Yorick has always been a curious case, originally a mage with mana issues and now he's the premier split pusher. He also has been an unkillable champion and his rework makes it even easier to maintain that status.

I hate to say this since the game is team focused but Yorick doesn't care about his teammates or even work well with most of them, he's a Singed that has actual power in his kit instead of just being a pain in the rear.

This guide is focused on playing him as a bruiser in the top lane so if you are looking for a certain play style that differs from this I'm not your man.

Yorick's runes haven't changed much since before his rework, however there is one change that I personally find advantageous, however since this is a guide for people that are just looking to pick him up I'll give a short blurb about them.

Marks:
8x Attack Damage marks, You are playing Yorick as a Bruiser so having a boost to his AD helps him to hit like a truck.
1x Critical Chance mark, For the fun of getting that Critical hit

Seals:
9x Armor seals, Standard seals for most champions and Yorick is no exception

Glyphs:
9x Magic Resist glyphs, getting that boost to your MR will help you survive some poke from mage top laners

Quints:
3x Lifesteal quints, this is the change from the previous Yorick, since he lost his burst into sustain lifesteal on his E you need a bit more survivability and these help him.

Savagery: While it helps a little bit with farming it's just an entry point into the Cunning tree.

Assassin: This allows you to deal the extra bit of damage you might need to take down your lane opponent.

Meditation: While Yorick isn't as mana hungry as he once was taking this helps you maintain your mana in lane and while pushing.

Dangerous Game: Helps sustain you while pushing and if you take out the jungler/lane opponent.

Unyielding and Tough Skin: Gives a defensive boost that you want as a Bruiser.

Runic Armor: Increases the amount that you heal from your lifesteal and Q.

Insight: Useful but just a stop to move down the list.

Swiftness: Helps you limit CC that would spell death otherwise.

Grasp of the Undying: Bonus damage and healing in a sustained fight.

Starting out I know some people would say go with a Doran's item but I would rather use my starting gold building towards a useful item and play it a bit safe to start.

Next I personally like Blade of the Ruined King as the first finished item since getting your lifesteal early helps you survive and since his Q is an autoattack modifier the heal from it just blows up healing large amounts for you. His Q is also an autoattack reset so as fast as you can hit your Q after an attack you gain the extra 6% current health damage.

Boots are a personal choice I like my Boots of Swiftness since it helps me chase my fleeing opponents and finish them off however if you find you need tank stats then move towards one of the tank boots.

If you have played a Bruiser before you know that you build your tank after your damage item and this is no different so just alter your build to the tank stats you need.

As standard with most champions you take your Ultimate at every opportunity it's presented so R is the highest priority skill.

Q is your bread and butter and unless it'll interfere with your R take it.

Your E directs your ghouls who to attack and should be maxed second.

Your W is OK but since it scales with nothing ranking it is pointless since most enemies aren't going to destroy it and the cooldown reduction from each rank isn't worth it unless you are always getting ganked.

I personally love Yorick and his update gives him some better viability but since he lacks mobility he is a one-trick pony, but that one trick is a pain to deal with. I have played this and when the opponents ignored me to try and pick off my teammates I took a tower and a half before they forced me to flee, and even when they think I'm going down one Q on a minion or jungle camp restores a quarter of my health. I urge you to try him when he is free (since he should reenter the rotation now) and see if you want to pick him up.