Expect a mid-lane juggernaut vs control mage dynamic where Garen must manage short trades and avoid extended poke damage.
Focus on denying Taliyah free farm by punishing her cooldowns and avoiding her (E) anti-dash zone to maintain lane presence.
Trading pattern
Initiate short trades by using (Q) to silence and follow with (E), then disengage before Taliyah can retaliate with (W) or (E).
Punish Taliyah when she wastes (W) or (E) by stepping forward for quick trades while her main defensive tools are down.
Avoid committing to trades if (Q) is baited or if passive health regeneration hasn't reset yet to prevent losing extended fights.
Danger windows
Beware of (W) displacement combined with (E) slow which punishes predictable dashes or forward movement.
Avoid extended trades when (W) and (E) are available, as she can shove or zone you through her terrain control.
Be cautious of Taliyah's level 6 roam potential; hard push the wave and take plates when she leaves to minimize lost farm.
Early game
Use early waves to hold a stable wave near your side, enabling short (Q)+(E) trades and passive health recovery.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 when Taliyah's poke and displacement are stronger.
Respect (W)+(E) combo threat by not dashing predictably or overextending without vision.
Power spikes
Level 6 unlocks (R) execute, turning any health advantage into kill pressure; use short trades to chip and finish low targets.
First bruiser/tank item spike increases durability in trades; repeat controlled trades to build health advantages.
Respect Taliyah's level 6 (R) for map plays and her first mage item spike which improves her poke and wave control, avoiding risky all-ins during these windows.
Win conditions
Use (Q) silence and (E) spin for short trades to chip Taliyah's health, then finish with (R) execute once she's low.
Deny Taliyah free farm by punishing cooldowns and wave states that force her to overextend or waste defensive abilities.
Survive early poke and reach mid-game side-lane durability to leverage Garen's simple all-in and execute power in isolated fights.
Tip: For Garen vs Taliyah, read overview, trading pattern, and danger windows first for a fast Mid lane check.
