This is a short guide for Alistar top. I don't like stories when I look for information, so I will be straight to the point.

I usually play Ali top when my teams needs a tank, or if the enemy have a dangerous top.
With this build, champions like Riven, Jax, Fiora, Renekton, Lee Sin won't even dare to be a problem.
What's the most beautiful part is that almost no one will expect you there, so its hard to be countered. Not like there is a counter for you :D .

Pro's:

• Very tanky due to ultimate.
• Quite good damage early and mid game.
• Very hard to gank.
• Strong CC.
• Very hard to counter.
• Heal.
• Dives? No problem!

Con's:

• Very mana hungry.
• W can get you in a bad position.
• Late your damage starts to fall off.
• Hard to farm with and to keep creep score to a decent ammount.

Lanning is pretty straight forward with Alistar.
For guides about wards, and farming top you should probably look in other places.
What is most interesting is that people will underestimate you and will engage. Here you will use W to send them back. Let the entire animation to end (no right click to move or use of skill) for a free auto in mid air after Headbutt. This is very important after you get Sheen since it will use its proc. and will deal big amounts of damage.

After you show your power and that no one is to get close to those minions, you will start to zone hard.

Here is the basic scenario you will have:
The enemy gets close... BOOM ... Headbutt (w). He looses creeps and experience. He comes back thinking you are vulnerable ... Boom ... Pulverize (q) then you go behind your minions a little. If he follows, minions damage and your passive will melt him. Then he will run. By this time you will get your Headbutt back and hit his face again.

And that's about it.

I could explain a lot of things about these items. But I will be short!

Core Items:

Iceborn Gauntlet gives you a decent amount of armor, tons of mana, and a Sheen for damage. All your skills will proc it. 'E' most of all since it is spamable in team-fights.
Sunfire Aegis works like a charm with your passive. And it gives you health and armor making you far more tanky.
Abyssal Mask is the item of choice for magic resist. It gives you quite a lot of damage due to its AP and magic penetration aura. This should be replaced with Banshee's Veil or Spirit Visage only if the enemy teams deals to much magic damage.

Other items:
Liandry's Torment. It's passive works very well with your native passive. The AP and magic penetration it gives is sweet also. Not to forget the small boost of health.

Rylai's Crystal Scepter. This item is almost the same as Liandry, but a bit more defensive. It gives you a decent amount of health and a quite nice slow for your passive.

Zhonya's Hourglass. This is very nice when they have only Attack Damage in their team and you are in snowballing. It should replace Abyssal Mask. If you are not fed you should use Randuin's Omen.

Ardent Censer. I've put this here because I think this is an item MADE FOR ALISTAR. Your heal will work perfect with this jewel passive. Its just so good. Essentially in team-fights you will perma give 25% attack speed to your team. This should be taken when you are behind since its cheaper than other items and you will remain as a supportive tank.

Well, almost none... almost. But you will get wrecked by ranged champions (ADC) like Caitlyn , Tristana or Corki if you get them top. Olaf can give you some problems if you are not carefull.

Almost all melee champions.

You should try this. I promise it will be fun!
And leave your opinion about this build!