The jungle is undoubtedly the most important position on the rift, and G2 jungler Jankos predicts that the importance of jungle champions will significantly shift at LoL Worlds 2022.
Since the majority of the Playoffs are being played on patch 12.15, several changes that are in the live game have not yet had an impact on professional play.
For instance, Nami’s E won’t again trigger Electrocute on its own, dramatically decreasing Lucian/strength Nami’s and perhaps lowering priority on the lane. However, the function of jungle will likely be the one that is most impacted.
Both patches 12.16 and 12.17 introduced significant adjustments to the meta champs as well as significant bonuses. Jankos from G2 had some ideas on how the jungle might change before Worlds 2022 based on these patches.
G2 Jankos’s opinion:
While Poppy’s “deadge” status would undoubtedly alter the pro play meta when it comes to picks, Jankos’ list of junglers that will be meta was equally compelling.
My prediction? Hecarim will be meta, Maokai will be meta, Sejuani will be meta. Olaf, maybe, in some niche cases if some people really want to risk it.
Jankos
Sejuani is the only champion on that list who has enjoyed recent professional success, and she has primarily played top laner since the Summer Split began.
If Jankos is correct in his prediction, the jungle metagame at Worlds will be quite different. Why is he so sure that this collection of champions will establish the meta?
Jankos gave an explanation of why Olaf might show up. Sejuani and Trundle are tried and proven choices that haven’t seen many changes, so they’re likely to endure. However, Hecarim and Maokai appear to be wild cards.
Massive adjustments were made to Maokai’s kit, however, the W was left off. He has greater damage, stronger jungle sustain, better jungle clear, and better ult gank potential. Maokai is on course to develop into a very skilled jungler.
Hecarim has been reintroduced to the meta despite some nerfs from a set of adjustments. He has a lot more stamina and is considerably more resilient than before.
The improved tankiness on his W and the modifications to the way his W stacks will put this quick jungler back into the meta on the big stage even though he may do less damage than previously.