For me personally, it really depends on the specific champions, but that won't help a new player like you, so I try my best to break it down a bit.

Right now, against AD matchups like Qiyana, Talon or Zed I tend to build Sunfire Aegis first into Riftmaker.

Against usual AP Matchups like Sylas, Orianna or Akali I tend to build Hollow Radiance first into Riftmaker.

Those are mainly for the early/mid game, to win your lane against your enemy. Following items should depend on the rest of the enemy team you're facing. So if the enemy team also has AP, if you bought Sunfire Aegis, you can go a Abyssal Mask next. With that you got some Magic Resistance, while also dealing more AP damage to enemies around you.

Now if we turn that around, and you went Hollow Radiance first against your laner, while the enemy team has some AD aswell, you can go for a Iceborn Gauntlet for example to get some Armor in, while also slowing enemies with your Colossal Smash after an ability cast.

Rod of Ages would be a more mid/late game orientated choice, where you can also deal some solid damage. For example if your team is missing some damage.

And if you just want some raw damage from from level 1 upwards, you can just go the usual full AP assassin build with something like Lich Bane, Shadowflame and Stormsurge.

The rest of each build can always be adjusted to your current game. I know this might not be the answer you wanted, but it is really hard to put this into word and tell you about each specific champion. I hope that this could help you atleast a bit.

I always look at my team first, but usually Bruiser is when you want to tank some damage but also deal some damage.

Do we have AD? AP? Tank? Bruiser? Hyper carry? Stuff like that.

If we got more than enough damage, I like to tank more with the sustain build. If we lack some damage the Damage Bruiser comes in very handy.

Another example would be if the enemy has no real anti-heal source, the sustain is even more enjoyable and if you got some other AP damage sources in your team, the Damage Bruiser with Bloodletter's Curse and Abyssal Mask also plays into their kit, so this is also something to look out for.

And the standard Bruiser Build #1 is just the usual build that other sites would recommend aswell, minus the Fimbulwinter, because thats just something I really enjoy. So when in doubt, and you also face a AP matchup, that is your build to go.

I hope this could make things a bit more clear.

After the latest nerfs to Grasp of the Undying and Heartsteel I found myself not enjoying Heartsteel all too much. You definetly notice the nerf.

That being said, I know its still 'doable' and can work in many scenarios, but I dont really play it all too much in the current patch.

I dont want to list a build I am not using myself currently, so I decided to remove it for now.

Im really happy to hear that it still works for some of you guys, so just use it as long as its working.

You are absolutely right, why did I never thought of this...

I will change it immediately

Im sorry this never crossed my mind, but thanks a lot for telling me

Yea. If the enemy team has no real Anti Tank Champion like Vayne, Fiora, etc. i really like the (Bruiser Build #1) with Heartsteel.

But (Bruiser Build 2 and 3) basically work into every game. Rod of Ages paired with Bloodletter's Curse and Riftmaker just feels the best in general. Gives you everything you need.

Hextech Belt isnt a bad Item for Galio, since it gives AP, HP and Ability Haste.

My problem is, that I cant really make it fit in a build, since I prefer the other items listed more than Hextech. Im also not a big fan of its active, but thats just me personally.

If you would like to build it, I recommend it, when you would like a more Bruiser like playstyle. So you can pair it with Riftmaker against Assassins for example, so you wont get oneshotted (Talon, Qiyana, Zed, etc.) or against mobile enemies to catch them more easily with its active (Akali, Kassadin, etc.)

I would also recommend using atleast a Mana Item or Rune to not run out of Mana constantly while playing more Bruiser like. (Rod of Ages, Manaflow Band, etc.)

Hope that could help.

Thats why I go tear whenever I build Heartsteel to kill the wave with one ability more. You need some more wave control and work with your passive procs more, but it definetly works.

But of course you can just build RoA instead of Heartsteel :)

Im glad that it works for you :)