It seems that the new Fighters and Assassins that Riot “moved to the jungle” in patch 10.4 have yet to find their place, as the top names on this list are still traditional jungle champions. They not only excel in their jungle roles in the current patch but have also consistently affirmed their positions in the jungle meta across many different patches.
1. Elise
Elise has become a dominant force in the jungle since the changes to jungle experience and other adjustments in the early part of season 10. Coming into patch 10.4, it’s no surprise that she continues to lead the top 5 strongest jungle champions with a pick rate of 17.07% and a win rate of 50.65%.
Her early game abilities combined with synergy for ganking with most mid and top lane champions allow Elise to snowball lanes very early from level 3. She can also execute turret dives in both top and bot lanes using E – Rappel and retreat safely without needing to use the Flash summoner spell.
The only nerf Elise received in patch 10.4 was a minor indirect nerf increasing the cost of Zhonya’s Hourglass by 50 Gold for all players. Unless she receives a direct nerf in the future or AP jungle items are weakened, she will remain one of the strongest jungle champions of season 10.
2. Rek’Sai
Similar to Elise, Rek’Sai has incredible early game power and an amazing skill set that synergizes well with nearly every laner. The crowd control ability using the Flash + Burrow (W) combo gives the laner a huge kill potential and can help the team get ahead very early.
Rek’Sai also has great solo target potential early game, giving her team an advantage if they can control the lower half of the map. At level 6, she can set up turret dives with her ultimate and retreat safely without expending too many resources for herself or her teammates. If she isn’t directly nerfed or weakened indirectly through jungle items, Rek’Sai will continue to firmly sit at the top of the list of strongest jungle champions.
3. Sejuani
The biggest change in patch 10.4 is perhaps the return of tank junglers with buffs to Bami’s Cinder, Locket of the Iron Solari, and Sunfire Aegis. Combine this with the two consecutive buffs that Sejuani received in previous patches, and it’s no surprise to see her return to the meta.
Sejuani’s jungle clear speed has noticeably improved just after the first 900 Gold. Her synergy with melee champions also allows her to take down major objectives like Dragon and Rift Herald easily. Above all, her excellent tankiness combined with a kit full of crowd control effects allows Sejuani to contribute significantly in prolonged team fights.
4. Jarvan IV
Always one of the best choices in the jungle, it’s no surprise that Jarvan IV is once again rising prominently in the meta, especially after the buffs to Locket of the Iron Solari. Combined with the Conqueror rune, Jarvan IV acts as an incredibly sturdy frontline for teammates to comfortably deal damage from the back.
Besides being able to set up team fights late game with the E + Q combo and his ultimate R – Dragon’s Rage, Jarvan IV also creates excellent synergy with strong champions in the current meta like Miss Fortune, Rumble, and Galio. With just one perfectly timed wombo combo, he can easily change the tide of the game.
5. Olaf
Recently, as everyone is putting Soraka and Sona in the top lane, Olaf has inadvertently benefited as he is a very effective counter to this new playstyle. With the nerfs that the two new Support champions received in patch 10.4, this does not mean he is no longer a powerful jungle champion in the meta.
With his kit allowing him to chase down the enemy team’s carries – those who misposition or are isolated from their teammates – Olaf can create a significant threat in team fights around major objectives. In fact, he can easily secure these objectives by combining his Smite and Reckless Swing (E) combo. With a current win rate of up to 52.06%, players should definitely add him to their jungle champion pool today to climb the ranks quickly.