Does Garen Ult Ignore Shield? Untangling Demacian Justice in League of Legends
Garen. The Might of Demacia. Spin-to-win champion. Your friend picks him when they say they are filling top lane but just want to unleash the beyblade of justice. A big question arises with his ultimate, Demacian Justice: does it ignore shields? Let’s explore this together.
Understanding Garen’s Ultimate: Demacian Justice – It’s More Than Just a Big Sword
First, let’s clarify what Garen’s ultimate, Demacian Justice, does. It’s not just point-and-click damage. It’s a single-target, execute ability. Garen leaps into the air and brings Judgement crashing down, dealing magic damage. Here’s where it gets interesting.
About the “Villain” mechanic. Garen isn’t a mindless brute, contrary to some salty opponents. He has a sense of Demacian justice. His ultimate marks the enemy champion with the most kills as the “Villain.” Yes, League of Legends has villains now, based on kill count.
Being the Villain has perks for Garen. While you wear your kill-leader crown, Garen’s basic attacks and his E ability, Judgment, deal bonus true damage. Yes, true damage; the damage that makes tanks weep and squishies evaporate. This mechanic gives Garen target priority in chaotic mid-to-late game team fights.
Now back to the question: does Garen ult ignore shields? Not exactly “ignore,” but it cuts through them effectively. Garen’s ult deals magic damage. Shields absorb incoming physical damage. Think of shields as barriers that absorb swords but less effective against magical explosions. So, while a shield absorbs Garen’s ult damage, it won’t be as effective against magical abilities.
Let’s complicate this a bit. If Garen’s ultimate targets the designated Villain, it also deals true damage. True damage bypasses armor and magic resistance. It also ignores shields in terms of mitigation. A shield depletes from true damage, but its protective value is largely nullified. Against the Villain, Garen’s ult becomes an execution tool – shield or no shield.
Garen’s Arsenal: A Quick Tour of His Abilities
To understand Garen’s ultimate better, let’s look at his entire kit. He’s not a one-trick pony, even if his spin feels like it sometimes. Here’s a breakdown of his abilities, Demacian style.
Passive: Perseverance – The Stay-in-Lane-Forever Button
Garen’s passive, Perseverance, makes him a pain to lane against. If he hasn’t taken damage from champions or epic monsters in 8 seconds, he starts regenerating health every five seconds. This scales with level, going from 1.5% to 10.1% of his maximum health every five seconds later on. It’s like having a built-in potion that activates after some time.
This passive allows Garen to shrug off poke and stay in lane for long periods. It encourages a more “measured” trading pattern in lane. Poke him down, and he heals back in the bushes. It can be frustrating, but it’s effective.
There’s more! Garen’s passive grants stackable armor and magic resist for killing minions, monsters, and champions. It rewards him for playing the game. Kill stuff, get tankier. Simple Demacian logic.
Q: Decisive Strike – Silence is Golden, and Speedy
Decisive Strike, Garen’s Q, is versatile. It cleanses slows, so if caught in a tough spot, pop Q and zoom away. It grants bonus movement speed to chase or escape. The empowered auto-attack becomes uncancellable, deals bonus physical damage, and silences the target briefly.
This silence is powerful. It disrupts spellcasters and their abilities, making things miserable for them. You can animation cancel Garen’s Q with Flash for extra distance and surprise plays.
Does Garen E silence? No. His Q silences; his E does not. It’s an easy mix-up when Garen spins like a whirlwind.
E: Judgment (The Spin) – Beyblade, Demacian Edition
Judgment defines Garen for many players. The spin. The whirlwind of steel. Garen spins his sword multiple times dealing physical damage to nearby enemies. It’s his primary damage dealer in lane and team fights against multiple targets.
Fun fact: Garen’s spin scales with attack speed. Building attack speed increases the number of spins and thus his damage output. Only bonus attack speed from items and levels counts; passive attacks do not affect this.
Can Garen spin crit? Yes! With a full crit build, Garen’s spins can critically strike. Picture a beyblade made of crit chance attacking enemies with each turn. It’s a meme-y build but can be effective if pulled off well. Foggedftw2 showcases crit Garen’s spin, one-shotting squishies.
