The Cheapest Jungler in League of Legends: Budget-Friendly Ganking

So, you’re looking to dominate the jungle but your Blue Essence stash is looking a little…thin? Fear not, aspiring jungler! The absolute cheapest junglers in League of Legends, cost-wise, are Amumu, Annie, Ashe, Dr. Mundo, Garen, Kayle, Master Yi, and Nunu. These champions all clock in at the incredibly low price of 450 Blue Essence, making them exceptionally accessible to new players or those looking to expand their champion pool on a budget.

However, let’s dive deeper than just the initial cost. Being “cheap” isn’t just about the BE price tag. It’s also about how effectively these champions can impact the game, how easy they are to learn, and how much “bang for your buck” you get in terms of gameplay and viability. Let’s unpack each champion and why they’re a great option for a budding jungler.

• Amumu: The Sad Mummy

  Amumu is a classic AP tank jungler, known for his devastating teamfight engage with his ultimate, Curse of the Sad Mummy. He’s very beginner-friendly, requiring less mechanical skill and more understanding of positioning and timing. While he is set to receive updates to his kit, the overall impact of Curse of the Sad Mummy will remain relevant. His clear speed can be a bit slow early on, so learning efficient jungle pathing is key.

• Annie: The Dark Child

  While typically played as a mid-laner, Annie can be surprisingly effective in the jungle, particularly at lower elos. Her Disintegrate ability helps with early clears, and her Molten Shield provides some survivability. The real power lies in her ganks. Flash + Tibbers, her summon ability, can easily one-shot unsuspecting carries, and her ability to stun with Pyromania gives her great crowd control. She requires some item investment to scale into the late game but can be a powerful burst mage jungler.

• Ashe: The Frost Archer

  Ashe isn’t a conventional jungler, and her effectiveness heavily relies on your skill level and the enemy composition. While she has no gap closer, her Enchanted Crystal Arrow, and her ability to scout the jungle with Hawkshot, makes her a viable option.

• Dr. Mundo: The Madman of Zaun

  Dr. Mundo is not a very efficient jungler, but he can be successful with a proper build and strategy. His Infected Cleaver will help clear the jungle when combined with his ultimate ability, Maximum Dosage.

• Garen: The Might of Demacia

  Garen is rarely picked as a jungler, but his Decisive Strike helps you move across the jungle. His Judgment is an efficient way to clear the camps. Garen’s ultimate ability, Demacian Justice, can also execute low-health enemies.

• Kayle: The Judicator

  Kayle is an unconventional jungler that has become popular in recent years. Her ability Radiant Plunge, helps her clear the jungle early on. Once you get level 6, her Holy Fervor allows her to do bonus damage to the camps as well as to champions. Her ultimate ability Divine Judgement allows her to provide an immunity to herself, and her ally.

• Master Yi: The Wuju Bladesman

  Master Yi is a hyper-carry melee jungler focused on dealing massive sustained damage. He’s incredibly easy to learn, revolving around auto-attacking, dodging crucial abilities with his Alpha Strike, and resetting with his ultimate, Highlander. However, he’s also easily countered by crowd control, so good positioning and timing are critical. He shines in lower elos where teams often lack coordination to shut him down. He is a feast-or-famine champion, and a competent Yi can solo carry games.

• Nunu & Willump: The Boy and His Yeti

  Nunu is a tanky AP jungler with a very strong objective control. Consume allows him to quickly secure objectives like dragons and Rift Herald, and his snowball, Biggest Snowball Ever! is great for ganking lanes. He’s relatively easy to pick up, focusing on ganking and snowballing advantages for his team. He’s a strong pick for players who prioritize team play and objective control.

Choosing the Right Cheap Jungler For You

Ultimately, the “best” cheap jungler depends on your playstyle and what you want to accomplish.

• For easy ganks and team fights: Amumu and Nunu are strong contenders.
• For Solo Carrying: Master Yi can be great at carrying with his high attack damage and Highlander reset.
• For Objective Control: Nunu is fantastic at securing objectives.
• For High-Burst Damage: Annie and a proper build will help you secure high-burst damage and ganks.

Expanding Your Knowledge

League of Legends is a complex game, and mastering the jungle role takes time and dedication. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different champions, watch professional players, and practice your skills in the practice tool. Consider also learning how to balance champion selection to fit your team’s needs.

