5 Best Junglers in League of Legends Patch 9.4
It's that time of the year again: couples glance bashfully at each other after an enjoyable Valentine's Day, supermarket employees slap sale stickers on the leftover hoard of chocolates, and junglers gloomily check the patch notes to see how their role has been pruned again by Riot like a gardener taking a flamethrower to the shrubbery.
Thankfully, Junglers will be happy to know that it is the Supports who have to check the status of their core items for a change, thanks to the hotfix to the Spellthief and Ancient Coin items to prevent no-farm top laner strategies. The only new things awaiting Junglers is a lovely new Papercraft skin for Nunu and Willump and a new top five best champions for the jungle.
5. Xin Zhao
Xin Zhao retains his top in the top five yet again, although he's definitely gone down a few spots. While Xin Zhao's power with the Hail of Blades rune is still formidable, the growth of power in all three lanes makes it more difficult for the Seneschal of Demacia to gank lanes effectively with his more limited range. Still, his ability to force out enemy junglers with his strong invades makes him a reliable choice to put the pressure on early.
4. Karthus
Karthus is taking a few knocks in Patch 9.4 with nerfs to the damage of his Lay Waste (Q) and Requiem (R) but should still remain a strong pick for intelligent players who can track their opposing jungler. His fast camp clear speed and strong gank potential with the immense slowing effect of Wall of Pain (W) means he can support losing lanes, and the global damage raining down from his ultimate is undoubtedly as satisfying as it is effective.
3. Kha'Zix
Deadly, quick, and dangerous from level three upwards, Kha'Zix is a pick for the carry junglers who want to feel powerful and like the Kills more than the Assists in K/D/A. His Leap (E) gives him strong mobility and gank angles, and its evolved form allows him to chain his kills together for some truly fearsome chase. Just remember to be careful of his fragile health and armor/magic resist values, otherwise this bug will get squashed.
2. Jarvan IV
The Seneschal of Demacia makes way for its Exemplar, as Jarvan IV secures the number two spot. Tanky, capable of beating back invaders in the early levels, strong before Level 6 and powerful after it, Jarvan IV provides much of what Tank junglers are expected to provide in this patch.
1. Lee Sin
The quintessential jungler reclaims his throne. Strong playmaking in the early game in an exceptionally quick meta game means Lee Sin is unlikely to ever fall out of the Top 5 until a drastic patch. With the return of traditional marksmen, the ability to forcefully enter the back line and push the marksmen forward into vulnerable positions rockets Lee Sin back to the top.
Images courtesy of Riot Games