Kha’Zix is undoubtedly the most powerful Solo Carry Jungler in League of Legends. Yes, some of you might disagree with that, but I cannot back away from how strong this Champion can get.
For multiple Seasons now, Kha has comfortably sat at the S+ tier position on most tier lists around the League of Legends community. It is universally agreed upon that Kha’Zix is intimidating, immensely potent, and efficient Jungler, among other things.
This predator Assassin comes with versatility, flexibility, and mobility. There’s a ton to unpack here, and it does become rather tedious to figure everything out by yourself.
That’s where this guide comes in. Here, we will explain the best Jungle paths to take with Kha in simple terms. They will allow you to fully utilize his kit and playstyle and get the most out of the Jungle in a quick spell.
We will also go over some details about the Champion himself, his builds, runes, etc. As I’ve said, there is a ton to learn about this Champion.
So, with the introduction out of the way, let’s start with the guide.
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The Best Runes for Kha’Zix in Season 12
These runes will give you maximum damage and mobility while in the Jungle.
Dark Harvest is a Rune I’ve extensively detailed in some of our other lists, and Kha’Zix rules supreme when it comes to its utilization. If you aren’t quite fond of this Rune, picking up Electrocute would also be nice.
Sudden Impact will give you extra damage after you use your E jump.
Eyeball Collection and Ravenous Hunter provide you with damage and Omnivamp with each kill you get. They truly allow you to experience Kha’Zix as a character.
Absolute Focus and Waterwalking are there for extra damage and movement speed while around the river.
Best Items for Kha’Zix in Season 12
With Kha’Zix, you’ll just be starting as a regular Jungler with a Blue Smite and Refillable Potion.
If there is no need to fill in a Bruiser gap and you just want to dish out as much damage as possible, this is the build for you. It’s best when you want to focus on the “pick-off” playstyle, i.e., get quick in-and-out kills on squishy targets.
This is Kha’Zix’s standard build.
Kha’Zix can also be played as a Bruiser. However, this is not his standard build and is very situational. It can help you fill in the Tank gap in your team, as well as give you a ton more survivability against high damage rosters. Depending on their CC, AP and AD, you’ll pick up either Mercury or Plated Boots.
Recommended Skill Build
Your first level will be into your Q. Next, you’ll mostly go for W. If you’re planning an early invade, taking E would be a bit better. Q will be your first max, followed by W and, finally, E. The first evolve will be Q and then E. Depending on the situation, you can choose whether to evolve your W or Ultimate.
The Best Jungle Paths for Kha’Zix
Kha’Zix has, like all Champions we cover in this list, four viable Jungle Paths. Some are better, some worse, and we’re going to detail the differences in the following.
External factors greatly influence the path you’re going to take. Some of them are your team’s plans, the enemy’s positioning, where the enemy jungle starts, etc. When choosing the right path, you’ll have to calculate all of these and always be aware of the enemy’s positions, so you don’t get involuntarily killed.
Let’s start with the paths.
Red Side, Red Clear
This is the best path for Kha’Zix. Since he has a lot of mobility, you will have the opportunity to invade using your E. You can quickly clear the enemy’s Blue Buff and be at your own in no time. The Red Buff provides you with extra damage and a slow that can be best utilized in ganks. With the Red Buff, you can partake in ganks much earlier than you would otherwise, which is excellent for a mobile Champion like Kha’Zix.
Starting Red also has secondary benefits that are not directly tied to you. Your Bot Lane won’t be pulled into the Jungle to leash you, which will give them the chance to set up traps and ambushes for the enemy Bot Laners. They will likely arrive first into the Lane, if not at the same time as the enemy, and be at no apparent disadvantage.
However, since your Top Laner will be giving you a helping hand, the enemy will undoubtedly be aware of your position and try to use this against you. Always be aware of the enemy’s position, as they will undoubtedly be aware of yours.
After clearing the Red Buff Area, you can move into the Blue Buff, where you’ll be fighting Gromp and the Blue Buff simultaneously. Saving your Smite on Red would be a brilliant idea in previous patches. However, since the Scuttler gives almost no XP currently, it’s better not to waste a perfectly good Smite on it. You can use the Smite on Red. Just make sure you have another ready to get Gromp when fighting the two simultaneously.
Upon completing the clear, you can move into Mid or Bot, depending on the situation. Either way, if you can’t go, you can opt for an invasion or a recall, whichever suits you best. After recalling you’re as free as a bird to do whatever you can, and I suggest you focus on getting some kills and doing it quickly.
Red Side, Blue Clear
If you’re planning to make an early move into the Bot or Mid Lane, starting the Blue Buff isn’t a bad idea. However, since you’ll have no chance of fighting the Gromp and Blue Buff simultaneously, it will be a tad slower.
I don’t have to mention the fact that your Bot Lane will be pulled into the Jungle to help you. This will immediately alert the opposing Bot Lane, as well as their Jungler, that you might be nearby. Ganking under these circumstances might prove a bit difficult.
It isn’t a bad start per se, but it isn’t any better as an alternative to the previous one. Since Kha is so versatile, making a quick attempt for the enemy’s Red Buff if you see that they’re on the other side would be a great idea. It would give you the necessary tool for good ganks and allow you to go behind the enemy Bot Laners’ backs.
While there are great ways of making use of this path, the previous is a much better alternative.
Blue Side, Red Clear
Like with the Red Side Red Clear Path, you’ll be doing the exact same things. The only difference is that you’ll move into Top rather than Bot Lane. However, another variation might make Red Side Red Clear a better overall spawn and clear.
Here, you’ll be pulling your Bot Lane into helping you, which is not a good thing. The Blue Side is much more vulnerable on the Bottom part of the Map, and the enemies are bound to set up an ambush. If you can do it without Bot Lane’s help, that will make your position ambiguous and keep the Bot Laners safe.
You can then use the Red Buff to proceed into a gank on either Mid or Bot since both lanes, as well as the Jungler, are going to be utterly oblivious to your position.
Blue Side, Blue Clear
I’m not too fond of the Blue Clears, but the Blue Side one might not be that bad in Kha’s case. He can quickly clear the Blue Buff Area and invade the enemy’s Red if he figures out their position. Having your Support plop a sneaky ward around the Red Buff will keep you knowledgeable if the enemy Jungler lurks into your own parts of the Map.
The Blue Clear isn’t better than the Red one, but it definitely isn’t useless. You can make it work in many ways, and that’s just how Kha is.
Finalizing Thoughts
Kha’Zix is an excellent example of how a Jungler should be designed. He might be considered overpowered by some due to his severe damage, but that damage can easily be mitigated with some intelligent gameplay. In higher elos, at least, he is much more challenging to play since people know him so well.
In lower elo, Kha’Zix reigns supreme as the king of the Jungle and is the best Solo Queue Jungler you can pick. It will take you just a few games to get the hang of him, and there’s not too much complexity within his kit itself. It does take a while to get used to the Isolation mechanic, and utilizing it fully will take more than just a few games. However, it won’t take too long, and you’ll be decimating the enemies with this clawed bug in no time.
I hope you’ve found this guide helpful and informative, and I wish you all the best on the Summoner’s Rift.
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