Taric

Hold outside Charm angle and do not chase through minions where Orb of Deception can hit twice. Bait Spirit Rush or Charm first, then Flash or walk into Dazzle range and unload Shatter plus Radiance while she has no escape charge to reset distance.

Later Finished Ahri still wins the side lane by kiting and picking the engage timing. Taric is more valuable grouped, where he protects carries with Dazzle and armor aura instead of trying to chase Ahri alone.

• •Save Dazzle until after Spirit Rush starts unless she has already missed Charm.
• •Side-step the returning Orb; the true damage return is the part your defenses do not soften.
• •If she holds Charm, your best play is usually to deny her engage rather than force one.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.RecipeRunic Bulwark2,950g (400g to combine)Health300Armor20Magic Resist30Aura - Legion: Grants nearby allies 10 Armor and 25 Magic Resist. This effect is increased by 50% on allied minions.Recipe

Do not spend Dazzle just because she marks you with Mark of the Assassin; back up so she must Shadow Dance into your armor aura and melee range. Once she uses Shroud, step out of it instead of fighting blind, then stun her as she leaves or dashes after you.

Later Akali wins isolated side-lane picks if she can dance around Shroud, but Taric scales better in grouped fights by point-and-click stunning her dive. Buy time for carries rather than trying to solo her through resets.

• •If Mark of the Assassin is on you, expect the dash proc and hold Dazzle for that landing.
• •Do not Radiance into an empty Shroud unless you know she must stay in it.
• •Your armor aura matters less than usual because much of her damage is magic.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeSpirit Visage2,750g (500g to combine)Health400Magic Resist55Health Regen4 / 5sCooldown Reduction20%Lifeforce: Increases self-healing, Health Regen, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp effects by 20%.RecipeTwin Shadows1,900g (735g to combine)Ability Power40Magic Resist40Move Speed6%Active: 120s Summons up to 2 invulnerable ghosts that seek out the two nearest enemy champions for 6 seconds. If a ghost reaches its target, it reveals the target and Slows their Move Speed by 40% for 2.5 seconds (120 second cooldown).Recipe

Do not full-combo into Alistar while Unbreakable Will is available unless you only need to force it. Let him use Headbutt or Pulverize first, then re-enter with Dazzle after the displacement chain is down and trade around Imbue sustain.

Later Neither champion wants a side-lane duel late; Alistar has better displacement, while Taric offers steadier aura value and a reliable stun. Stay grouped and use Dazzle after Alistar commits so he cannot freely peel and reset.

• •If he casts Unbreakable Will after Dazzle, stop spending damage into him and wait it out.
• •Stand away from walls so Headbutt does not buy him a clean escape route.
• •Your Shatter armor aura is valuable for the team, so do not throw it away early unless the duel is committed.

Stand behind minions or angle sideways so Bandage Toss is harder to land, and do not give him a free melee start. If he misses Bandage Toss, take a short Dazzle-Shatter trade, then back out before Despair turns the trade into an extended drain.

Later Amumu is stronger in both side-lane tanks fights and teamfight initiation once items are finished. Taric should play behind the front line, stun Amumu's follow-up target, and keep armor aura on the carries rather than matching him in the center of the fight.

• •Short trades are mandatory; long trades are where Despair beats your heal.
• •Curse of the Sad Mummy can stop your retreat after you commit, so track it before walking into melee.
• •His Cursed Touch makes your magic damage and his magic damage both matter more after he attacks you.

BuySpirit Visage2,750g (500g to combine)Health400Magic Resist55Health Regen4 / 5sCooldown Reduction20%Lifeforce: Increases self-healing, Health Regen, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp effects by 20%.RecipeBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe

Stay outside Flash Frost's center line and never chase through narrow terrain where Crystallize traps you in Glacial Storm. Only commit after Flash Frost is down, and save Dazzle to stop her from walking away while you burst the egg or force her out of storm range.

Later Anivia dominates side lanes and stalls grouped fights much better than Taric can force them. Taric should protect teammates caught by wall or Flash Frost and use Dazzle on anyone diving through Anivia's zone control.

• •Killing Anivia once is not enough; make sure you can hit the egg before you spend everything.
• •Do not stand in Glacial Storm just to finish a melee auto trade.
• •Crystallize can deny your retreat after Dazzle, so fight in open space when possible.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.RecipeSpirit Visage2,750g (500g to combine)Health400Magic Resist55Health Regen4 / 5sCooldown Reduction20%Lifeforce: Increases self-healing, Health Regen, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp effects by 20%.Recipe

Count her Pyromania stacks and back off when the stun is ready instead of walking into her cast range. If she spends the stun on a spell that does not start the all-in, move in immediately with Dazzle before Tibbers is available again or before she can cycle back to another stun.

