Is jungling really viable when you're low level?

PeppermintMocha5·Sep 12, 2015·6 votes·3,775 views

I got into a PvP game (only my fourth PvP game, by the way) and I ended up jungling with Evelynn. Because I'm only level 10 and I don't have runes/full masteries, I can't really clear jungle effectively until I get to a higher level in game. So I have to constantly back, and it takes forever. In this game, our mid fed really hard then got mad because when I would try to gank I'd end up dying too. He really freaked out on me in the chat, but I don't know what I could've done.

I feel like you have to be a high summoner level before you can really be effective in jungle. Is this the case? Because Evelynn is squishy she doesn't clear. If she doesn't clear, she doesn't level up. I had this problem with Yi too, though it was much less severe. When you get behind enemy champions (and when lanes feed) what can you even do?

17 Comments

EndlessSorcererSep 12, 20155 votes

Some champions are capable of it, but without runes and masteries it isn't really a viable option for many champions. In addition, that will likely leave one of your allies in a 1v2 lane (in which they may feed) and low-level players typically don't know how to assist ganks anyways.

If you want a jungler at low levels, I would recommend Xin Zhao. He has good innate sustain, good ganks, and is pretty simple to play. Nunu, Warwick, Malphite, Fiddlesticks, and Diana are other options.

DurzakaSep 12, 20152 votes

Before lvl 20, I dont think it is viable for anyone to jungle anything except Warwick or Nunu, which are not great champions to help counter your top laner being 1v2.

CupkekSep 13, 20152 votes

{quoted}

I got into a PvP game (only my fourth PvP game, by the way) and I ended up jungling with Evelynn. Because I'm only level 10 and I don't have runes/full masteries, I can't really clear jungle effectively until I get to a higher level in game. So I have to constantly back, and it takes forever. In this game, our mid fed really hard then got mad because when I would try to gank I'd end up dying too. He really freaked out on me in the chat, but I don't know what I could've done.

I feel like you have to be a high summoner level before you can really be effective in jungle. Is this the case? Because Evelynn is squishy she doesn't clear. If she doesn't clear, she doesn't level up. I had this problem with Yi too, though it was much less severe. When you get behind enemy champions (and when lanes feed) what can you even do?

Being a capable Jungler requires knowledge of your preferred champion, the right runes, and a good sense of judgement.

Yes, it's hard for lower level summoners to jungle. By not having tier 3 runes, you lose out on a fair bit of necessary armor and damage to make clearing camps effectively work. That said, there are champions out there that can jungle effectively, regardless of runes. Warwick XinZhao Malphite Nunu Historically, the Jungle has been reserved for champions with fair to obnoxious amounts of sustain. The above champions will work nicely until you can get some runes running.

As a small note, I have to give you credit for making the attempt to learn how to Jungle. In my opinion, it's the most important role and learning it makes you a hell of a better player overall. It's not easy (for the most part), but I'm glad to see you're trying it out :)

Jungle Lux GodSep 13, 20152 votes

There are multiple facets for why lower level players shouldn't take jungle:

The lack of Runes and Masteries limits jungling to very few champions that have a lot of enough innate sustain. For higher levels the sustain allows these champions to jungle for extended periods of time, but for lower level players these kinds of champions are mandatory for getting through the jungle without dying after a few camps.
The lack of experience playing the game means that many players aren't going to do well. Your laners won't know how to follow up on ganks, your jungler may not have the experience to gank, farm, or otherwise control the map efficiently.
A 1v2 top lane is not doable at lower levels. It is very uncommon for a lower level team to use a jungler, so any team that has a jungler is likely going to leave their top laner in a hopeless 1v2 lane that is probably going to feed due to a lack of experience.

Overall, it isn't really viable until you hit at least level 20 unless you have one of the few champions with enough sustain to do the jungle at early levels (eg. Fiddlesticks, Warwick, Nunu, and others).

Alternatively, if you really want to jungle, you can jungle with Smite/Heal, and use Heal to heal up in the jungle when you need to. It's certainly not ideal, but when I learned to jungle in preseason 3 that's what I did to make up for the fact that I didn't have masteries or runes then (although to be fair the jungle was easier then). It's not ideal, and it's definitely better to be a second top laner, but if you really want to jungle then this summoner spell setup might be a bit better for you.

FacerollKatarinaSep 12, 20151 votes

Try Fiddle jungle, hes pretty cheap and easy to learn, and you'll have no problem clearing the jungle without dying

5000000000000000Sep 12, 20151 votes

The season 5 jungle is tough. You'll need a jungler with a lot of sustain, or just gank non-stop.

Some champs with good sustain are Warwick, Nunu, and Master Yi. Skarner can spam his shield so it kinda works too.

SorgklaanSep 12, 20151 votes

I think Eve has shitty clears overall, I really dislike eve.

Until you get runes and masteries, I'd stick with the tried and true beginner junglers. Nunu is super fun, warwick is fun, fiddlesticks is difficult to play well but fun.

Those three can all function in the jungle well without runes, masteries, or much game experience.

67chromeSep 12, 20151 votes

Is jungling really viable when you're low level?

With Warwick Nunu it's certainly possible and can offer a bigger advantage than going duo top.

However - you're limited to ~4 champions if you want to jungle without runes and masteries for it to be any better than duo top.

You also have to consider what you're top-lane buddy is planning for. A lot of starting players are going to struggle in a 1v2 situation, so plan accordingly there.

Tails DollSep 12, 20151 votes

You forgot Fiddlesticks

Meep ManSep 12, 20151 votes

Yeah, it sucks. Don't do it unless you have a high sustain Jungler.

I think Riot needs to give you some starter Tier 2 runes at Level 5 so you can survive better. Tier 2 runes suck, but they help survive enough so it's not just constant backing. Such as: Quints- Armor, Attack Damage, Magic Penetration Marks- Attack Speed, Armor Penetration Seals- Health, Armor Glyphs- Ability Power, Magic Resist

LuggSep 12, 20151 votes

Don't jungle until you have runes. It is REALLY hard to do it without them.

TurquoiseYoshiSep 12, 20151 votes

It's very tough, but it's possible. Barely. Try taking some masteries like Bladed Armor and Tough Skin that do extra damage to jungle camps.

KitsuneKrashSep 13, 20151 votes

Much as I love Eve, the s5 jungle changes hit her hard & she has difficulty with her early clears. A jungler with some sustain would be better til you get to lv20 to unlock tier 3 runes & points fill out the masteries a bit

Some good examples in my opinion Maokai His passive gives him decent sustain & his ult makes him viable for teamfights Elise Her passive in spider form gives her decent sustain. I've done full clears & still had enough health to safely gank before my first back.

I also agree with the above mentions Warwick Nunu Fiddlesticks XinZhao
Fiddle tho has the downside of not having good synergy with any of the current jungle item enchants. I miss Magus since it was viable for all ap junglers.