Patrick Oconnell
Executing a Level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan IV is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that can secure an early advantage in the game. This tactic relies on Jarvan’s strong Level 2 power spike, combined with his ability to engage and lock down enemies using his ultimate, *Cataclysm*. To pull it off, Jarvan and his jungler must coordinate perfectly, starting with Jarvan taking the first three minions in lane to reach Level 2 quickly. Meanwhile, the jungler clears their first camp and paths directly to the enemy lane. Once Jarvan hits Level 2, he uses his *Dragon Strike* and *Golden Aegis* to deal damage and close the gap, while the jungler arrives simultaneously to burst the enemy down. The gank is sealed with Jarvan’s *Cataclysm*, trapping the enemy and ensuring they cannot escape. Proper warding and communication are crucial, as failing to execute this strategy can leave both Jarvan and the jungler vulnerable. When done correctly, a Level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan can set the tone for the game, securing an early kill and lane dominance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Champion | Jarvan IV |
| Gank Level | Level 2 |
| Objective | Secure an early kill or burn summoner spells in the enemy lane |
| Required Abilities | Q (Dragon Strike), E (Demacian Standard), and passive (Martial Cadence) |
| Start Items | Hunter's Potion or Dark Seal (depending on matchup) |
| Pathing | Start at Red Buff, then immediately path to the target lane |
| Timing | Arrive in lane as the enemy laner is pushing or overextended |
| Execution | Use Q to gap close, then E to stun and zone the enemy, auto-attack with passive proc |
| Jungler Synergy | Optional: Coordinate with jungler for additional damage or CC |
| Risk Factor | High (requires precise timing and enemy mispositioning) |
| Counterplay | Enemy can ward, stay near tower, or use summoner spells defensively |
| Best Targets | Squishy or immobile laners (e.g., mages, ADC) |
| Map Awareness | Ensure no enemy jungler or mid laner is nearby to counter-gank |
| Follow-Up | Push the wave or invade enemy jungle if successful |
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What You'll Learn
- Pre-6 Power Spike: Abuse Jarvan’s early damage and CC to secure kills before enemy laners scale
- Jungle Pathing: Clear efficiently to hit level 2 faster, prioritizing buffs and ganking lanes sooner
- Flag Placement: Position your flag for maximum knock-up range and follow-up damage
- Lane Communication: Coordinate with laners to ensure they engage or draw enemy close for gank
- Post-Gank Follow-Up: Secure objectives like drake or rift herald after a successful cheese gank
Pre-6 Power Spike: Abuse Jarvan’s early damage and CC to secure kills before enemy laners scale
Jarvan IV's early game dominance is a well-known fact in League of Legends, and his level 2 power spike is a crucial window to exploit. With a combination of high base damage, crowd control (CC), and mobility, Jarvan can pressure the enemy laner and secure kills before they have a chance to scale. This aggressive playstyle requires precise timing, positioning, and coordination with your laner, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
To execute a successful level 2 cheese gank, start by prioritizing your Q (Dragon Strike) and E (Demacian Standard) abilities. At level 2, Jarvan has access to both abilities, allowing him to deal significant damage and slow the enemy laner. Look for an opportunity to gank the lane when the enemy laner is pushed close to their tower, and your laner has CC or damage to follow up. As you approach the lane, use your Q to deal damage and slow the enemy, then immediately follow up with your E to further slow and damage them. This combination should leave the enemy laner vulnerable to your laner's abilities, allowing you to secure a kill.
One effective strategy is to communicate with your laner beforehand, planning the gank around the enemy laner's cooldowns and positioning. For example, if the enemy laner is playing a champion with a short dash or escape ability, time your gank to coincide with the ability's cooldown. Additionally, consider the enemy jungler's position and pathing to minimize the risk of a counter-gank. By coordinating with your laner and tracking the enemy team's movements, you can increase your chances of success and minimize the risk of failure.
When executing the gank, be mindful of your positioning and the enemy laner's potential escape routes. Avoid over-extending and getting caught out by the enemy laner's CC or the enemy jungler. Instead, focus on maintaining a safe distance while still being able to land your abilities. If the enemy laner attempts to escape, use your ultimate (Cataclysm) to wall them off or slow them down, giving your laner more time to catch up and secure the kill. Remember, the goal is not only to secure a kill but also to create lane pressure and force the enemy laner to play more defensively.
In terms of specific numbers, aim to gank the lane around the 1:45-2:00 mark, when the enemy laner is likely to be at their most vulnerable. At this point, they will have used their starting pots and may be low on health, making them an easier target. Furthermore, consider the enemy laner's champion and playstyle when planning your gank. For example, if the enemy laner is playing a melee champion, they may be more susceptible to your CC and damage. By taking these factors into account, you can maximize your chances of success and secure an early lead for your team.
