This is something I've always wanted to play but each time I seem to figure out something I get demolished the match after.
My questions are:
AlienPrimate3 votesI will do a whole guide here.
Runes
There are 2 choices for runes in top lane. They are for different types of matchups.
Tanks and low early threat - Kleptomancy, Magical footwear, Biscuit delivery, Timewarp Tonic, Presence of Mind, Alacrity
High early threat and ranged - Press the attack, Presence of mind, Alacrity, Last stand, Conditioning, Revitalize
For other matchups you can just pick whichever you like better.
Attack speed, AD, and whichever resist you need for matchup
Items
If Klepto start
for timewarp and if PTA start
Always rush
no matter the matchup or how you are doing. It is basically impossible to solo lane without the awe passive.
Early game you will want to prioritize getting mana above any other stat. This means that if you have 350 gold extra on first back you should get an extra crystal to be used later.
Rush
unless you are having a really bad game. Just skip manamune until later if you are doing terrible which will happen if you get camped early. Don't worry though, Taric scales as you probably know.
Boots
Usually my choice because it makes sticking to people and landing your stun much easier.
You need tenacity. This isn't for magic resistance generally when I get it. It is only for a heavy CC enemy team.
The enemy has 4 or 5 AD.
Armor priority order:
I really shouldn't have to explain this if you play Taric.
Sunfire is better for saving mana when pushing unless you need the grievous wounds from thornmail. Choose one or the other.
The active on this is amazing for lining up dazzle. Get this if you already have the above items or if you need the speed boost to stun targets like Ezreal or Vayne.
Only get this if your team is feeding Yasuo or Tryndamere. The other items offer more for Taric.
Magic resist priority order
This is the go to MR item. The eternity passive is great on Taric and the aura boosts his passive and E damage.
Perfectly caps Taric's attack speed at 2.49 at level 18 with alacrity and the attack speed stat option.
If you need more than the above 2 items you probably shouldn't have picked Taric top but the next choice in a bad matchup where you need more would be visage for the bonus healing.
Other items:
You are really fed and there is a CC that you feel you have to break like Tahm W or Malz R.
You are really fed against a single damage type enemy or you are against Singed which I will go into later.
Skills
Always start Q in top lane. Taric is useless as a fighter without his passive so you need Q at the start to reset it.
Q,E,Q,W,E,R,E,E,E,Q,R,Q,W,W,W,E,W,Q
Swap Q and W at level 3 and 4 if you know you are getting a gank or have to go help your jungler with an invade/scuttle.
Spells
Ignite and Teleport are both good options. This will actually take more testing with the recent ignite changes for me to decide. In the past I would have told you to always go ignite in hopes for an easy level 2 kill but teleport may be a better option now. Here is a clip of why I like ignite.
Matchup difficulty
Freelo:
Easy:
Medium:
Hard:
Dodge:
Snowbally both ways (if someone gets a lead they will easily keep that lead until laning ends otherwise it is mostly a neutral lane):
I lack experience against anyone unlisted and I didn't want to guess.
Special matchups
and counter proxy just in front of my tower. Taric is not mobile enough to deal with a proxy Singed so you just have to deal with it in a different way and let your jungler or middle laner get free kills on him while you keep your tower safe.
Tips:
Something inexperienced Taric players struggle with is sticking to their targets. You should always move between attacks even if you are already in range. This puts you closer to them if they start to run away. Here is a good example where it is easily seen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbYai7F1Ogc
I like to actively search out the enemy jungler when I am pushed up to tower early game because there isn't a single jungler who beats Taric in a 1v1 early game. If you can catch them out it should be an easy kill or at least a flash. I only typically do this on red team (top right) because it takes a lot longer for the enemy top laner to roam down and help. Invading from blue team is too risky with you being locked into meeting either the middle laner at river or top laner in tri bush.
If an enemy is running away and your stun is on cooldown, don't chase the enemy. Use your passive on minions to get the cooldown lower and then go for another stun. You have no tools to gap close other than your stun so there is no point in ever chasing someone without it unless it is almost off cooldown or there are no enemy towers or reinforcements around.
In a ranged matchup I like to use the same strategy as the last point. If Teemo is sitting there shooting me after I miss my stun, I'm not going to keep following him and eat free damage. I'm going to switch focus to minions which will heal and shield me as I spam to get my stun back up. Most ranged champions will not be able to break through your healing in laning phase meaning that as long as you have mana you can just ignore them unless you have opportunity to stun. You can only do this if you have some mana items built though.
Ask away if you have any questions after this or after a game.
Stars Shaper1 votesThank you, it has been a good read. Going to apply it soon :D
