In my previous article, “In the Jungle”, I addressed the benefits of
jungling, and possible counter-jungling strategies. While it is important to
learn how to deal with junglers, it is also important to realize the potentials
of the jungle outside of jungling.
The Fastest Path
The jungle, while it may be a little bit windy, often yields the quickest
path between lanes apart from the river and at the outer wall of the bases.
Similarly, it can serve as the fastest way to get to Dragon or Baron, as well
as to the middle of lanes and the river. It is
very important to keep this all in mind, as every split second makes a
difference in a match. If some of your teammates are engage in battle, and
your swift reinforcement can tip the scales in your favor, you must react fast
and get to the scene as quick as possible. The time it takes you to reach the
battle can mean the difference between victory and defeat, so it is always
critical to know the quickest way to reach your destination (while also
considering safety).
Now let us suppose a battle did occur, but your help wasn’t needed, or you
were too far to make it there on time. Your team has won the battle, and the
enemy champions are on the run. An enemy champion managed to gain enough
distance from your team to survive, but he is running down the river. The
jungle is often the quickest way to intercept your enemies, as they often yield
the shortest path to your destination. Similarly, this is also the case for
your enemies, as the jungle often provides the shortest path to their safety.
You can use this to your advantage to predict where someone will run, and plan
your interception with that in mind. However, your enemies likely realize all
of this as well, so it is best to exercise caution when necessary.
