Garen vs Akali
Top Lane Matchup
You
VS
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Who Wins
- You win pre-6 trades through superior sustain and base damage, especially at level 1-2 where Akali lacks energy management and escape tools.
- Post-6 the matchup shifts heavily in Akali's favor as her R gives her the mobility to kite your engage attempts and burst you down.
How to Trade
- Your optimal trading pattern is Q into auto-E combo when Akali uses Q on minions or steps too close, then immediately back off to avoid extended trades.
- Never chase her through her W shroud as she'll out-damage you with repeated Q-passive procs while you can't target her reliably.
Wave Control
- Push early waves to deny Akali's energy regeneration from last-hitting and force her to use Q on minions rather than harass.
- After level 6, maintain slow pushes or freeze near your tower since you cannot chase her effectively in long lanes.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Never use Q to engage when her W is available as she'll shroud immediately and kite you to death with Q-passive combos.
- Don't build full damage early - prioritize MR and health since her hybrid damage will chunk you faster than you can reach her post-6.
Created on 01/13/2026
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