Junglers: Full clear or back at 450G?

Gottvonalle·Feb 6, 2015·1 votes·1,292 views

I've been loving some Fiddle jungle lately. I can do a full clear because of drain, but is that the right way? I usually clear 2 groups and buffs, then B to guy upgraded machete. This seems the best way to go because of the extra gold and I'll have chilling smite for a gank. What has been the consensus? I've also seen people going Doran's first instead of machette, but I feel like I auto-attack enough to warrant the machete and like the smite upgrades. Disccus

6 Comments

Drunk RummateFeb 6, 20152 votes

I'd say it depends highly on your champion.

When I nidalee jungle I usually clear 4 camps and gank or invade depending on the circumstances, but that's only because I have enough hp and sustain to do so safely.

When I Vi jungle I like to clear 5 camps and recall for my trailblazer and potions and a ward, but sometimes I'll stop farming after Red if I see a good gank opportunity because the kill is worth more than the gold/xp from 2 camps.

With Fiddle I think I would recommend sticking around til 550 gold. That lets you buy a pink ward in addition to your jungle upgrade which you can drop in the river on your blue buff side. They'll want to contest your blue since it's so valuable to fiddlesticks, so you should ward well to protect it.

GottvonalleFeb 6, 20151 votes

Good tips and makes sense. I am looking to try and learn Rek'Sai next to build my jungling base. It looks like her strategy would be similar to your Nid one. Rek'Sai can clear and then invade. I wasn't for sure if there was a general feel for how much a full clear, then B was making over a 550G then B. I didn't know if the time going back was worth the upgrade. I understand there is more presence if you can gank after 550g.

Blue Collar BearFeb 6, 20152 votes

The upgraded jungle item gives extra gold per camp, extra damage and sustain per camp, and whatever utility you decide to buy. In my opinion, you should not back unless you absolutely need one of those. Although, you'll almost absolutely need it on anyone. The only time I find myself not doing a full clear is when I need to be ganking all the time.

KirbyCakeFeb 6, 20152 votes

you're not ganking early, you do frog, blue, wolves, drag, frog, then go back and buying, then its taking you even more time to hit 4 before ganking

if you want to gank early, don't pick fid

Dingding123Feb 6, 20151 votes

I don't play fid,

but I play Tryndamere in the jungle and by spamming Bloodlust with the help of some AP from masteries I can jungle indefinitely just the same as Fiddlesticks can with his drain.

I typically save up 2200g or so (kills get me there the fastest), then I buy boots and Stalker's Blade - Devourer and a ward or two. Once I have a few stacks I become so overpowering that I hardly ever lose afterwards, period. Against any jungler! In Plat at least.

Again, I know nothing at all about fid jungle but if you can find something just as potent as that to buy with Fid it'll be worth your while to keep farming till you have it.

Only Play DariusFeb 6, 20151 votes

If your playing against someone who is a strong counter jungler, like LeeSin , you should probably just back and get machete upgrade, being low health around these guys is no fun.