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Jungle Pathing: Clear efficiently to hit level 2 faster, prioritizing buffs and ganking lanes sooner
Efficient jungle pathing is the cornerstone of executing a level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan IV. The goal is simple: clear camps swiftly to reach level 2 before the enemy jungler, allowing you to gank a lane while they’re still clearing their second camp. Start on the buff closest to the lane you intend to gank—Red Buff for top or bottom side, Blue Buff for mid. Prioritize smiting the large monster in your first camp to maximize gold and experience efficiency. Skip the smaller monsters if they’ll delay your clear by more than a second; every moment counts when racing to level 2.
Your pathing should be deliberate and lane-focused. For example, if starting Red Buff, clear it and the adjacent Krugs or Raptors, then immediately head to the nearest lane. Avoid backtracking or clearing camps far from your gank target. Jarvan’s passive, Martial Cadence, helps burst down camps faster, so time your attacks to maximize its damage. If you’re invading, prioritize the buff closest to your gank lane to minimize travel time. Remember, the enemy jungler is likely following a standard route, so deviating from theirs gives you the element of surprise.
A common mistake is overcommitting to a full clear. Resist the urge to finish every camp. Once you hit level 2, your priority shifts to ganking. Use Jarvan’s EQ (Dragon Strike + Demacian Standard) combo to engage, locking down the enemy laner with your ultimate, Cataclysm, if necessary. Coordinate with your laner beforehand—a well-timed ability or ward can make the difference between a successful gank and a wasted attempt.
To refine your pathing, study the spawn timers and locations of jungle camps. For instance, if starting Blue Buff, you can clear it and Wolves, then immediately gank mid before the enemy jungler finishes their second camp. Practice this route in custom games to internalize the timing. Tools like jungle tracking mods or in-game timers can help, but muscle memory is key. The faster you clear, the sooner you pressure lanes, and the greater your chances of securing an early lead.
In conclusion, mastering jungle pathing for a level 2 cheese gank requires precision, practice, and lane synergy. Focus on buffs, minimize travel time, and prioritize ganking over a full clear. Jarvan’s kit excels in early aggression, so leverage his abilities to secure kills or summoners. By optimizing your route and timing, you’ll consistently outpace the enemy jungler, setting the tone for a dominant early game.
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Flag Placement: Position your flag for maximum knock-up range and follow-up damage
In a level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan IV, flag placement is the linchpin of success. The flag isn’t just a tool—it’s your setup, your follow-up, and your escape. Position it at the edge of the enemy’s experience range, just outside their tower, to maximize the knock-up distance of your *Cataclysm*. This ensures the enemy laner is stunned far enough from safety, giving you and your laner ample time to burst them down before they can react.
Consider the terrain and minion waves when placing your flag. If the enemy is pushed toward their tower, drop the flag slightly closer to the river, angling it to pull them toward your jungler or laner. This creates a natural funnel for follow-up damage. Conversely, if the wave is frozen near their tower, position the flag deeper into their lane to force a longer stun duration. The goal is to disrupt their positioning while minimizing their ability to flash or dash out of harm’s way.
A common mistake is placing the flag too close to the enemy, reducing the knock-up range and giving them an escape window. Always visualize the arc of *Cataclysm* before committing. If the enemy is near their tower, aim to knock them toward the side walls of the lane, not directly under the turret, to avoid unnecessary damage. Practice this in training mode to internalize the flag’s optimal range—roughly 800 units from Jarvan when casting *Cataclysm*.
Pair flag placement with ability sequencing for maximum impact. Start with *Dragon Strike* to close the gap, then immediately drop the flag and activate *Cataclysm*. Follow up with *Demacian Standard* inside the arena for attack speed and *Golden Aegis* to reposition or secure the kill. Proper flag placement ensures this combo lands without interruption, turning a risky gank into a guaranteed kill.
Finally, remember that flag placement isn’t static—it adapts to the enemy’s positioning and your team’s setup. Communicate with your laner to coordinate the gank timing, ensuring they’re ready to proc electrocute or land their own CC. A well-placed flag doesn’t just secure a kill; it sets the tone for lane dominance, snowballing your team’s early game advantage. Master this, and level 2 ganks become less about cheese and more about calculated precision.
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Lane Communication: Coordinate with laners to ensure they engage or draw enemy close for gank
Effective lane communication is the linchpin of a successful level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan. Without precise coordination, even the most well-timed gank can fall apart. The goal is to ensure your laner engages or baits the enemy into a position where your ultimate, *Cataclysm*, can trap and secure a kill. Start by pinging your intended path and timing in the pre-game lobby or through quick chat commands like “On my way” or “Enemy missing.” This initial signal alerts your laner to prepare for the gank, whether by pushing the wave or feigning aggression to draw the enemy closer.
