Garen, empowered by the “Hero Augment,” has emerged as a surprisingly powerful carry option in the current Teamfight Tactics (TFT) meta. This article delves into Garen’s newfound strength, explores how to build a winning composition around him, and details the best equipment and Augments to optimize his performance.
Garen’s Rise to Prominence in Patch 14.10
Throughout TFT Season 11, Garen primarily functioned as a frontline tank in the early game for Chrono compositions. However, Patch 14.10 brought significant buffs to both Garen’s base stats and the Vanguard synergy. This buff has propelled the Garen-Hero Augment playstyle into the forefront of the current meta.
The key lies in the Hero Augment itself. Instead of granting a shield, it allows Garen to stack maximum health. With his mana cost reduced by 10, Garen accumulates health stacks at a much faster rate. Additionally, the Vanguard buffs to damage reduction (both at the start of combat and as a base stat) increase Garen’s overall survivability. This extended lifespan allows him to stack more health, ultimately transforming him into an unstoppable force.
From an objective standpoint, the current TFT meta leans towards 4-cost carries like Ashe, Kai’Sa, Sylas, and Lee Sin. These champions remain popular picks amongst players. This focus on higher-cost carries creates a scenario where Garen, a 1-cost unit, goes largely uncontested, allowing for easy upgrades to 3-star status. As a champion with stacking potential like Garen, especially when empowered by the Hero Augment, this ease of acquisition translates into immense power in the late game.
Building a Garen-Hero Augment Composition
The foundation of this composition hinges on acquiring the Hero Augment. During the first three PvE rounds, prioritize purchasing and upgrading Garen as quickly as possible. Additionally, incorporating units like Jax, Zyra, and Sivir to achieve the 2-Vanguard, 3-Chrono synergy is crucial for maintaining health in the early game.
Similar to other 1-cost carry strategies, refrain from purchasing experience to maximize your chances of rolling Garen from the shop. Once you’ve achieved a 3-star Garen, focus on leveling up and reaching the 4-Vanguard synergy by the mid-game. This bolstering of Garen’s defenses allows him to weather fights effectively and contribute more damage.
The late game objective with this composition is to preserve resources to reach level 9 as soon as possible. Since a 6-Vanguard composition lacks substantial damage output in the late game, it’s vital to integrate 5-cost champions like Irelia or Lissandra. These inclusions are critical for securing top placements with this team.
Optimal Equipment and Augments for Garen
For the optimal equipment on Garen, consider Bloodthirster, Titanic Force, and Seraph’s Embrace. This combination promotes survivability, defensive stats, and a significant boost to his maximum health with each stack. With regards to Augments, alongside the Hero Augment, options like Spirit of the Warden, Death’s Defiance, or Ascension are excellent choices that significantly enhance Garen’s performance.
By following these strategies, you can leverage Garen’s newfound strength and navigate the current TFT meta with a powerful and surprisingly effective composition. Remember, the key lies in securing the Hero Augment early and prioritizing Garen’s upgrades while maintaining a healthy economy to reach the late game with powerful 5-cost additions. With careful planning and execution, Garen can lead you to victory in Teamfight Tactics Season 11.
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