Jungle: For beginners

Many of the Champions you see will be able to jungle, each one brings something different to the table. will always be my favorite lady and Jungler. I main so I tend to be the type of guy that will die for you if needed or dive for you if needed whichever the case may be. Now, how shall we begin?

Jungle Camps

Gromp this has become my starting point for most Champions the Damage over Time(Area of effect) allows for more damage than normal. is a fine example. Stacking these "Dots" will allow you to "Trailblaze" through them. later in the game you can finish a kill much faster and easier, not to mention reducing the healing effects of the summoner spell or potions. Other than camp clearing, you can duel other junglers fairly effectively. This does not mean run in there willy nilly and you'll happen to get a kill.

"Blue" or the Blue Sentinel happen to be my second thing to take with higher damage/spell heavy champions. This also means i am fairly "low" or easily killed at this point. So this would be a old point to invade or have vision on me. Shaco can probably exploit this much to my dismay and have two or three "Boxes" waiting for you in which case you will probably die. Blue serves little purpose to Champions like consider trying to get that to mid lane or top lane as soon as possible.

Murkwolves these guys are the real MVP. they have created a way to ward the jungle at the cost of a Smite?!? I'm Sold. The Murkwolves are a dangerous gamble for you if you counter jungle them... However the knowledge and intelligence it provides is sometimes worth the risk. They make great defensive tools too. If it came down to you taking my Razorbacks or Murkwolves, you can have the Razorbacks. Most Junglers will not have a problem with taking them. Some might even back then to let their smite recharge or to buy the next item and save a potion.

Next is the Razorbeaks This is a nice buff... however sometimes unneeded. Yeah sure its great clear out the river wards... Maybe even Tribush or Bot river or top river wards or to Check Dragon. However mostly this buff is going to be used in trying to counter Jungle and due to their placement you can try and take the Murkwovles... But beware the jungle is filled with dark and treacherous things.

"Red" or Bambleback is another one of these Damage of Time things... Again a Gromp Smite with a red buff you can clear rather quickly. Also it is a point of conflict for many a game between teammates... Hey guys, the jungle isn't the nice place it used to be. Ask and you shall receive. I have found through many games that people that ask for a buff tend to be those that work well with others and have many times received ganks or camps to ensure they get ahead. Red is something that some Champions need to slow the opposing Champion down. not to mention it also helps us survive in the Jungle.

"Golems" or Krugs are by far my favorite in the jungle, slightly tough but carry CC? Awesome. Take for example she already carries a knock up, and unblockable knock up... now add a stun. or a Rengar jumping outta the bush at you... Scary huh? What is worse you ask? How about the nightmare jungler a guy that can now "Dot" you with his "E" and Bambleback, gromp... and have the ?! For the top and bot laners out there... Those things are sometimes essential in a gank and you taking them because "you need farm" or need to get "feed" isn't good enough because now you have robbed us. We might give you red, blue, gromp or Razorbeaks. But remember Ask for a buff/camp before taking it

Dragon is one of the most needed and contested now. Bot lane you need to watch your jungler... Some of the Champions can solo dragon before level 6, be careful and watch over your fellow player and be ready to render aid to them. Before I used to try to rush it for the gold and exp now its the buffs and experience that matters. Five Dragons and a Baron is nothing to sneeze at... Neither is just Baron or dragon(5). I have yet to see a Baron vs Dragon fight. This you can look at as a mini baron... It is something you must always contest or try to.

Baron Nashor is the one I am most skittish of and most jumpy around. Partly due to the buff and how it can change a fight or a game. As Vi I will gladly dive it(1v5) and try to steal... So watch sometimes being "that guy" is a good thing. I have first hand witnessed a baron fight that went from "we cannot fight it" to "Flash in, and kill everyone!" did I survive?... No, but i watched my team push down two towers and an inhibitor. I have seen a Janna last hit Baron with a Whirl Wind (Anyone else say that in Stewie Griffin's voice?). Be ready and watchful baron can mean the difference between losing and winning.

**Jungle Strategy **

As I said before each champion brings something different to the table, remember that because it effects how the jungle, their routes, warding, and how they will gank. Lets begin this with my favorite type of gank....