Consider the champion matchup in the lane you’re ganking. For example, if your top laner is playing a high-damage champion like Darius or Renekton, instruct them to use a single ability to poke the enemy without committing fully. This creates the illusion of a fair trade, enticing the enemy to step forward. Conversely, if your laner is a ranged champion like Quinn or Jayce, have them auto-attack the enemy from a safe distance to slowly whittle their health, making the gank more lethal. The key is to manipulate the enemy’s positioning without triggering their suspicion.
Timing is critical, and it’s your responsibility as the jungler to communicate when to act. Use the stopwatch ping (alt + right-click) to signal the exact moment your laner should engage or disengage. For instance, if you’re approaching from the river, ping the stopwatch when you’re 2 seconds away from entering the lane. This gives your laner a clear cue to initiate or bait the enemy into your path. Misaligned timing can lead to a wasted gank or, worse, a counter-kill, so practice this rhythm in normals until it becomes second nature.
Finally, leverage the element of surprise by muting pings during your approach. Many players instinctively back off when they see a jungler moving toward their lane, so avoid pinging excessively. Instead, rely on pre-established signals and trust your laner to follow the plan. After the gank, debrief quickly—what worked, what didn’t, and how you can improve next time. This iterative process sharpens your coordination and increases the likelihood of future successes. Remember, a level 2 cheese gank thrives on synergy, and clear, concise communication is the glue that holds it together.
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Post-Gank Follow-Up: Secure objectives like drake or rift herald after a successful cheese gank
A successful level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan IV can set the tone for the entire game, but its true impact hinges on what you do next. Securing objectives like Drake or Rift Herald immediately after the gank amplifies your lead, translating early pressure into long-term map control. Here’s how to maximize your advantage.
Step 1: Assess the Map State
After the gank, quickly evaluate enemy positions and cooldowns. If the enemy jungler is bot side and your team has vision control mid to top, prioritize Rift Herald. If they’re top and your bot lane can handle a 4v2, Drake becomes the target. Use pings and chat to communicate your intent clearly—hesitation wastes precious seconds.
Step 2: Leverage Jarvan’s Kit
Jarvan’s ultimate, *Cataclysm*, is a game-changer for objective control. Use it to zone enemies or trap them during the objective take. For Rift Herald, position your wall to block enemy vision or escape routes. For Drake, time your ultimate to engage or disengage as needed. Pair this with *Demacian Standard* to heal and sustain during the fight, ensuring you stay healthy for prolonged contests.
Caution: Avoid Overcommitting
While securing objectives is crucial, don’t sacrifice your team’s safety. If the enemy jungler is nearby or lanes are pushing dangerously, prioritize wave clear or backing off. A lost fight after a successful gank can negate your early lead. Always weigh the risk-reward ratio before committing to an objective.
Pro Tip: Ward and Track
Before moving to an objective, place deep wards in the enemy jungle to track their movements. Control wards near the objective pit provide vision during the take, preventing ambushes. If you’re low on health or mana after the gank, consider backing quickly to ensure you’re at full strength for the objective fight.
Securing Drake or Rift Herald post-gank isn’t just about gold or buffs—it’s about establishing dominance. Rift Herald grants a powerful siege tool, while Drake provides permanent combat stats. By chaining these objectives, you force the enemy into a reactive position, dictating the pace of the game. Master this follow-up, and your level 2 cheese gank becomes a launching pad for victory.
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Frequently asked questions
A Level 2 cheese gank with Jarvan is a strategy in League of Legends where Jarvan IV, along with his jungler or another teammate, attempts to secure an early kill on the enemy laner at Level 2. This is typically done by combining Jarvan's Flag (E) and Cataclysm (R) abilities to stun and isolate the target, allowing for an easy kill.
To set up a Level 2 cheese gank, start by taking your first camp (usually Red or Blue Buff) and then immediately path towards the lane you intend to gank. Coordinate with your laner to push the wave towards the enemy, giving you a better opportunity to catch them off guard. Use your Flag (E) to close the gap, followed by Cataclysm (R) to stun and isolate the target.
The key abilities are Flag (E) and Cataclysm (R), as they provide the necessary engage and stun. You don't need any specific items for this strategy, but starting with a damage item like Doran's Blade or a jungler's item like Hunter's Talisman can help increase your damage output. Communication with your team and proper timing are more crucial than items.
Common mistakes include poor timing, lack of coordination with your laner, and overestimating your damage. Ensure your laner is pushing the wave and that you time your gank when the enemy is in a vulnerable position. Also, be aware of the enemy jungler's position to avoid counter-ganks. Lastly, don't forget to use your summoner spells (like Flash or Ignite) if necessary to secure the kill.
