkThrow a snowball in a straight line at your enemies. If it hits an enemy, they become marked, granting True Sight, and your champion can quickly travel to the marked target as a follow up. Yorick flanks; force fights on vision after 
Eulogy of the IslesR – Eulogy of the IslesYorick summons the Maiden of the Mist that causes Yorick's attacks against the Maiden's target to deal bonus damage. The Maiden will also automatically raise Walkers from dead enemies. is used or on cooldown.
Key Interactions
- Dodge Yorick Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets.: Play outside angle; when Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. (~12s) is down, Q –
Decisive StrikeQ – Decisive StrikeGaren gains a burst of Move Speed, breaking free of all slows affecting him. His next attack strikes a vital area of his foe, dealing bonus damage and silencing them. > E – 
JudgmentE – JudgmentGaren rapidly spins his sword around his body, dealing physical damage to nearby enemies. for ≤2.5s then exit. - Punish Yorick Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug.: Trade after Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. (~7s) used on wave; step inside/outside required zone to deny value; re-engage on its cooldown.
- Hold W for burst CC: Activate W –
CourageW – CourageGaren passively increases his Armor and Magic Resist by killing enemies. as Yorick engages with Dark ProcessionW – Dark ProcessionYorick summons a destructible wall at target location that will block enemy movement. or R; tenacity + damage cut survives initial burst. - Execute Window: After 2–3 E ticks, press R –
Demacian JusticeR – Demacian JusticeGaren calls upon the might of Demacia to attempt to execute an enemy champion. at ~25–30% HP; confirm kill when 
FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. is down (300s).
Garen
Strengths
- Q – Decisive StrikeQ – Decisive StrikeGaren gains a burst of Move Speed, breaking free of all slows affecting him. His next attack strikes a vital area of his foe, dealing bonus damage and silencing them. silence prevents casts for ~1.5s; denies many engages
- E – JudgmentE – JudgmentGaren rapidly spins his sword around his body, dealing physical damage to nearby enemies. deals non-attack damage; good into dodge/blind windows
- W – CourageW – CourageGaren passively increases his Armor and Magic Resist by killing enemies. damage reduction + tenacity flips burst windows
Weaknesses
- No dash; vulnerable in long lane to pulls or hard CC
- Struggles in >4s trades vs stacking or sustain kits
- Limited poke to break shields before engage
Yorick
Strengths
- Threat from Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. or equivalent engage; punishes missteps
- Item spikes enable extended fights vs Garen's short-trade pattern
- Wave control tools to set cheater recalls or dives
Weaknesses
- Cooldown reliant; punishable when key ability on CD
- Predictable wind-ups allow Q silence start to interrupt
- Lacks sustain if denied wave access
Power Curve Comparison EXPERIMENTAL
Power Curve Visualization
Win Conditions
Garen's Win Condition
- Freeze 5–6 minions near tower at 3:30–4:30; deny last-hits after opponent key cooldown is used; ping jungle for dive on crash
- Complete boots (1100g) before first mythic fights; take ≤2.5s trades around Q cooldown; exit with movement speed
- Group for 5v5 at 2-items; flank from fog; silence carry then execute with R
Yorick's Win Condition
- Fight on cannon waves; use Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. to start when jungle nearby; convert to plates
- Force extended trades when Yorick first mythic completes; avoid short windows after Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. is down
- Split-push if stronger in side; draw TP then start objective on opposite side
Laning Phase Guide
| Level/Phase | Garen | Yorick |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Start Q – Decisive StrikeQ – Decisive StrikeGaren gains a burst of Move Speed, breaking free of all slows affecting him. His next attack strikes a vital area of his foe, dealing bonus damage and silencing them.; last-hit only; trade after Yorick Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. used; hold wave 6–8 from tower; ward river 2:30; all-in only if HP>60% and jungle top |
Start Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug.; poke through wave; avoid trading when Garen Q up; ward tri/river 2:30; crash 2nd or 3rd wave for tempo |
| Level 2 | Take E – JudgmentE – JudgmentGaren rapidly spins his sword around his body, dealing physical damage to nearby enemies.; Q>auto reset>E 1–2s then exit; keep freeze; control ward 3:30; punish Yorick Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. miss (~12s) |
Take Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets.; look for brief trade; back off when silenced by Q – Decisive StrikeQ – Decisive StrikeGaren gains a burst of Move Speed, breaking free of all slows affecting him. His next attack strikes a vital area of his foe, dealing bonus damage and silencing them.; track jungle |
| Level 3 | Take W – CourageW – CourageGaren passively increases his Armor and Magic Resist by killing enemies.; fight ≤2.5s after Yorick Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug.; ping jungler; cheater recall if you crash wave-3 safely |