Later Annie remains favored in picks and burst, while Taric is better as a grouped counter-engage support. Hold Dazzle for Annie after Flash-Tibbers or for the diver who follows her stun.

• •Do not trade into Molten Shield with repeated basic attacks unless her stun is down.
• •If Tibbers is already out, kite away from the bear before re-entering.
• •Mercury's Treads reduce the stun window enough to cast Imbue sooner.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.RecipeRunic Bulwark2,950g (400g to combine)Health300Armor20Magic Resist30Aura - Legion: Grants nearby allies 10 Armor and 25 Magic Resist. This effect is increased by 50% on allied minions.Recipe

Do not start the fight from her maximum range; use brush, fog, or a missed Volley to close the first gap. Once in Dazzle range, stun immediately and stay on top of her with Shatter and Radiance, because if she creates even one screen of space the fight resets in her favor.

Later Ashe wins side-lane kiting, but Taric is useful in teamfights by absorbing Arrow pressure and stunning anyone who dives with her engage. Group with carries and force Ashe to hit front line instead of giving her a long lane chase.

• •Boots of Swiftness are specifically valuable because Frost Shot is the fight.
• •If Enchanted Crystal Arrow is down, she has far less protection against your first Dazzle.
• •Avoid straight river chases; Volley plus Frost Shot will keep you out forever.

BuyBoots of Swiftness1,000g (675g to combine)Enhanced Movement: 60 Move SpeedSlow Resist: Movement slowing effects are reduced by 25%.RecipeNinja Tabi1,000g (375g to combine)Armor25Ninja Footwork: Blocks 10% of the damage from Basic Attacks.Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipeRanduin's Omen3,125g (1,000g to combine)Health500Armor70Cold Steel: When hit by Basic Attacks, reduces the attacker's Attack Speed by 15% and Move Speed by 10% for 1 seconds.Active: 60s Slows nearby enemy units by 35% for seconds.Recipe

Stand behind minions until Rocket Grab is down, then step forward and force the fight while Blitzcrank cannot choose the opener. Do not blow everything into Mana Barrier; once it triggers, heal, keep attacking with Gemcraft, and finish after the shield falls.

Later Neither champion is a serious side-lane duelist late, but Blitzcrank has the higher pick threat while Taric is steadier in front-to-back fights. Stay between Blitzcrank and your carries, and answer a hook with Dazzle on the pulled target's attacker.

• •If he misses Rocket Grab, your next few seconds are the best time to trade.
• •Dazzle after Power Fist lands if you need to stop his follow-up damage.
• •Mana Barrier can make a won duel look lost; track his mana before committing lethal cooldowns.

BuyAegis of the Legion2,150g (625g to combine)Health250Armor20Magic Resist20Aura - Legion: Grants nearby allies 10 Armor and 15 Magic Resist. This effect is increased by 50% on allied minions.RecipeNinja Tabi1,000g (375g to combine)Armor25Ninja Footwork: Blocks 10% of the damage from Basic Attacks.Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe

Do not walk in a straight line after Brand tags you with Conflagration or Pillar of Flame, because Sear is the real punish. If Sear misses, close immediately for Dazzle and a short burst trade, then leave before Blaze and cooldowns cycle again.

Later Brand remains much stronger in grouped damage, but Taric can blunt his engage by stunning him after he steps forward to cast. Spread from allies so Pyroclasm does not bounce through the whole fight, and build magic resistance for the teamfight rather than the duel alone.

• •Blaze makes pure health weaker than magic resistance in this matchup.
• •Never chase Brand through Pillar of Flame's target marker.
• •If Pyroclasm is available, do not duel him near your minion wave or teammates.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeRunic Bulwark2,950g (400g to combine)Health300Armor20Magic Resist30Aura - Legion: Grants nearby allies 10 Armor and 25 Magic Resist. This effect is increased by 50% on allied minions.RecipeMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.Recipe

Keep moving laterally so Rupture has to predict your path, and do not spend Dazzle before Feral Scream unless you are disengaging. Take only short trades after Rupture misses; if Cho'Gath still has Feast and you are low, leave instead of trusting Imbue to save you.

Later Cho'Gath wins the side lane and brings stronger zone control to grouped fights. Taric should avoid matching him alone and instead use Dazzle to interrupt Cho'Gath's walk-up on carries after his silence is spent.

• •Feast is true damage, so do not judge lethal range by your armor or magic resistance.
• •If Feral Scream hits first, you usually cannot heal before his next spell lands.
• •Do not fight inside minion waves where Vorpal Spikes add free damage while he last-hits for sustain.

BuyBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeSpirit Visage2,750g (500g to combine)Health400Magic Resist55Health Regen4 / 5sCooldown Reduction20%Lifeforce: Increases self-healing, Health Regen, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp effects by 20%.RecipeWarmog's Armor3,000g (995g to combine)Health920Health Regen10 / 5sPassive: Permanently gain 3.5 Health and 0.1 Health Regen per 5 sec. per stack. 1 stack is gained per minion or monster kill and 10 stacks are gained per Takedown. Maximum bonuses: Health and Health Regen per 5 seconds.Recipe

Do not run straight at Corki through Gatling Gun; angle out of the cone and wait for Valkyrie to be used defensively or aggressively. Once Valkyrie is down, Dazzle immediately and force a short all-in before Missile Barrage and Phosphorus Bomb poke you out again.

Later Corki wins side-lane duels by kiting and mixed damage, while Taric contributes more as peel in grouped fights. Sit near carries and punish Corki only if he Valkyries forward or gets caught within Dazzle range.

• •Armor alone is unreliable because Corki mixes magic, physical, and true damage.
• •If Valkyrie is up, your stun usually forces distance rather than a kill.
• •Step sideways out of Gatling Gun instead of backing directly away inside the cone.

BuyRanduin's Omen3,125g (1,000g to combine)Health500Armor70Cold Steel: When hit by Basic Attacks, reduces the attacker's Attack Speed by 15% and Move Speed by 10% for 1 seconds.Active: 60s Slows nearby enemy units by 35% for seconds.RecipeGuardian Angel2,750g (1,310g to combine)Armor50Magic Resist40Guardian's Intervention: Upon taking lethal damage, restores 30% of maximum Health and Mana after 4 seconds of stasis (5 minute cooldown).RecipeNinja Tabi1,000g (375g to combine)Armor25Ninja Footwork: Blocks 10% of the damage from Basic Attacks.Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe

Stand behind minions to block Infected Cleaver and avoid letting its slow start the fight on Mundo's terms. If he uses Sadism, disengage with Dazzle rather than continuing to swing; fight again only after the regeneration window has passed.

Later Mundo is much better in the side lane and can ignore Taric unless the team brings Grievous Wounds. Taric should group, peel Mundo off carries with Dazzle, and let damage dealers handle the health bar.

• •Do not chase through repeated Infected Cleavers; one slow usually leads to the next.
• •Your stun is often better used to disengage Sadism than to start the fight.
• •Executioner's Calling is only worthwhile if you are actually applying basic attacks often enough.

BuyExecutioner's Calling1,900g (700g to combine)Attack Damage25Critical Strike Chance20%Rending Strike: Basic Attacks inflict Grievous Wounds on enemy champions for 1.5 seconds On-Hit. (Grievous Wounds reduces incoming healing and regeneration effects by 50%.)RecipeSpirit Visage2,750g (500g to combine)Health400Magic Resist55Health Regen4 / 5sCooldown Reduction20%Lifeforce: Increases self-healing, Health Regen, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp effects by 20%.RecipeWarmog's Armor3,000g (995g to combine)Health920Health Regen10 / 5sPassive: Permanently gain 3.5 Health and 0.1 Health Regen per 5 sec. per stack. 1 stack is gained per minion or monster kill and 10 stacks are gained per Takedown. Maximum bonuses: Health and Health Regen per 5 seconds.Recipe

Keep the fight near wards or allied space when possible, and do not waste Dazzle before she is committed in melee. Once she opens with Ravage, stun her immediately, use Shatter and Radiance during the stun, then heal after her first burst rather than before it.

Later Evelynn is more dangerous in picks and flanks, while Taric is stronger when grouped and ready to counter-stun her dive. Buy vision and magic resistance, then make her reveal into your team instead of taking isolated paths.

• •If she appears but does not use Ravage yet, hold Dazzle until she commits.
• •Agony's Embrace slows your retreat, so do not fight with no exit behind you.
• •Twin Shadows helps find her before she gets the perfect opener.

BuyTwin Shadows1,900g (735g to combine)Ability Power40Magic Resist40Move Speed6%Active: 120s Summons up to 2 invulnerable ghosts that seek out the two nearest enemy champions for 6 seconds. If a ghost reaches its target, it reveals the target and Slows their Move Speed by 40% for 2.5 seconds (120 second cooldown).RecipeRuby Sightstone1,700g (75g to combine)Health380Ward Refresh: Holds 5 charges and refills upon visiting the shop.Active: Consumes a charge to place an invisible ward that reveals the surrounding area for 3 minutes (maximum 3 wards placed from this item at once).RecipeBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.Recipe

Use minions to block Mystic Shot and force Ezreal to last-hit or shift before you commit. If Arcane Shift is down, Dazzle at once and spend your whole burst window; if it is up, your stun mostly forces him away rather than winning the duel.

