Build a safe fighting lane

0:00–14:00, especially after each wave reset, level lead, or recall window

Your early goal is to preserve health and mana while shaping a wave that lets you fight on your side. If the opponent walks up for a last hit and your wave is not disadvantageous, use Chomp for a brief slow-and-AD-sap trade, then reset. Place Frozen Domain when you can stay in the area for the next exchange, not as decoration. If you are ahead, hold the wave near your side and threaten an extended trade; if behind, prioritize XP and safe CS, crash before recalling, and stop contesting a wave that gives the opponent a large minion advantage.

Lane

Trade through Q and the wave

If the first waves are even and your Q can reach the opponent on a last hit without pulling a large enemy wave, take a short Chomp trade and leave before their full rotation. If the wave is larger on their side or the enemy jungler is unseen while you are extended, take CS from safer range and preserve health for the next bounce.

With Trundle

• If Trundle is your top laner and he is building a side-lane threat, give him time to crash the wave before forcing a fight elsewhere. When he has Teleport and the next objective is approaching, help him create a safe entry rather than asking him to abandon the wave for a low-value roam.
• If Trundle places Frozen Domain and walks toward a target, follow during the first part of the exchange while his Q slow and Pillar can restrict movement. If he uses Pillar to start a catch, damage the isolated side immediately; do not wait for a perfect multi-man setup.
• If Trundle is behind, play around his defensive value: let him hold Pillar for the enemy engage and use his Subjugate window to focus the target your team can actually damage. When he is ahead, keep the other four from taking a blind 4v5 while his side pressure draws an answer.