MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Katarina vs Garen
What is Katarina's win rate vs Garen?
In Mid, Katarina wins 50% against Garen across 624 observed ranked games.
Global ranked sample: games from every region and every rank pooled together, not one server's stats. Data runs through patch 26.12; curves updated 2026-08-07.
By 15 minutes the median game has Katarina behind by 448 gold.
Katarina at 15:00
- Gold: -448
- CS: -18
- XP: -440
Typical gap to Garen, from 623 games that reached 15:00.
Does Katarina counter Garen?
Too close to call. Katarina sits at 50% over 624 games, so neither pick counters the other here. The lane goes to whoever wins the spots below, like the gold lead at 10:00 or staying alive until 15:00, so play for those and let the pick argument go.
How to beat Garen as Katarina
When Katarina is ahead in gold at 10:00, this matchup runs 58% over 263 games; behind, it drops to 44% over 361.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 58% | 263 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 44% | 361 |
| First blood | 54% | 372 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 56% | 300 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 64% | 140 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 59% | 133 |
| 0 deaths at 15:00 | 69% | 54 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 5:49; the level 6 spike lands around 5:21. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Katarina build in Mid?
Into Garen specifically, Katarina finishes Hextech Gunblade first most often: 54.3% over 105 games of this matchup.
The most-finished Katarina core is Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Zhonya's Hourglass: 54.7% across 5,566 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Dark Seal + Refillable Potion; the first finished item is usually Hextech Gunblade (22,295 games).
Skill plan: Katarina players max Q first and take Q at level 1.