How the jungle has changed in the 2021 preseason patch 10.23

The League of Legends preseason tradition continues with transformative jungle modifications that redefine the role’s core mechanics and strategic approach.

Patch 10.23 introduces comprehensive changes affecting both jungle inhabitants and equipment systems. Riot Games has fundamentally redesigned the mandatory jungle item requirement while preserving the strategic diversity of Smite enhancements that define jungle specialization.

Additional adjustments target all neutral camp creatures, specifically addressing the dominance of ranged junglers who could previously kite monsters with minimal damage taken. This tactic proved exceptionally powerful during the 2020 competitive season, enabling marksman-style junglers to maintain healthy clear speeds.

This comprehensive analysis examines how these modifications will impact jungle gameplay, pathing efficiency, and champion viability for the upcoming competitive season.

The most significant jungle transformation involves the complete restructuring of starting items. Previously, junglers selected from specialized items that enhanced Smite capabilities while providing essential statistics for efficient camp clearing.

Season 11 eliminates these dedicated jungle items entirely, allowing junglers to construct standard equipment identical to other roles. The surviving options are Hailblade and Emberknife, both available for purchase at level 1.

Both starter items contain sufficient statistics for early jungle navigation and automatically consume themselves after five Smite activations. Following consumption, the player’s Smite transforms into either Chilling Smite or Challenging Smite based on their initial selection.

Hailblade represents the new equipment that converts standard Smite into Chilling Smite. This enhanced version can target enemy champions, applying a 20% movement speed reduction while dealing 20-156 true damage based on level.

The item costs 350 gold and provides multiple benefits: Omnivamp against monsters, damage-over-time effects to camps, mana regeneration in jungle and river areas, plus bonus experience for each large monster elimination. It serves as the ideal initial purchase for jungle specialists.

Hailblade excels for champions requiring additional utility. While Chilling Smite delivers moderate damage, its slowing effect proves invaluable for securing kills and controlling engagements.

Emberknife shares identical statistics with Hailblade but transforms into Challenging Smite instead. This variant benefits damage-focused champions seeking maximum offensive output.

When applying Challenging Smite to an opponent, it marks them for four seconds. During this duration, the jungler’s attacks and abilities inflict 48-125 bonus true damage over 2.5 seconds while reducing incoming damage from the marked target by 20%.

This Smite variation perfectly suits assassin-style champions like Rengar and Kha’Zix who specialize in burst damage elimination.

The redesigned item system facilitates alternative build patterns since junglers no longer depend on expensive specialized items during early game phases.

All neutral jungle creatures received calibrated adjustments in patch 10.23 to promote role balance. Riot’s primary focus involved elevating movement velocities across all camps, preventing players from kiting monsters without sustaining significant damage.

Additionally, armor and magic resistance values underwent recalibration on most camps by eliminating scaling mechanics. Numerous camps experienced minor modifications to health pools and gold rewards.

Among the more substantial modifications, Riot implemented a system where Rift Scuttler spawns with a 60% maximum health shield. This protective barrier breaks when the Scuttler suffers crowd control effects. To maintain equilibrium, the Scuttler no longer provides health and mana restoration upon defeat.

The healing previously granted by Rift Scuttler elimination has been transferred to Gromp, ensuring both jungle sides benefit from sustain mechanics. Gromp now restores health and mana when defeated and no longer possesses enhanced damage on its initial three attacks. These changes significantly improve accessibility and value when eliminating Gromp.

Riot will continue monitoring and fine-tuning preseason modifications until Season 11 commences in early 2021.

Success in the redesigned jungle demands strategic adaptation. The increased movement speed of monsters penalizes inefficient kiting while rewarding proper positioning and ability usage. Understanding the new camp mechanics separates competent junglers from exceptional ones.

Optimal Pathing Adjustments: With Gromp providing sustain previously available from Rift Scuttler, pathing routes require recalibration. Consider prioritizing Gromp after initial clears when health and mana resources diminish.

Smite Management: Carefully track your Smite usage since both starter items consume after five activations. Strategic Smite conservation becomes crucial for securing objectives and maintaining clear efficiency.

Champion Selection Considerations: The changes rebalance the viability between melee and ranged junglers. While ranged champions can still kite effectively, the increased monster movement speed reduces the margin for error significantly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Don’t underestimate the Rift Scuttler shield – ensure you have crowd control abilities available before engaging. Avoid wasting Smite charges on small camps when approaching the five-use threshold.

Advanced Optimization: Master the timing between Smite transformations and item power spikes. The flexibility in build paths enables creative itemization but requires deeper game knowledge. For comprehensive jungle strategies, consult our Complete Guide to maximize your effectiveness.

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