Weird Picks #62: Ryze Jungle

Ryze is one of the all-time favorites in Korea and for good reason. His powerful late game burst damage combined with his durability results in an extremely potent AP caster, typically played as a mid or top lane champion. However, Ryze jungle is surprisingly effective with his fast mid-game clears and excellent point-and-click two-second root (with Flux on).

Introduction

Ryze is one of the all-time favorites in Korea and for good reason. His powerful late game burst damage combined with his durability results in an extremely potent AP caster, typically played as a mid or top lane champion. However, Ryze jungle is surprisingly effective with his fast mid-game clears and excellent point-and-click two-second root (with Flux on).

How to Play

Runes: Ability Power Quints, Magic Penetration Reds, Flat Armor Yellows, Flat Magic Resist Blues
Masteries: 12-18-0, Thunderlord Masteries
Abilities: E, Q, W, then prioritize Q > R > E > W
Core Items: Archangel's Staff, Rod of Ages, Stalker's Blade - Enchant: Runic Echoes, Ionian Boots, Void Staff, Rabadon's Deathcap

Why It Works

Very Reliable Crowd Control For Ganks

As mentioned above, Ryze's E + W combo allows for a quick and inescapable two second root. This is one of the strongest early game snares in the game and makes for almost guaranteed summoner spell usage, if not outright kills.

Excellent AP Jungle Diversity
The majority of AP based jungelers are hard-engage types like Zac, Amumu, and Sejuani. As a result, they do not do very well in poke and kite compositions. Meanwhile, Ryze fits well into a variety of different compositions, and becomes tanky enough late game to represent a pseudo-frontline as well.

Fast Mid-Game Clears
After picking up your Runic Echoes enchant, Ryze clears the jungle extremely fast, especially if he can retain usage of blue buff. In the present meta, champions like Yasuo and Zed are extremely popular, so this may not be as difficult as it sounds.

Potential Pitfalls

Weak to Early Game Counter-jungling
Ryze is fairly reliant on blue buff for his first clear, so if you get counter-jungled there then early game can be quite a pain. Try not to pick Ryze jungle into a Nidalee, Lee Sin or Rengar. If you do, then make sure you have excellent ward coverage and a good leash.

Off-Meta
Personally, I think being off meta is a pro rather than a con, but playing off-meta champion + role combinations means that if your team loses, then you will probably get the brunt of the blame even if it clearly wasn't your fault.

Conclusions

Ryze jungle is a fairly effective AP jungler, and is a good substitute for all-in engage champions if you are playing a Jayce/Varus mid compositions. However, be careful of invades as that will set you back tremendously.

Make sure to take advantage of his early game gank potential, especially against high mobility late game champions before they get all their spells.

Suggested Rating: High Tier 3

What do you think about the Ryze Jungle? Comment below!

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