Ezreal in the jungle used to be an incredibly strong playstyle in League of Legends in previous years, especially with this champion’s high single-target damage. Moreover, his ability to gank from level 2 is a significant advantage, creating many opportunities for early snowballing. However, with nerfs and changes in the game meta, Ezreal in the jungle gradually disappeared, only making a comeback in the recent patch 10.12 as both professional players and jungle streamers began to adopt him.
The primary reason for this comeback lies in the previous ADC update, where Riot Games buffed Ezreal’s health stats specifically and other ADCs in general. For Ezreal in the jungle, this stat is crucial as it allows him to clear the first camps with significantly less health. Consequently, the chances of successfully early ganking have increased considerably.
Furthermore, most jungle meta champions are melee champions, which Ezreal can kite very easily, completely negating their dueling advantage. Additionally, tanky champions like Maokai and Trundle are making a comeback, and they fear being kited, which is why champions like Graves, Kindred, and Ezreal are increasingly favored again for this reason.
The rune setup for Ezreal in the jungle is essentially not much different from the ADC position, with the Conqueror rune being the best choice. Other options like Triumph, Legend: Attack Speed, or Coup de Grace in the Precision tree are always optimal for this champion. In the secondary tree, the Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight runes provide significant economic and power advantages that Ezreal needs.
In terms of items, besides the Warrior Enchantment, other essential items for Ezreal in the jungle include Iceborn Gauntlet and Blade of the Ruined King. The most unique aspect of Ezreal in the jungle is that you will not invest points in the W – Essence Flux skill as it does not affect jungle monsters. Even if you want to gank early at level 3, investing 2 points in Q – Mystic Shot will be significantly stronger than putting 1 point into W.
The playstyle of Ezreal will be quite similar to Graves or Kindred, as you will be the main damage dealer for your team in the mid-game to compensate for the ADC’s lack of items at this stage. As the game progresses, Ezreal’s power diminishes since he lacks crowd control in team fights, and you will only have damage. Therefore, it’s essential to call upon your teammates to pick off enemies before engaging in direct fights.
In conclusion, Ezreal in the jungle is making a comeback in patch 10.12 largely due to his effectiveness against many currently popular jungle champions, while also offering early damage. If you are a skilled player looking for a nuanced champion to handle, Ezreal in the jungle is the perfect playstyle for you.