Should I gank early as Olaf?

Dakkimchi·Feb 21, 2017·2 votes·1,041 views

Recently, I picked up Olaf in my limited jungle pool because of his tankiness and ability to disrupt the backline. Although he is a great champion, I find it really hard to gank with him after doing a full clear. Since he doesn't have gap closers, the most I can do in the early levels is burning a flash from the other team. Instead of trying to gank early, should I actively counterjungle when the enemy jungler pressures lanes with ganks? If I should gank early, how should I approach it?

5 Comments

FooDangFeb 21, 20171 votes

Gank when there an opportunity. If there isnt then go back to jungle. And burning flash is a big deal. You can clear out some camps and come back for a return gank when thier flash is down.

And hit every axe and pick it up to reduce CD and perma slow target.

DakkimchiFeb 21, 20171 votes

Okay, thanks!

BladeSteelFeb 21, 20171 votes

Sometimes you don't want to ask the boards because they'll expect you to gank, countergank, counterjungle and farm your own jungle all at the same time.

Twitch ChatFeb 21, 20171 votes

Olaf is one of those junglers where you never really want to just farm it out because his late game is pathetic.

ErockandrollFeb 21, 20171 votes

It's not always when you gank, it's also who you gank, and who you gank for.

The main benefit from Olaf is usually combined his Ult with Ghost to become a near unstoppable rampaging machine. Pre 6, you should still have enough engage power with just ghost, if you chose an opponent, who can't CC and disengage easily. Also, since Olaf lacks in lock down potential, try ganking for someone who can provide the lock down for you. (Many toplaners have lockdown)

Also, Forcing your opponent to burn their flash isn't necessarily a failed gank. It will make that lane ripe for another gank attempt while flash is on cooldown.