Take third ability; threaten full combo; fight on stacked wave; respect W – CourageW – CourageGaren passively increases his Armor and Magic Resist by killing enemies. damage cut |
| Level 4-5 | Buy Cloth/Ruby; maintain short trades;  deep wardDeep WardYour wards in the enemy jungle are Deep, gaining Health and Duration.Level 9: Wards in the river are also Deep. 4:00; track FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. 300s |
Buy components; hold wave outside tower; call jungle for dive with wave |
| Level 4-5 | Thin wave to keep short lane; Q to disengage slows; match roam timers with pings | Trim wave then set up for level 6; ward deep 5:00; keep key cooldown for disengage |
| Level 6 | Unlock R – Demacian JusticeR – Demacian JusticeGaren calls upon the might of Demacia to attempt to execute an enemy champion.; trade Q>E 2–3 ticks>R at ~25–30% HP; pop W as enemy R cast starts |
Use Eulogy of the IslesR – Eulogy of the IslesYorick summons the Maiden of the Mist that causes Yorick's attacks against the Maiden's target to deal bonus damage. The Maiden will also automatically raise Walkers from dead enemies. proactively on push; force extended trades; avoid executing range by stepping out before Garen R |
| Level 7-8 | Push on vision; complete StridebreakerStridebreaker40 Attack Damage25% Attack Speed450 HealthCleaveAttacks deal physical damage to nearby enemies.Breaking ShockwaveDeal physical damage and Slow nearby enemies by 35%.Gain 35% decaying Move Speed per ch... path; Q>Stride>E 2s then out; hover Herald 8:00 |
Fight with first mythic or  SheenSheenGrants a bonus to next attack after spell cast spike; punish cooldown misuse; set up Herald |
| Level 7-8 | Rotate for plates if Yorick recalls; freeze if behind; keep trades on cooldown windows | Keep side brush control; deny freezes by slow-pushing; track TP (360s) |
| Level 9 | Max E; shove→ward deep; look mid on crash; side lane only with vision | Max primary trading spell; look for long trades; pull Garen to long lane |
Power Spikes
Level Spikes
| Garen | Yorick | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Description | Level | Description |
| 2 | Minor Q+E unlocked: short trades after Yorick Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. used |
3 | Major Full combo online; look to trade when Garen Q down |
| 6 | Major R execute enables dive turns at ~25–30% HP | 6 | Critical Eulogy of the IslesR – Eulogy of the IslesYorick summons the Maiden of the Mist that causes Yorick's attacks against the Maiden's target to deal bonus damage. The Maiden will also automatically raise Walkers from dead enemies. changes skirmish outcomes |
| 9 | Major E max increases DPS in ≤3s trades | 11 | Minor Rank 2 ultimate/items accelerate extended fights |
| 11 | Minor R2 raises execute threshold in skirmishes | ||
Item Spikes
| Garen | Yorick | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Item | Description | Item | Description |
| Plated SteelcapsPlated SteelcapsEnhances Move Speed and reduces incoming basic attack damage (1100g) |
Cuts auto-attack damage in all-ins | SheenSheenGrants a bonus to next attack after spell cast/ PhagePhageAttacks and kills give a small burst of speed component (700-1100g) |
On-hit or HP+MS improves stick in trades |
| StridebreakerStridebreaker40 Attack Damage25% Attack Speed450 HealthCleaveAttacks deal physical damage to nearby enemies.Breaking ShockwaveDeal physical damage and Slow nearby enemies by 35%.Gain 35% decaying Move Speed per ch... (3300g) |
Active slow lets you stick then exit on timers | Core mythic (3100-3333g) | First mythic defines fight length and stickiness |
| Executioner's CallingExecutioner's CallingOvercomes enemies with high health gain (800g) |
Reduces sustain from abilities/items |  Death's DanceDeath's Dance60 Attack Damage50 Armor15 Ability HasteIgnore PainA percentage of damage taken is dealt to you over 3 seconds instead.DefyWhen a champion that you damaged within 3 seconds dies, cleanse Ignore Pain's.../ Spirit VisageSpirit VisageIncreases Health and healing effects (2900-3300g) |
Sustain and damage delay in extended fights |
| Sterak's GageSterak's GageShields against large bursts of damage (3100g) |
Shield buffers burst to finish executes | ||
Best Build for Garen
Starting Items
Doran's ShieldDoran's ShieldGood defensive starting item (400g) + 
Health PotionHealth PotionConsume to restore Health over time
Core Items
StridebreakerStridebreaker40 Attack Damage25% Attack Speed450 HealthCleaveAttacks deal physical damage to nearby enemies.Breaking ShockwaveDeal physical damage and Slow nearby enemies by 35%.Gain 35% decaying Move Speed per ch... → Plated SteelcapsPlated SteelcapsEnhances Move Speed and reduces incoming basic attack damage → Sterak's GageSterak's GageShields against large bursts of damage
Runes
Primary: 
ConquerorConquerorGain stacks of adaptive force when attacking enemy champions. After reaching 12 stacks, heal for a portion of damage you deal to champions., 
TriumphTriumphTakedowns restore 5% of your missing health and grant an additional 20 gold., Legend: Tenacity, 
Last StandLast StandDeal more damage to champions while you are low on health.