Later Ezreal wins side-lane spacing and poke, while Taric is better attached to a team where his stun can punish Arcane Shift forward. Protect carries from his poke and only chase him after mobility is down.

• •Do not let Mystic Shot repeatedly hit you for free cooldown refunds.
• •Essence Flux lowers attack speed, so Gemcraft trading gets worse after it lands.
• •A full-health Ezreal with Arcane Shift up is not a realistic solo kill target.

BuyNinja Tabi1,000g (375g to combine)Armor25Ninja Footwork: Blocks 10% of the damage from Basic Attacks.Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipeRanduin's Omen3,125g (1,000g to combine)Health500Armor70Cold Steel: When hit by Basic Attacks, reduces the attacker's Attack Speed by 15% and Move Speed by 10% for 1 seconds.Active: 60s Slows nearby enemy units by 35% for seconds.RecipeBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.Recipe

Hold Dazzle specifically for Drain, not for the first Terrify unless you are escaping. If Fiddlesticks uses Drain while your stun is ready, cancel it and burst immediately; if Dazzle is down, break range instead of feeding the channel.

Later Fiddlesticks has far more teamfight threat with Crowstorm, while Taric's job is to stop the channel follow-up or peel feared allies. In side lane, avoid fog-of-war fights where Crowstorm starts on top of you.

• •Dark Wind silence can stop Imbue, so cast heal before it bounces if you are already low.
• •Never stand still in Crowstorm just to finish a melee trade.
• •If Dazzle interrupts Drain, the duel becomes much more playable.

BuyMercury's Treads1,200g (475g to combine)Magic Resist25Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedTenacity: Reduces the duration of Stuns, Slows, Taunts, Fears, Silences, Blinds, and Immobilizes by 35%.RecipeBanshee's Veil2,750g (875g to combine)Health450Magic Resist55Intangibility: Grants a Spell Shield that blocks the next enemy ability. This Shield refreshes after no damage is taken from enemy champions for 25 seconds.Shadow Mending: Grants 9 Health Regen per 5 for up to 10 seconds after taking damage from an enemy champion or when the Spell Shield breaks.RecipeQuicksilver Sash1,550g (830g to combine)Magic Resist45Active: 90s Removes all debuffs.Recipe

Do not open with Dazzle unless you are forcing Remove Scurvy for a later fight. Trade with Shatter and Gemcraft first, wait for him to cleanse or heal, then use Dazzle after it is down to lock him in melee.

Later Gangplank scales better as a side-lane damage threat, while Taric has the more reliable teamfight utility. Group up, keep armor aura on allies against Parrrley pressure, and save Dazzle for after Remove Scurvy or for another priority target.

• •If Remove Scurvy is ready, Dazzle is a cooldown tax, not a kill setup.
• •Do not stand in Cannon Barrage while trying to chase; the slow ruins your melee uptime.
• •Armor is high value because Parrrley applies his physical poke pattern.

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Keep him tagged with occasional Shatter or Dazzle so Perseverance does not freely reset the duel. Do not stand in Judgment for the full spin; stun him after Decisive Strike is spent, trade once with Gemcraft, then back out before the execute threshold.

Later Garen wins the side lane because Taric cannot force him to stay low. In teamfights Taric is more useful if he saves Dazzle for Garen's entry and keeps armor aura on the carry line instead of chasing a solo kill.

• •Damage him often enough to stop Perseverance, even if the trade is small.
• •Dazzle after Decisive Strike's speed burst, not before it.
• •Heal before you enter Demacian Justice range; late Imbue may not matter.
• •Shatter's armor helps against Judgment, but not against the ultimate execute.

BuyFrozen Heart2,900g (550g to combine)Armor95Mana400Cooldown Reduction20%Aura - Frostbite: Reduces the Attack Speed of nearby enemies by 20%.RecipeRanduin's Omen3,125g (1,000g to combine)Health500Armor70Cold Steel: When hit by Basic Attacks, reduces the attacker's Attack Speed by 15% and Move Speed by 10% for 1 seconds.Active: 60s Slows nearby enemy units by 35% for seconds.RecipeNinja Tabi1,000g (375g to combine)Armor25Ninja Footwork: Blocks 10% of the damage from Basic Attacks.Enhanced Movement: 45 Move SpeedRecipe