Jungling: The Young Lizard Dilemma

When stealing an enemy buff camp all junglers are faced with a common dilemma; do you leave one Young Lizard behind to delay the camp's respawn, or do you clear the entire camp? The answer is far more complicated than one might think.

At face value leaving one creep alive is the best option. This forces the enemy jungler to spend extra time clearing for little gain, and delays when the buff will reappear. That delay means less uptime for those critical buffs, weakening the enemy. By simply sparing one creep the enemy's time and resources are both wasted.

However, that analysis does not account for the value of information. Whoever clears the camp gains knowledge of the precise moment it will respawn. That simple timing gives a jungler control, the power to be in the right place at the right time. Clearing the camp hurts the enemy jungler's efficiency by denying them that critical information, and creates the potential for back to back buff steals.

Before you jump to the conclusion that this is a simple tradeoff between impact and control, stop and consider that there are three additional buff camps on the map and wards that can be strategically placed. These factors take what would otherwise be a simple situation and make everything immensely more complicated.

The first complication is the effect wards have on information. If a jungler leaves a ward behind at a stolen buff camp they'll be able to observe when it is cleared and thus know the exact timing of its respawn. With a little effort a jungler can guarantee themselves complete information whether they choose to fully clear a camp or not.

Adding to the confusion is the presence of other buff camps. At any one time there are as many as four buffs up at once, and two junglers who can only be in one spot at a time. Depending on a jungler's goals for the game, their team composition, and other factors either staggered or simultaneous respawns could be preferable. For example, if a jungler is stealing a camp at the same time their opponent is at the other camp, clearing results in a simultaneous respawn. This puts pressure on the enemy as they can't protect both camps on their own. Alternatively if both junglers are stealing each other's camps, then leaving a creep behind can potentially provide better jungle control. Because that jungler's buff will respawn first they can be present to defend it and have the potential to contest their opponent's buff. Controlling the buff camps is a complex juggling act that taxes even the most mobile, fast-clearing junglers.

The combination of complete information and juggling multiple buffs shifts the question away from impact versus control to an intricate dance of timings and intentions. What's most important is managing buff respawns to fit ideally with your team's demands and capabilities, not the minor inconveniences to the enemy jungler. The answer to the dilemma is the option whose respawn timing fits into a greater plan for controlling the jungle.

If that's too much for you do not fear, even the best junglers have trouble managing all these timers and events. Something as simple as covering a lane can throw them off. If you aren't at a point where you can handle the complex decision making, don't worry about it. Pick whichever option you like and stick with it until you feel ready to tackle the juggling act.