The Walk-in * Cue corny western music *

The Walk-in might sound stupid or too simple to be true, but you cannot argue its effectiveness from the higher teir players to the lower ones like me. This style of gank starts not at entering the lane or warding but simply at Line of Sight this is something that effects lots of games from CS, COD, DOTA, LOL, IC, DG... The list is never ending but so is the Fog of War. The unseen threat like on is the best kind. A surprise 3v2 at close range it better than chasing a 3v2. at minimum a flash at most two flashes and two kills and perhaps their tower.

Far-side Gank

The Far-side gank is much harder and more risky than the other. Normally you want bot lane to engage and you to engage after the fact so they do not insta-burst you down. But for Champions like these types are more common. And often are extremely rewarding for all involved. Things you need to watch for in this type is obviously the other jungler... Nothing poops on a party bot lane faster than a late arrival. A ward at the blue bush is recommended. Tower damage, wards, and Crowd Control.

Near-side Gank

The near-side gank is exactly what it sounds like it is closer to your tower, and normally toward the outside of the lane. This one is by far the least effective in the game and sometimes only gets a flash. This is normally used lane pressure and map pressure. When you see this type do not throw everything into the fight, recognize the jungler might just be doing a show of force rather than a all-out gank. However fiddlesticks excels at this type due to a fear, silence and aoe ult.

River Gank

Easily the most common of all the types in the game. This one has mixed results partly because the river is the most warded thing in game. So remember the opposing team probably knows and is responding to the threat. A jungler caught is normally a dead one. So if doing this one, grab the Razorbacks and do the lane a favor and clear the wards... Don't just show up do nothing a leave.

During Ganking For Junglers

Be aware of the lane's current position, health, mana, and abilities and summoners down or used. Take into account that sometimes you need to carry the Crowd Control not the Support or Adc... So grabbing the Krugs is the best thing you can do. If the lane has nice lockdown or slows to kill the Champion but not enough damage... A red buff and Gromp go a long way.

Miscellaneous

I have heard some people say: "I cannot help a lost lane..." This is by far the most selfish thing a Jungler can ever do. Why?! Because the game is not over yet is it? You should make every effort to help lanes struggling and be there to lean on if need. Every lane sometimes needs someone to lean on or rely on for help and support and the Support cannot always be there. I have seen games go bad and then won in the end because of teamwork. Always make that effort to get them in the lead whether in Creep Score or otherwise.

Counter-Jungling

This has become an extremely "high-risk high-reward" situation. especially in the early to mid game. A will not have a problem killing you if they catch you with you pants down. I have already mentioned one but lets go over this.

The first question you need to ask is "What do we need?"

Opposing Jungler Bot-lane, you're Top

Go take his Bambleback, Krugs (Leave nothing). There is no point is taking some but not all... Becuase now you have a timer and you can check it, ward and catch them... Its like a bait and switch. Besides now you are ahead and have every reason to abuse him or lanes. Go beat up on top, take the tower if he backs. Remember the moment they see you they are going to respond.

Opposing Jungler bot-lane, with you

Wait him out, being seen will scare everyone away. wait to jump them. If you are waiting for them in the Tri-bush or River Bush try to get you guys to favor that side... and be ready to become the front-line between them and the adc. afterwards, sweep the area clear wards, and move on. If successful, hey go check on gromp or krugs.

Opposing jungler spotted by Murkwolves

Hey everyone, pay attention, that is a free kill if everyone responds... Think of it like a game of tag.

Opposing Jungler spotted by red

This is the most invaded, and most stolen by junglers. Guard it, placing a pink near the entrance of the jungle is nice. and gives you a heads up especially if they are not going to red but the Razorbeaks. A simple ward guarding that can be the difference between life and death or an advantage and disadvantage.

Invades

These are exciting and rewarding if successful... Sometimes fatal if not.

Invade Bambleback

Wards, wards, wards... They are your life source. Normally I go from blue to red or now Gromp to red... Then Krugs. Beware you invading means the other jungler might come looking for you. Warding your red right after sometimes means you might catch them or see them coming.

Invade Blue Sentinel

Again remember invading at first chance isn't the best thing now... A support and Jungler can easily catch the other with his pants down.

Thanks for reading additional thoughts, tips, and ideas are always welcome... After all, there is never a bad idea.

For the attached Image Green represents ward placement ideas, pink represents vision placements ideas, and blue represent gank possibilities.

Good luck, have fun... And may the ganks be ever in your favor.