For rune enthusiasts: yes, Garen’s E stacks Conqueror. Conqueror grants adaptive force from hitting enemy champions, stacking to a limit. Garen’s spin hits multiple times, making it efficient at stacking quickly.
W: Courage – Tank Up, Buttercup
Courage, Garen’s W, is his defensive ability making him tankier than before. It grants bonus armor and magic resist for killing units passively. Activating it gives Garen a shield and significant tenacity briefly.
Garen reduces damage from crowd control effects with Tenacity. This makes him difficult to lock down. He can shrug off damage and survive longer than many champions. Does he have a shield? Yes, briefly during his W active. While small, it helps mitigate burst damage and crucial moments.
Matchups Matter: Garen’s Friends and Foes in the Top Lane Arena
No champion stands alone. Garen depends heavily on the matchup. Some champions fear him, while others see him as weak. Let’s examine Garen’s best and worst matchups in the top lane.
Champions Garen Crushes Under His Boot (Figuratively, Mostly)
Garen excels against melee champions without strong poke. He can overwhelm champions relying on sustained damage over bursts. Based on data, he counters:
- K’Sante: Garen’s true damage causes issues for the tanky K’Sante.
- Sylas: Garen’s continuous damage outmatches Sylas effectively.
- Heimerdinger: Though he can poke, Garen’s health regeneration helps him engage.
- Dr. Mundo: Garen typically out-damages Mundo in extended trades.
- Illaoi: Garen dodges tentacles and silences Illaoi during key moments.
Champions That Make Garen Wish He Stayed Home and Polished His Armor
Conversely, Garen faces challenges from champions who kite him or excel in ranged poke. Some tough matchups include:
- Kayle: Once Kayle reaches ranged form, she severely outscales Garen.
- Camille: Camille’s mobility and true damage trouble Garen.
- Kennen: His ranged poke and control frustrate Garen.
- Ryze: Ryze frustrates Garen with scaling and kiting potential.
- Vayne: Vayne’s damage and mobility create problems for melee champions.
Specific Matchup Deep Dives: A Garen vs. X Case Study
Let’s dive deeper into specific matchups:
- Garen vs. Darius: In this matchup, data shows Garen has a win rate around 49.3% against Darius. Darius’s early power and bleed can pressure Garen. Does Garen do better? Not statistically in this case.
- Garen vs. Renekton: Garen holds a favorable match with a 55.6% win rate against Renekton. He can often outscale Renekton and withstand his aggression. Does he beat Renekton? Yes, data suggests.
- Garen vs. Poppy: Garen also finds a favorable matchup against Poppy, boasting a win rate of about 53.7%. He tends to out-damage her in skirmishes. Is he better? Statistically, yes.
- Garen vs. Teemo: Teemo dominates, winning 56.07% of the time against Garen. His poke and blinds create issues for Garen. Who wins? Mostly Teemo.
- Garen vs. Viktor: Viktor wins approximately 51.33% of the time. His poke and scaling are tough for Garen. Is Viktor better? In this matchup, yes.
Garen’s Identity: More Than Just a Spin-to-Win Machine
So, who is Garen? Beyond spinning and wielding a sword, what’s his role in League of Legends?
Role: Bruiser/Tanky Fighter – Damage and Durability in One Demacian Package
Garen is a bruiser, often called a tanky fighter. He blends damage dealing with tank capabilities. He can deliver respectable damage, especially with his spin, while enduring hits effectively. He is neither a pure tank like Ornn nor a glass cannon like Fiora. Garen balances offense and defense. Is he a tank or bruiser? More bruiser.
Lane: Top Lane (Baron Lane in Wild Rift) – Home is Where the Top Turret Is
Garen mainly plays in the top lane, or Baron Lane in Wild Rift. His kit suits 1v1 matchups and long lane phases. His passive sustain helps against poke, while his damage aids in skirmishes. Garen should always select top lane; it’s where he excels.
Difficulty: Easy to Play – Beginner Friendly, but Still Room for Mastery
Garen is one of the easiest champions to play in League of Legends. His abilities are direct, mechanics are simple, and he is forgiving. This simplicity makes him appealing for new players. Is Garen the easiest Champion? He ranks high. However, easy doesn’t mean no skill ceiling. Mastering Garen requires understanding matchups and using skills effectively.
Demacian Drama: Garen’s Lore and Relationships – Family, Duty, and Forbidden Love?
