Plants Belong in the Jungle

ModIts Yuu and Mi·Sep 18, 2013·10 votes·433 views

Hey guys. Just wanted to share my thoughts on a new jungler. Zyra.

I'm currently 4-3 in Ranked Yolo Q. I've done well nearly every game; one or two I did legitimately bad. And I have to say... It's very strong.

Like support Zyra, she's relevant in all stages of the game no matter what. Her ganks are pretty good with and without ult (ult makes them really terrifying), her counterganks are horrific.

Her clear speeds are fast, and she really doesnt need more than 2 blues. Her plants also tank for her in the jungle.

I go Q>E>W (getting W at level 2), and start Machete+Pots. I haven't tried it yet but I've considered starting Doran's Ring+2 Pots.

My Build is typically Armguard+Sorc->Zhon+Sorc->Rab+Sorc+Zhon+Situational.

I've had blue stolen before and still done fine; invades set her back but not to the point she's useless.

Her clears are really fast, ganks are good, and she's always relevant. Oh, and I dont build Spirit items anymore; I've found they deter too much from early power.

I wanna encourage others into trying it; let me know how things turn out!

14 Comments

RiotXelnathSep 19, 20134 votes

I think we could do a little bit here to encourage Jungle Zyra more in the future. I think she's totally viable, except that she requires a hard leash at Blue.

ModIts Yuu and MiSep 19, 20134 votes

XELNATH! I love you!

Wow really! This is amazing having a Rioter endorse this; thank you so much!

And, when I did my test runs, in a custom, I leashed myself blue, wolves, wraiths, red, and wolves again. Cleared in under 3:45 (hitting lv 4). No one helped.

<3 <3!

RiotXelnathSep 19, 20134 votes

I generally go blue -> red (wait for 3 seeds before starting) -> smite -> level 4 -> gank.

ModIts Yuu and MiSep 19, 20132 votes

Same actually! I was just doing that in a custom match to test. But yes, that's what I do myself.

It's great to hear another enthusiast~

Edit: I mean, that's what I do in a live, real match

Hyrum GraffJul 22, 20141 votes

...upcoming zyra jungle buffs, is that what I'm hearing? ;)

PryotraSep 18, 20133 votes

I could see it working. she is basically Heimer with more CC, which would allow heimer to gank better.

ModIts Yuu and MiSep 18, 20131 votes

Thanks for the response! That's a good comparison; I never thought of it like that before-- I mean I've compared the champs, but not them in the jungle like that.

GundayMondaySep 19, 20132 votes

I want to try this now. I figured she'd be too squishy early without plants for yolo queue. Could definitely see her ganks being terrifying.

ModIts Yuu and MiSep 20, 20131 votes

Tell me how it works for you!

GundayMondaySep 23, 20131 votes

Been practicing against bots and oh man is this fun. I can see this getting countered if you deny her blue though. She can't really duel at all until she gets a few levels under her belt, so an early jungle bully would completely shut her down in a real game.

How do you counter an aggressive invader in the first couple of levels? Something like a lee sin that can kill you pretty easily.

TortferngatrSep 22, 20132 votes

Honest question: Why Rabadon's over Void Staff or Liandry's Torment? Both are much more efficient damage items (especially for Zyra, whose plants proc Liandry's) than Deathcap.

I know stonewall008 has run Jungle Zyra before and actually considers her quite capable (not necessarily as strong as more conventional picks, but definitely a good jungler for when you're bored of the top picks and want to have fun.)

AssassinSep 19, 20131 votes

But is it viable to die in the jungle to use the true damage from her passive? :p

#SorakaBotReviveSmiteJungleEvelynnNever4get

MeowmonerSep 20, 20131 votes

To be honest, this sounds pretty interesting to me... I wonder what kind of Runes/Masteries do you run with her? Standard AP ones... or Tanky/Utility?

NightingaleSep 24, 20131 votes

Consider my interest piqued. As a person who mained Zyra nearly since release, I love everything about her. I played a ton of Zyra mid and then hopped on the support wagon when she started being played often as a support but I honestly still prefer her mid because of her insane scaling and damage output if she lands a single root. She need not worry in her own jungle because of her disengage and scouting with seeds, same goes for objective securing. But I'm rambling. Please do tell:

Runes / Masteries?
No Haunting Guise? Why? It's a very common item on Zyra and the health and Magic Pen are both highly beneficial.

Last off, what is she good at? I don't see her clear being excellent without Chalice or blue, and she would probably need CDR for a truly good clear because she relies on seeds to tank damage. Do you build any MP5 on her? I usually rush Chalice on Zyra mid for zoning and plant spam to bully my lane opponent.