Jungling: Super Fast Ganks

I am remiss for failing to discuss my recent video on super fast ganks. There are a number of important points to be made about the ganking path explored in the video and how it shapes your jungling.

What makes this route compelling is fairly obvious. It's a double-buff, level 3 gank which comes so absurdly fast that even solo lanes may still be level 1. In the video Ashe Bot is only level 2 because she mindlessly pushed through the first two creep waves. The advantage of having both buffs and all of your abilities during a gank, which comes right as most lanes look to start skirmishing, is monumental.

This route fills the time gap between the common level 2 and level 4 ganks nicely, and combines many of the best features of both. Unlike a level 2 gank both of your buffs have been secured, so the cost of being counter-jungled is minimal. Unlike level 4 ganks your targets often haven't had time to invest in their escape abilities. While not flawless, it's a powerful tool to place in a jungler's arsenal.

The use of Karthas, a fairly controversial jungler, was an intentional choice designed to highlight the universality of this route. You don't have to play Nunu to use this route, or for it to be so ridiculously fast. Any jungler given a sufficient leash to save Smite for the second buff camp can follow this route. The only requirement is a little extra help from your team.

When I employ this route my goal is typically to snowball a sidelane. While you can gank middle with this route, the short lane ensures an earlier level 2 and easier escapes; if my goal was to snowball mid I'd rather do a faster level 2 gank. Whether the gank succeeds or fails you'll still have nearby camps you can clear before making a second pass, making this setup ideal for camping a lane.

The biggest threat to this route is a Smite steal at your first buff. This was actually employed by SK during the EU Regionals to shut down CLG's jungler. On top of the Smite steal they sent their team to secure CLG's other buff as well. While you're not likely to encounter a counter-jungling strategy of that level in solo queue, it's a danger to consider.

Super fast ganking is an important tool to have in your arsenal as a jungler. Practice it both with help and without, and then use it demolish unsuspecting lanes. While professional teams have been employing this method for months now, people still don't seem to expect it in solo queue.