Garen has rich lore and connections with other champions. Let’s explore his story
Age: 26 Years Young – Still Got That Demacian Hustle
Garen is currently 26 years old in League lore. At the time of “For Demacia” and “Lux,” he was 25. Still young, he serves Demacia with fervor.
Garen and Lux: Sibling Rivalry? Nah, Just Sibling Love (Mostly)
Garen and Lux hail from the Crownguard family. Luxanna Crownguard is Garen’s younger sister. He was bred to defend Demacia. What is Lux’s full name? Luxanna Crownguard. Initially, Garen did not know Lux was a mage since magic is suppressed in Demacia. Later, he learned her truth. Does Garen know Lux is a mage? Yes, after the “Lux” comic, he accepted her powers and they parted on good terms. Despite struggles, their bond remains strong.
Garen and Katarina: Forbidden Love Across Factions?
Garen and Katarina are reportedly dating secretly per Legends of Runeterra lore. A Demacian and a Noxian assassin creates an intriguing twist. Their relationship raises questions about family dynamics.
Garen and Darius: Rivals to the Death (Probably)
The rivalry of Garen and Darius exemplifies the Demacia vs. Noxus conflict. Are Garen and Darius rivals? Yes.
Absolutely. Darius rivals Garen. They represent ideological opposites. Each champion embodies their faction’s values and combat styles. They also share similar abilities. Both are juggernaut champions. Their clashes are legendary in lore and on Summoner’s Rift.
Why Garen Hates Magic: A Family Tragedy
Garen’s hatred for magic stems from loss. His uncle died at the hands of a mage. This happened before Garen turned eleven. Garen saw how this pain affected his family. His younger sister Lux felt this too. This tragedy shaped Garen’s views on magic and strengthened his commitment to Demacia.
Garen’s Sword: Judgement – More Than Just Sharp Steel
Garen’s sword is called Judgement. It is not merely a sword. It holds magical power. In “Garen: First Shield,” it’s revealed as Judgement. Its power appears in the “Lux” comic and the “Warriors” cinematic. The sword symbolizes Demacian justice and is a potent weapon in Garen’s grasp.
Shields Beyond Garen: A Quick Look at Shielding Champions
We focused on Garen and shields. Now, let’s explore how other champions use shields.
Seraphine: The Sound Weaver with Energy Shields
Seraphine creates energy shields. She can protect herself and her allies. Through her Sound Projection ability, she manipulates sound waves. These shields fit her supportive playstyle.
Ramattra: Annihilation and Temporary Armor
Ramattra has an ultimate called Annihilation. This ult creates a damaging swarm for nearby enemies. Although not a traditional shield, it grants temporary armor in his Nemesis Form. This boosts his survivability.
Kiriko: Kitsune Rush and Buffs Galore
Kiriko’s ultimate is called Kitsune Rush. It summons a fox spirit that forms a path. Allies benefit from increased movement speed and attack speed through this ult. It’s not a shield, but it enhances her team’s capabilities significantly.
Yuumi: Zoomies and Untargetability
Yuumi has a unique ultimate ability called Final Chapter. This ult fires waves of magic damage, rooting enemies hit multiple times. Although not a shield, her attached state, along with her ult, enhances her playstyle.
General Game Mechanics: A Quick Refresher
Here are some quick notes about general game mechanics related to Garen:
Ultimate Charge: Fueling the Big Plays
Ultimate charge accumulates over time or through actions. Heroes start with no ultimate charge. They gain it passively during gameplay. This charge enables powerful ultimate abilities.
Critical Hits: Doubling Down on Damage
Critical hits inflict increased damage significantly. They show larger damage numbers and visual effects. They are based on a percentage chance influenced by critical strike stats. Garen can achieve critical strikes with his spin in a crit build.
True Damage: Ignoring Defenses Entirely
True damage bypasses armor and magic resistance. It deals full damage directly to health. Garen’s ultimate can inflict true damage, making it potent against tough opponents.
So, does Garen’s ult ignore shields? In a nuanced sense, yes. It bypasses the primary purpose of shields by dealing magic damage. Against the Villain, it adds true damage that overlooks shields completely. Next time you face Garen, remember, shields help but don’t offer total safety from him, especially if you are his Villain.
