Garen vs Illaoi Top Matchup

Garen Top wins 52.6% of 2,830 Low Elo games against Illaoi Top, +1.9 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

How to play as Garen

Keep minions between you and Illaoi to make Test of Spirit(E) harder to land; if she misses it, trade before the ability comes back.

When Illaoi casts Leap of Faith(R), leave its tentacle zone and re-engage after it ends instead of trying to duel inside it.

Test of Spirit(E) is blocked by minions, so keeping the wave between Garen and Illaoi can cover him from her pull while he farms.

Hold Test of Spirit(E) until Garen steps out from behind his minions to last-hit; a hit forces him to respect your follow-up tentacles.

These notes come from r/GarenMains.