If you’re interested in the educational aspects of gaming, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society. They delve into how games can be used for learning and development. You can find out more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about cheap junglers in League of Legends, designed to help you choose the right champion and improve your gameplay:

Is Master Yi a good jungler for beginners?

Yes, Master Yi is excellent for beginners. His kit is straightforward: right-click to attack, use Alpha Strike to dodge abilities and reposition, and activate Highlander to go on a killing spree. However, he is vulnerable to crowd control, so learning to position effectively is crucial.

How do I counter Master Yi in the jungle?

To counter Master Yi, prioritize crowd control. Champions with stuns, roots, and snares can shut him down easily. Focus fire him in teamfights and deny him resets. Consider purchasing items like Randuin’s Omen or Frozen Heart to reduce his attack speed.

What are the best jungle paths for Amumu?

A common jungle path for Amumu involves starting at the Blue buff, moving to Gromp, and then Wolves. Clear the Raptors before either ganking a lane, looking to take Rift Herald, or doing Red buff and Krugs. Adapt your path based on the enemy jungler and lane states.

How do I gank effectively as Nunu?

Nunu’s Biggest Snowball Ever! is your primary ganking tool. Charge it up in the river or behind the enemy lane and aim to knock them up. Coordinate with your laners to secure kills. Also, utilize your Visionary passive to provide your team with valuable vision.

What items should I build on Master Yi?

A typical Master Yi build includes Jungle Item (Bloodrazor or Devourer), Berserker’s Greaves, Guinsoo’s Rageblade, Blade of the Ruined King, Guardian Angel, and a situational item like Death’s Dance or Mortal Reminder.

Is Annie a viable jungler in higher elos?

Annie’s viability as a jungler in higher elos is debatable. While her burst damage can be impactful, she is susceptible to invades, which can shut her down early on. Additionally, her short range makes her ganks risky, especially against mobile champions. Players can make it work, but you will likely have to adapt your build and playstyle to the game.

What are the best runes for Nunu jungle?

Common rune choices for Nunu jungle include Aftershock for tankiness and crowd control, Predator for ganking power, or Phase Rush for mobility and escape.

How do I improve my jungle clear speed with Amumu?

To improve Amumu’s clear speed, focus on utilizing his Tantrum ability effectively and efficiently. Also, maximize your Despair ability by circling the camps effectively and doing your best to avoid damage.

What are some tips for playing Dr. Mundo in the jungle?

When playing Dr. Mundo in the jungle, focus on farming and scaling. Your early ganks may be weak, but as you level up and obtain items, you become a formidable force. Maximize Burning Agony for camp clear and use Infected Cleaver for kiting.

How do I counter-jungle effectively?

To counter-jungle effectively, understand the enemy jungler’s pathing and timings. Ward key areas of their jungle to track their movements. Invade when they are on the opposite side of the map or when you have a clear advantage. Steal camps and deny them experience and gold.

What is the importance of vision control in the jungle?

Vision control is essential for successful jungling. It allows you to track the enemy jungler, identify gank opportunities, and protect your lanes from invades. Place wards in strategic locations, such as river bushes, jungle entrances, and around objectives.

When should I gank a lane as a jungler?

Gank lanes when they are vulnerable, such as when the enemy laner is overextended or when your laner has crowd control. Consider the lane matchup and whether a successful gank is likely. Communicate with your laners before ganking to ensure they are ready to assist.

How do I manage my jungle camps effectively?

Managing your jungle camps effectively involves optimizing your clear speed and maximizing your experience and gold income. Prioritize camps based on their value and proximity to lanes you want to gank. Use abilities and auto-attacks efficiently and avoid taking unnecessary damage.

What is the role of the jungler in team fights?

The jungler’s role in team fights depends on the champion they are playing. Tank junglers should engage and peel for their carries. Damage-dealing junglers should focus on bursting down high-priority targets. Support junglers should provide crowd control and protect their allies.

How do I adapt my jungle pathing based on the game state?

Adapt your jungle pathing based on the game state. If your laners are winning, focus on securing objectives and applying pressure to other lanes. If your laners are losing, prioritize farming and ganking lanes that are most likely to be saved. Analyze the enemy jungler’s movements and adjust your pathing accordingly.

Hopefully, this article helps you find your way to becoming a budget-friendly, jungle-dominating force on the Rift! Good luck, and happy ganking!