The publisher of League of Legends – Riot Games has previously shared: “We will be introducing many unconventional champions in the Jungle role”. True to their promise, many new names will emerge in this position in the next patch with the Familiar Beast feature. Compared to the Jungle Knife equipment from Season 12, the Familiar Beast deals better area damage, allowing champions to clear jungle camps quickly. Now, let’s take a look at some unconventional Jungle champions that might appear in the Pre-Season 2023 patch.
1. Sylas
Sylas has previously been played in the Jungle role, but Riot Games did not encourage this. The reason is that Sylas’s versatility in multiple positions complicates draft phases in tournaments. However, Sylas can perform quite well in the Jungle during the upcoming Pre-Season.
Sylas in the Jungle consumes a lot of health while his jungle clearing speed is relatively low in the early game. With the introduction of the Familiar Beast feature, it significantly improves this champion’s weaknesses. With just a bit of help from teammates to attack the buff target at level 1, the Chainbreaker can easily complete his jungle route. Now, Sylas players can maintain better health and enhance their power progression in the Jungle role. After that, this champion will shine in the mid-game once they have the necessary levels and items.
2. Nautilus
For a long time, Nautilus was not used in the Jungle position. With the Familiar Beast feature, the Depths Titan can make a comeback to the Summoner’s Rift in a new role.
The jungle clearing speed and ability to scale over time are two key factors that have made Nautilus rarely used in the Jungle role. First, Nautilus struggles with single-target jungle camps. Moreover, the Depths Titan’s champion quality interacts poorly as the game progresses. Now, with the Familiar Beast aiding jungle clearing, Nautilus can start at the Ancient Wraith camp or call for teammate assistance to attack one of the buffs. After reaching level 3, Nautilus can complete his subsequent jungle routes very quickly.
3. Galio
Galio has almost never been seen in the Jungle on the Summoner’s Rift. In Pre-Season 2023, the Colossal Guardian may be effectively utilized in the Jungle role.
Previously, Galio struggled with jungle clearing. His abilities had relatively long cooldowns in the early game, forcing players to use him primarily in the Mid Lane role. With the introduction of the Familiar Beast feature, Galio will see improvements in jungle clearing speed to enhance his power later on.
Similar to Nautilus, players often start with the Ancient Wraith camp or call for teammate assistance to attack one of the buffs. Combined with the Predator rune, Galio in the Jungle is an incredibly interesting choice for the Pre-Season 2023.
4. Yasuo – Yone
The Yasuo and Yone brothers share similar abilities, so we group them together. Both Yasuo and Yone have been able to play in the Jungle role in previous seasons, but their effectiveness was low. This duo has weaknesses such as: limited map pressure in the early game and vulnerability to ganks from opposing Jungle players.
However, the Yasuo/Yone duo has seen a significant increase in jungle clearing ability in the Pre-Season 2023. Therefore, they can maintain stable health levels to influence other lanes. Unfortunately, when players use Yasuo/Yone in the Jungle role, teammates will face significant pressure in the early game. In return, this duo will have a much more comfortable farming experience in the jungle compared to the solo lane role.
In addition to the five champions mentioned above, names like Warwick, Jax, Nasus, etc., have also seen significant power boosts in the Jungle role for Pre-Season 2023. Warwick is a prime example, as the Uncaged Beast will clear the Ancient Wraith and Dark Wolves camps much faster.