Garen vs. Heimerdinger
If you're having any deja vu, that's because I posted a thread on this same topic yesterday.
After contemplating this topic more, I have come to some conclusions, and would like for you guys to critique them if at all possible:
Build (Gonna do this as something of a flow chart)
(start) Start long sword and hp pots (first back-aggressive) If I am able to get a strong start on Heimerdinger, build start building Hexdrinker as a first item. (second back-aggressive) If I continue to do well against him, build Phage into Black Cleaver. Try to be oppressive in lane for as long as possible. (second back-defensive) If I run into troubles, build Spectre's Cowl into Spirit Visage. (first back-defensive) If I am having troubles against Heimerdinger, start building a defensive Spectre's Cowl. (second back-aggressive) If a Spectre's Cowl provides me with enough defensive stats, start building Phage into Black Cleaver. (second back-defensive) If I am still having troubles against him, finish Spirit Visage, and then start working on Black Cleaver.
Play-style
Early Game: Start by testing the waters to see how well he responds to aggression in the level 1-3 areas. If he is effectively able to counter my aggression, let him push me close to my turret and start to farm up towards a Spectre's Cowl or Phage, depending on how well he is able to land grenades, etc. If he doesn't respond well to aggression, start killing his turrets as he puts them down, and try to keep the wave as close to the middle of the lane as possible. Any time he comes up to try to cs, try to get in an aa->Q->(W)->E->aa combo on him, and sustain back with my passive and hp pots. Build according to the flow chart above.
Mid Game: Take advantage of your increased mobility to create pressure on multiple places on the map, while halting Heimerdinger's pushes onto your turret. Run into ganks, and use teleport to get back into lane when Heimerdinger reaches your turret, clearing the minions with your E. Once BC/SV has been acquired, try to bait out an ability and then go all-in on Heimerdinger repeatedly. You should have enough to deal 75% or more of his health with one combo (depending on SV vs. BC start).
Late Game: Depends a lot on how Heimerdinger is playing (Banner and Zz'Rot, AP Zhonya's, etc.). If he is trying for the Banner, Zz'Rot build, go into whatever lane he is dropping those in and stop him in his tracks. Follow him wherever he goes, and try to pick him off if you get a chance. If he is going AP, build BC and Sunfire, and start split pushing like crazy. You'll force him to follow you around, or risk losing out on turrets very quickly. Don't go in on him unless you can get the jump on him. He'll have a lot of damage, and will be able to Zhonya's up with a Big Cannon to lay down a lot of damage, and avoid your execute.
This is what I've come up with so far. If you have any critiques or suggestions, please leave them below. Thank you. :)
minus 100 health
more expensive
lost health for damage in preseason, got damage nerfed later
minus 100 health
repeated nerfs
mr nerfed
doesnt stack with steraks anymore, and the rework generally nerfed the item for him
became really expensive and not an item that generally fits well into his kit anymore.
exists and is bought on almost every single ap champ.