The Jungler is the most influential role in League of Legends. It is important that at least 1 person on your team keeps track of the whereabouts of the enemy jungler. Usually it is the job of your jungler to do so, however in solo queue that is not always the case. At some points you must take matters into your own hands. However with 1 simple ward you can easily and safely assume where the enemy jungler is, and warn your teammates accordingly.

Wards Placement:

The three areas in the picture below are frequented by the enemy jungler. It is best to ward the nearest one to you. I recommend that you do your best to ward these in between minion waves. It is also best to have an idea of where the jungler is and if they’ll be able to catch you out by the time you have warded. example: The best time for an ADC to ward their corresponding ward place is when the jungler has just ganked top or has been spotted in the top side jungle. You’ll want to keep your support nearby and let your team know so they may react faster if you are caught out, or have caught an enemy out while warding.

Communication is really important when it comes to these wards. It is safer not to trust that your teammates will be watching your warded area. So if you spot the enemy jungler, you’ll want to ping and let your team know. The relieved pressure can easily secure a kill or objective. It can also gives security to a behind laner, and allow them to safely catch up in farm. In this way you are helping your team and yourself. With these wards, counter jungling can feel safer and easier. If you know the enemy jungler is about to get the Krugs’ Camp, you can easily take their blue side camps or knab the Dragon

Tracking Their Backings:

Be sure to keep an eye out for the enemy jungler’s backs. It is extremely helpful to know when a jungler is probably backing. Say they successfully or unsuccessfully gank, and you notice they’re low enough to either have to back or take a small camp. With that information you may assume that they won’t be able to gank or contest objectives for around 45 seconds. You can let your team know and relieve all jungle pressure for that amount of time. Use this information to your advantage to take objectives and ensure successful ganks.

It is important that if the jungler ganked near a red buff, and if you’re nearby you most likely can contest the buff. Red buff smite restores HP and is a great way to delay backs. If the enemy jungler takes advantage of this, you can easily contest the buff and put them further behind or land a kill. A lot of insight and assuming is needed when deciding to invade. You must be sure that their team won’t be able to catch you out. This is the case in any forms of invading. It is especially safe to invade if nearby enemy laners have backed or been killed.

The River Spirit:

The Wolves’ smite buff(River Spirit) is a very power sight advantage. It detects any enemies invading on your blue side of the jungle with a small amount of unkillable vision. This vision lasts for a short time(75 seconds), but creates pressure that the enemy can only wait out. You may also smite and steal the vision buff from the enemy’s jungle. This gives you the sight advantage as well as great pressure on the enemy jungler. They can either enter their blue side, revealing them to your team and relieve any pressure on the corresponding red side. No matter what, you’ll know what side of the jungle the enemy jungler is on. But you must remember that the River Spirit only lasts 75 seconds. It’s usually helpful to place a ward after you steal wolves. Remember always to be cautious during any invasion.

Scuttle Crab:

The Scuttle Crab is a great sight advantage for you team. Early game it puts a lot of pressure on the enemy team when they attempt to take the Dragon. The Scuttle Crab buff is unkillable vision and gives you an upper hand when attempting to contest the Dragon buff. It is important to take advantage of the movement speed buff that the Scuttle buff gives you. It greatly helps in chasing out a Dragon contest, and improves your mobility during invasion attempts or river ganks. Remember that Scuttle buff only lasts 60 seconds, so make every second count.

The Scuttle Crab buff is also an excellent way to stop or delay river ganks. Having the vision in that section of the river either forces the enemy jungler to go around the river, or reveal themselves by walking through it. This advantage supports your team if they have a good eye on the mini map. It’ll warn them before their wards--if any-- spot the jungler. Giving them more time to escape and more time for you or another ally to set up a counter gank.

Remember that there are things that your wards see outside of their sight. You can safely make assumptions on the whereabouts of more than just the jungler with your carefully placed wards. If you can keep track of the enemy’s HP and time their backs, you can accomplish a lot without the enemy contesting. Also don’t forget to announce your knowledge to your teammates. The communication not only improves your experience, but your teammates as well.

This has been my insight on tracking enemy junglers. Please remember that it does take a lot of practice and effort to execute these tips in game. While the educated assumptions are probable, they’re not always correct. It’s always important to have good communication and a backup plan if things seem too risky. I hope this article was a helpful experience to you and your gameplay. Please share the techniques and tips you use to track enemy players with your fellow summoners! And if you have any questions or additional tips, please share in the comments below!