The new jungle: first thoughts
Hi guys.
First off I know everything is subject to change and a lot will be reworked. That being said I think its important to raise discussion to ensure a better game experience for when these changes go into full swing. Secondly please remember that as whiny as some of this may sound I really enjoy the new changes and this is simply feedback. Note I don't play much ranked although last season I was silver.
- Sustain: The first big issue I've noticed was that our health potions were cut. I usually main Nocturne however fiddlesticks is my second favorite. I noticed a HUGE difference between two characters (whom undoubtedly's main role is in the jungle) in the ability to simply stay alive. Below are the two experiences....
Nocturne: Received a notably strong leash on blue, smited large golem, poped a health pot and went right for wolves. (the Reason I do this is mainly due to his aoe lifesteal/dmg passive which I feel valuable early game time is more suited to the group camps.) By the time I made it and finished red I was nearly dead. I attempted golems and ended up dying. Please note in the last 2 seasons I have been able to clear both jungles with life to spare. I noticed even mid game the camps were doing an excessively large amount of damage. I wouldn't be half way through a jungle lap without being 50% health(even after I just came back from buying items). I found it very difficult to gank simply because my life was always hovering low.
Fiddlesticks: Fid was a much different experience as many of you can probably guess. Even without a strong leash, with his drain and blue buff, i was able to clear both jungles, and completely top myself off after finishing and readying for my first gank. Farming was pretty much a joke considering I only had to go back for items. It was like nothing had changed with fiddlesticks. However I quickly found myself getting fed simply because every jungler opponent I was fighting was nearly starved out. **They didn't have the sustain to farm and support their team at the same time. **
That seems to be biggest theme for most junglers. So far all of my friends have been refusing to play jungle on the majority of their jungle characters simply because they can't effective farm. The theme preached is "strategic diversity". I love the different objectives. I love the different machete's and their jungle strategies. However you wont see any champion diversity until you make it bearable for other champions besides tanks, sustainers, and early gankers.
I would really like to see a couple more potions as well as scaling down the damage on the mid game creeps.
- Machete items: Although I was pissed I had to relearn all new jungling items again... I'll admit I really like the changes to the machete. I think the different enchants and builds will sync well with a lot of champs . However I do have a few concerns.....
Locked in strategy The issue I was struggling with was over purchase time. After you clear your first lap as a jungle, you head back and usually instantly spend that first gold. Obviously most can afford the upgraded machete. The concern I have is over being stuck with the item.
First of all your opponent will instantly see you build and know your play style. For example if I saw someone grab poacher's machete; I would know hes going to play aggressive as a counter jungle. I would simply ward more and play accordingly. However if I see him go more of a farm orientation I can counter that as well. The same thing goes for failure. You really don't have the gold/time to afford selling this item. So once you choose a style you're basically stuck with it. This is ESPECIALLY true if you were to fully upgrade your machete.
I would really like to see something put into place similar to the trinkets. perhaps allowing you to trade it out but have a cool down.
- Dragon:
Simply put I really don't like the idea of dragon not giving gold. I feel like if not enough incentive is in place to go out of your way early game to secure its kill. Waiting most of the game for a buff just doesn't warrant me going out of my way to coordinate a kill on it. I would much rather steal it from the enemy or just get a free kill on it after a successful team fight.
Side note: Can you make Khalessi's dark spear changeable? (on a cooldown of course) That way when my support disconnects, I can still have an ult?
