Should You Leash Your Jungler? A Comprehensive Guide

The simple answer? It depends. Leashing for your jungler can be a beneficial strategy in League of Legends, but it isn’t always necessary or even optimal. Whether or not you should leash depends on several factors including the jungler’s champion, the laner’s champion, the overall game plan, and the current meta. Let’s dive deep into the complexities of leashing and when it’s the right call.

What is Leashing, Anyway?

At its core, leashing involves a laner, typically the mid laner or bot lane duo, attacking a jungle camp (usually the Blue Sentinel or Red Brambleback) to help the jungler get a head start on their clear. This provides several advantages:

• Faster Clear Speed: The jungler takes less damage and clears the camp quicker.
• Healthier Clear: This allows the jungler to gank earlier and more effectively.
• Early Game Advantage: A successful leash can give the jungler a level advantage or allow them to invade the enemy jungle more confidently.

However, leashing also comes with potential drawbacks:

• Losing Lane Pressure: Laners who spend too long leashing can fall behind in experience and gold.
• Vulnerability to Invades: A prolonged leash can leave the laner vulnerable to early invades by the enemy jungler and mid laner.
• Wasted Time on Easy Clear Junglers: Some Junglers can easily clear their first camp on their own.

Factors Influencing the Leashing Decision

Several factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to leash your jungler:

Jungler’s Champion

Some champions, like Warwick or Nunu & Willump, have very healthy and efficient early clears. These champions often don’t require a leash and may even benefit from the laner getting to their lane sooner to establish pressure. Conversely, champions like Zac or certain AD carry junglers might struggle significantly without a leash, particularly on their first clear. The old article clearly mentions that Zac requires a leash.

Laner’s Champion

A champion like Orianna or Syndra in the mid lane can afford to leash without sacrificing too much lane pressure, as they can quickly clear the first wave. On the other hand, a champion like LeBlanc or Zed might prefer to get to lane early to harass their opponent and establish dominance. Similarly, bot lane matchups influence the decision as some matchups need immediate pressure.

The Game Plan

If the jungler plans on an early gank towards a specific lane, a leash can be crucial to ensure they are healthy and have the necessary levels. Conversely, if the jungler intends to power farm or counter-jungle, a leash might be less important. Communication is key; discuss the plan with your jungler in pre-game or early in the match.

Enemy Jungler

Knowing the enemy jungler and their likely early game pathing is vital. If the enemy jungler is known for aggressive early invades, providing vision and skipping the leash might be a safer option. This ensures the laner is in position to respond to a potential invade and protect their jungler.

Current Meta

The current meta-game can significantly influence leashing practices. Certain jungle items or champion buffs/nerfs can alter the effectiveness of early clears, making leashing more or less necessary. Stay informed about the current meta to make the best decision.

Team Composition

Consider your entire team composition and how it matches up against the enemy team. A team that excels at early game skirmishes may want to forego the leash in favor of securing early vision control and preparing for potential fights.

The Art of the Perfect Leash

If you decide to leash, do it effectively:

• Communicate: Let your jungler know you will be leashing and for how long.
• Auto-attack Once or Twice: Don’t overdo it. A few auto-attacks are usually sufficient to give the jungler a good start.
• Avoid Stealing XP: Make sure you are not close enough to the camp when it dies to leech experience from it; it can heavily impact the level up of the jungler.
• Watch for Invades: Keep an eye on the minimap to spot potential enemy invades.
• Get to Lane Quickly: Don’t linger too long in the jungle. Return to your lane as soon as possible to avoid falling behind.

Alternatives to Leashing

If leashing isn’t the best option, consider these alternatives:

• Providing Vision: Place wards in the enemy jungle to track the enemy jungler’s movements and protect your jungler from invades.
• Lane Priority: Push the wave early to gain lane priority, allowing you to roam and assist your jungler if needed.
• Invading: If you have a strong early game team composition, consider invading the enemy jungle to steal camps and disrupt their game plan.

Conclusion

Leashing is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. It’s a decision that should be carefully considered based on the factors outlined above. Communication, game knowledge, and adaptability are key to making the right choice and maximizing your team’s chances of success. The importance of the jungle is huge since it has a great influence to the map. Remember to learn more about League of Legends and game design at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I don’t leash my jungler?

If you don’t leash your jungler, they might have a slower and less healthy clear, potentially putting them behind in the early game. However, if your jungler is playing a champion with a strong early clear, or if the enemy team is likely to invade, skipping the leash might be the better option.

2. What if my jungler flames me for not leashing?

Explain your reasoning calmly and respectfully. Remind them that leashing isn’t always necessary or optimal, and that you made the decision based on your champion, the matchup, and the overall game plan. Good communication is key.

3. Which lanes should typically leash?

Mid laners and bot lane duos are most commonly responsible for leashing. Top laners are generally too far away to provide an effective leash without sacrificing significant lane pressure.

4. Should I leash if I’m playing a scaling champion?

If you’re playing a champion that needs to scale quickly, you might prioritize getting to lane and farming over leashing. However, if your jungler is playing a champion that desperately needs a leash, a quick auto-attack or two might still be helpful.

5. How long should I leash for?

Ideally, you should only leash for a few auto-attacks, enough to give the jungler a head start. Don’t linger too long, as you risk falling behind in experience and gold.

6. What’s more important, leashing or warding?

It depends on the situation. If you suspect an early invade, warding is crucial. However, if your jungler is playing a champion that struggles with their early clear, leashing might be more important.

7. What if my jungler is invading level 1, should I help?

Absolutely! If your jungler is planning an early invade, your support is crucial to success. Coordinate with your team and be ready to fight.

8. Is it ever okay to steal the buff when leashing?

Never. Stealing the buff is extremely detrimental to your jungler and can severely impact their early game. It’s a surefire way to tilt your jungler and damage team morale.

9. What if I accidentally steal the buff while leashing?

Apologize profusely and offer to help them secure their next camp. Accidents happen, but it’s important to acknowledge the mistake and try to make amends.

10. Do jungle pets affect the need for a leash?

Yes, jungle pets have significantly altered jungle pathing and clear speeds. With some pets, some junglers clear much faster. So less leash or no leash is needed.

11. What does it mean to “Smite secure” the first buff?

“Smite securing” means the jungler uses their Smite ability at the end of the camp’s life to make sure the enemy cannot steal the buff.

12. Should I leash for a farming jungler?

Farming junglers can become very powerful, so it might still make sense. Communication with the team matters here.

13. What are the dangers of counter-jungling without a leash?

Without a leash, your jungler is vulnerable to early game skirmishes. Communication is key to being on the same page.

14. Is there a “correct” way to leash?

Yes, by performing a quick auto-attack or two that will not steal any experience. Then return to lane.

15. What if my team is behind, should I leash for my jungler?

If your team is behind, then it is crucial to know what the enemy jungler is doing. You could ward instead of leashing.

Hopefully, these FAQs and the information above will make your next game go smoothly! Good luck on the Rift. Remember, Games Learning Society emphasizes the strategic and learning aspects of gaming, contributing valuable insights into how games like League of Legends can enhance cognitive skills. Learn more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.