Secondary: 
Bone PlatingBone PlatingAfter taking damage from an enemy champion, the next 3 spells or attacks you receive from them deal 30-60 (based on level) less damage.Duration: 1.5sCooldown: 55s, 
UnflinchingUnflinchingGain Armor and Magic Resist when receiving crowd control.
Summoner Spells
FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. + 
GhostGhostGain Move Speed and ignore unit collision for the duration.
Priority Build Path
Stridebreaker
Active slow to start/stop ≤3s trades
Plated Steelcaps
Reduces AA-focused damage patterns
Sterak's Gage
Survive burst to reach execute
Death's Dance
Damage delay vs reset/extended fights
Situational Adjustments
- Spirit VisageSpirit VisageIncreases Health and healing effects: Heavy AP or to amplify passive regen
ThornmailThornmail150 Health75 ArmorThornsWhen struck by an Attack, deal magic damage to the attacker and apply 40% Wounds for 3 seconds if they are a champion.: High enemy healing and on-hit comps
Black CleaverBlack CleaverDealing physical damage to enemy champions reduces their Armor: Need armor shred vs tanks
Key Patterns
Lethal Combos
Ghost > Q – Decisive Strike > Stridebreaker > E – Judgment (2–3 ticks) > R – Demacian Justice
FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. down or silence applied
Mourning Mist engage > Dark Procession / key CC > Last Rites damage > R finish
Trading Combos
Q – Decisive Strike > auto reset > E – Judgment (1–2s) > walk out
Last Rites poke > step back; repeat on ~7s
Look for long lanes to extendLethal Thresholds
- Garen Kill Range: R executes ~25–30% vs base MR after 2–3 E ticks; higher if enemy has shields
- Yorick Kill Range: Kill range varies with mythic; aim for 35–45% after CC chain
- Critical Levels: 3 (full kit), 6 (ult), 9 (Garen E max), 11 (R2 or item spike)
Level by Level Game Plan
| Level | Primary Goal | Lane Position | Trading Opportunities | Kill Windows | Setup Opportunities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Control first three waves | Hold 6–8 minions from tower | Only after Yorick Last RitesQ – Last RitesYorick deals bonus damage on his next attack and heals himself. If the target is a champion or large monster or if the target dies, a grave will be dug. used |
Low; needs HP<60% + jungle | Ward river 2:30; plan wave-3 crash |
| 2 | Enable short trades | Maintain freeze | Q>auto>E 1–2s then out | If enemy key E missed | Control ward 3:30 |
| 3 | Track engages | Short lane | After Yorick Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. used on wave |
GhostGhostGain Move Speed and ignore unit collision for the duration./ IgniteIgniteDeals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration. up + HP lead |
Ping jungler for punish |
| 4-5 | Buy boots/anti- healHealRestores Health and grants Move Speed to you and target allied champion. |
Keep wave near tower | ≤2.5s windows | IgniteIgniteDeals true damage over time to target enemy champion and reduces healing effects on them for the duration. up into low HP |
Deep wardDeep WardYour wards in the enemy jungle are Deep, gaining Health and Duration.Level 9: Wards in the river are also Deep. 4:30 |
| 6 | Play around executes | Fight on vision | Q>E 2–3 ticks > R | ~25–30% HP | Shove then reset |
| 7-8 | Mythic timing | Push on vision | Q>Stride>E | Post-miss on enemy engage | Herald control 8–10 |
| 9+ | Transition to sides | Side→group | Pick-only fights | After enemy FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. used |
Set vision nets |
| Mid Game (11-16) | Skirmish then group | Hover river/herald | Catch on cooldown timers | Stride+GhostGhostGain Move Speed and ignore unit collision for the duration. chase |
Objective timers 12/17 |
| Late Game (16+) | Backline access | Flank through fog | Burst then exit | Silence carry then R | Baron/Elder setup with pinks |
First Back Goals
Ideal Back (1100–1400g)
- Executioner's CallingExecutioner's CallingOvercomes enemies with high health gain (800g)
- Boots (300g)
- Control Ward (75g)
Crash 3rd/cannon wave ≈2:15–5:30 after winning trade
Standard Back (700–900g)
- Ruby Crystal (400g)
- Boots (300g)
Reset on slow-push when wave bounces to you
Teamfight Tips
| Aspect | Garen | Yorick |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Role | Flank/cleanup bruiser | Depends on kit—frontline/duelist |
| Target Priority | ADC without FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. APC channeling low-HP divers |
Closest melee then backline |
| Objective Control | Force picks before Herald/Drake Zone jungle entrances |
Start on vision advantage Turn with primary CC |
| Positioning | Flank via jungle entrances Avoid front pull cones/chokes |
Control choke points Peel or dive per comp |
| Other Tips | Silence before FlashFlashTeleports you a short distance toward your cursor. to secure R Hold W for true-burst windows |
Save Mourning MistE – Mourning MistYorick throws a globule of Black Mist that reduces armor, damages, slows and marks enemies. Summoned units gain move speed when moving towards marked targets. for Garen Q engage Fight on cannon waves for stats |
