Mordekaiser vs Garen TOP Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Garen

Mordekaiser vs Garen

Updated Jun 3, 2026

Overview

Control the lane by using wave and (E) pull pressure to force Garen into extended trades where your passive and (W) shield outvalue his short trades.
Prioritize denying Garen's passive health recovery by forcing sustained fights and avoiding giving him short trade windows to reset.
This is a control vs survive matchup where you must manage cooldowns and isolation to outduel Garen and prevent his execute threat.

Trading pattern

Start trades by threatening or landing (E) to pull Garen in and follow with isolated (Q) for maximum damage.
Extend trades only when your passive is active or you can force isolation with (R) to negate his short trade burst.
Punish Garen after he uses (Q) silence by stepping forward to trade longer, as his disengage window is limited then.

Danger windows

Be cautious when (E) misses, as your engage threat and trade damage drop significantly.
Respect (Q) silence and (E) spin combo as a burst window that can punish your extended trades.
Avoid fighting when your (W) shield has low stored value, as you lose durability against his burst damage.

Early game

Use early levels to farm safely and threaten (E) pulls to zone Garen from short trades.
Avoid walking forward without (E) ready to prevent being silenced and punished by his (Q) silence and (E) spin.
Keep the wave slow and near your side to maintain pressure and set up isolated (Q) damage once passive is active.

Power spikes

At level 6, use (R) to isolate Garen and force duels he cannot kite or survive alone; do not use (R) blindly into easy disengage.
After your first AP bruiser item, force extended trades where your sustained damage and shield heal outvalue Garen's short burst.
Respect Garen's level 6 execute window; avoid prolonged fights when he has health advantage and (R) execute is threatening.

Win conditions

Use wave control and (E) pulls to force Garen into extended trades where your passive and (W) shield give you the edge.
At level 6, leverage (R) to isolate Garen from jungle or team help and secure kills or force him out of lane.
Maintain pressure to deny Garen passive recovery and prevent him from safely reaching execute range with (R).