Build marks without donating the lane

0:00–14:00, especially the first two waves and every crash before a recall or move

In lane, protect the bot level-2 race without gambling the lane on it. If your duo can reach the wave first, help create a push and threaten Q when the enemy approaches a minion; if the enemy reaches level 2 first or has the larger wave, give ground and preserve HP. Use W to stay connected to your ADC or a safe minion, and reserve E for a projectile or attack from its covered direction that would change the trade. Your transition is a crashed wave: recall together or roam only when the move is certain.

Lane

Mark only when the lane can finish the stun

If your ADC can safely follow and the enemy must walk up for a last hit, use Q to slow and apply the first Concussive Blows stack, then continue only while your ally can add basic attacks. If Q misses, your ADC cannot reach the target, or the enemy wave is larger, hold position instead of forcing a second trade; the mark is valuable only when the four-stack threat can be completed.

With Braum

• If Braum marks an enemy with Q or a basic attack, add basic attacks only when you can do so without walking into a larger enemy wave or an obvious counter-engage. Four stacks create the meaningful payoff; random attacks from range are more useful when they help finish that mark than when they split damage across targets.
• If Braum raises E toward the enemy's main projectile or attack threat, use that protection window to reposition, continue safe damage, or retreat behind him. Do not assume the shield covers every angle or every type of damage; use the covered direction rather than clustering carelessly beside him.
• If Braum uses W to reach you or a nearby minion, treat the landing as a defensive connection, not permission to chase. Follow only when your numbers and health support the play; otherwise let him return to you with Q or R available.
• If the team is setting up dragon, three-Voidgrub camp, Rift Herald, or Baron, arrive with Braum 60–90 seconds before the known spawn and let him help establish the entrance line. When he creates a slow, knock-up, or mark, focus the target your team can actually reach, then turn the numbers advantage into the objective or a structure.