Currently, the League of Legends (LoL) version 12.22 has been updated across all servers worldwide. This version marks the beginning of the Pre-Season phase to prepare for the 13th season. In this phase, Riot Games has made significant adjustments to the Jungle role.
Changes to Jungle Items
In the 2022 League of Legends season, Jungle items consisted of 2 Daggers corresponding to 2 different Smite spells. In the Pre-Season 2023 phase, they have been replaced by 3 types of Jungle Spirits including: Fire Hound, Wood Dragon, and Wind Turtle.
In order, Fire Hound, Wood Dragon, and Wind Turtle will suit attacking, defensive, and versatile champions. All 3 Spirits gradually upgrade based on the number of jungle monsters defeated. Upon reaching the cumulative milestone of 40, they provide Jungle players with interesting effects.
Faster Jungle Clearing Speed
With the assistance of the Spirits, the speed of jungle clearing has increased compared to Season 12. As the Spirit units deal strong area damage, Jungle players will complete their jungle rotation faster than before, ready for the contest over the Crab. Recently, “Demon King” Faker discovered that the champion Dr. Mundo only took 3 minutes to finish 6 jungle camps, 30 seconds before the Crab appeared (3:30).
Cannot Farm on 2 Jungle Camps Simultaneously
Previously, League of Legends players often found positions to farm 2 or 3 jungle camps at the same time. For example, the champion Fiddlesticks used this factor to attack the Blue Buff and the Croc to increase his power progression speed. However, jungle monsters in the Pre-Season have become impatient almost immediately after leaving their activity range. Therefore, players cannot farm 2 jungle camps in the upcoming season.
Difficulties in Leading Jungle Monsters
In League of Legends, Jungle players often use tricks to lead jungle monsters. They would guide them to move in the desired direction to conserve health and time traveling to the next jungle camp. However, Riot Games has improved the attack animations of jungle monsters, making it nearly impossible for players to lead jungle monsters as before.
Smite on Monsters No Longer Heals; Killing Jungle Monsters Provides Healing Stats
In the 2022 season, the Smite spell provided a certain amount of healing if players used it on monsters. As a result, Jungle players with Smite had increased confidence when participating in fights near jungle objectives. However, this spell will be changed in the Pre-Season 2023.
Now, players need to kill large monsters in the jungle camp to receive healing stats. Therefore, the Jungle position will be significantly affected in early-game skirmishes.
Riot Games Will Guide Optimal Jungle Paths
In the Pre-Season 2023, publisher Riot Games will assist players in finding the most optimal jungle paths. They have numbered the jungle camps to make it easier for new players to approach the game. This is a very useful feature for gamers who are new to League of Legends or have never played in the Jungle role before.
During the Pre-Season 2023 phase, Riot Games aims to differentiate the play styles of various Jungle champion groups. Additionally, they support new players in accessing the jungle more easily. Earlier this morning, the League of Legends version 12.22 was updated on the home server, and gamers can experience the Pre-Season phase right now.