Mastering Early Waves and Jungle Pathing (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from early-wave and jungle pathing strategies in League of Legends.

First five waves

The opening minion waves (waves 1–5) used to plan lane priority, wave control, ganks, and crab contests.

Push

To shove minions toward the enemy tower, creating lane pressure and increasing your XP/gold advantages by forcing a wave closer to their tower.

Fast two-wave crash

Crashing the second wave into the enemy tower as quickly as possible so the tower kills most of them and the third wave resets near the center.

Slow two-wave crash

Crashing the second wave later so the incoming wave gets caught and forms a slow push that stays near your side and returns to you.

Wave state

The current arrangement of minion waves in a lane (pushed, neutral, fast/slow) that determines where fights and ganks can happen.

Gank timer

Earliest opportunity for a jungle gank tied to wave timing, typically around wave 3.

Crab contest (scuttle crab)

A fight around the scuttle crab where both junglers contest the objective; wave state and vision influence the outcome.

Strong side

The lane where your jungler is pathing toward you; you can leverage this to set up ganks and build pressure.

Weak side

The lane where the enemy jungler is pathing away from you; prioritize safety and pushing to survive and deny invades.

Safe side

The lane side designated by vision where you play to minimize gank risk, often near your tower.

Ungankable

A lane state in which you cannot be easily ganked due to position, wave state, and warding.

Recall synchronization

Coordinating your recall time with your jungler’s recall to avoid being left on the map on the wrong side and to align with the second clear.

Ward timing between waves

Placing a ward after wave 2 but before wave 3 to reveal the enemy jungler’s approach and secure safety.

Ward on raptor camp

Warding the enemy raptor camp (typically level 1) to gain information about the enemy jungler’s pathing.

Cannon wave

A minion wave that includes a cannon minion; stronger and harder to push or defend against.

Center of lane (wave reset)

The position where the wave resets to the center of the lane after a fast two-wave crash, enabling quick re-push.