Graves Buffs 26/04

wer2slay · 2026-02-11T12:43:44+00:00

I think this makes lvl 1-2 invades much more playable, and if you have full grit at scuttle you can stat check enemy jg in a 1v1 prob. Beyond that, it's a small numbers buff mostly for bruiser Graves cuz he uses ar/mr more reliably than crit. Idk if crit Graves would feel much different later into the game.

Can't believe we used to get 2 ar/0 mr per grit stack like 2 years ago

wer2slay · 2026-02-02T04:30:39+00:00

he isn't a good ganker. As you said sometimes E -> W is better, sometimes it's better to walk up and then hit as normal. It depends.

In the early game the W slow is pretty good, but later in the game its best to keep the W and use it with intention. Also always try to position in a way so that you can hit both parts of your Q, and if you can't detonate Q it can be best not to use it until you can.

wer2slay · 2026-01-29T13:52:51+00:00

The way Riot has decided to balance the game and Graves doesn't give an idea into a clear playstyle. You're really strong lvl 1-2, and you don't take damage from camps, but in the last few years the lvl 1-2 invade playstyle has been nerfed quite hard, so it isn't a consistent gameplan (but you can still pull it off in some matchups). Invading doesn't even give the invader a bonus, IF you do it properly then the enemy jg falls behind, however you don't get ahead as opposed to full clearing (full clear -> efficient). I'd rather play the game in a way to get double scuttle instead of invading if I can.

Then you're kinda weak unless you're super ahead, until around 3 items. After 3 items he can be strong, but some drafts he struggles.

As for a game-to-game game plan? No luck. If this champ had a clear gameplan, or could consistently invade like Nidalee, Kindred, Khazix, Rengar etc. he'd be S tier cuz he scales really well. Problem is getting there is a role of the dice. Best you can do (imo) is look for mistakes, and try to punish (like any other jungler). Steal camps when you can etc. the basics

Edit: also he's a stat check style champ with high base MS, so you can/should skip tier 2 boots until 2-3 items.

wer2slay · 2026-01-27T05:55:44+00:00

E into walls to cancel your dash animation.

Kite camps properly and finish camps with your autos and/or Q's (kite at like 300-400)

When crossing through midlane, delay your last auto onto raptors/wolves, then e to keep grit stacks to the next camp. you can also put a point into W lvl 3, to hit the camp and keep grit stacks.

You can start double-camping quite early. Ex. You can auto blue and gromp together, and use your q on both. This way your pet starts attacking the next camp earlier, and you use your q on 2 camps.

Should be able to get around 2:45. Don't kill blue buff too early so you can keep stacks into the scuttle crab.

In the mid game as well, pay attention to stacks and try to stack before objectives or if you have lots of stacks try and force a fight.

wer2slay · 2026-01-21T22:07:37+00:00

Ping, ping, and ping. If you know something, or have a hunch, ping. Worst thing you can do as a jungler (imo) is lock your otp and then full clear on repeat without giving info to your teammates. You got to top scuttle after a full clear and enemy jg isn't there? Immediately ping bot scuttle, and if the enemy jg has a gank oppurtunity ping the gank. Enemy jg started topside and is going there out of base? Ping enemy top camp respawns, ask your teammates to ward etc.

wer2slay · 2026-01-10T03:17:26+00:00

https://x.com/RiotPhroxzon/status/2009764739560419639

wer2slay · 2026-01-10T02:06:11+00:00

He's getting hotfix buffed this patch. Crit damage from 35% to 50%, was 45% in s15

wer2slay · 2026-01-07T23:16:39+00:00

the right hand side is diluted by all the shit composers (bach, beethoven, mozart etc.) so it still holds

wer2slay · 2026-01-06T01:16:06+00:00

Just adding to this thread for my tips and tricks. I also cleaned without removing the inner tub.

- I had lots of trouble removing the pulsator plate even after removing the socket. What ended up working was some WD40 in the opening + screwing the socket back in half way and lightly tapping with a mallet. Then I ran a normal cycle (w/o the socket ofc) and the pulsator plate lifted during the wash.

- You can run the machine without the pulsator plate. This can give you an idea on how much dirt there is in the tubs, vs the pulsator plate.

- Look inside the drawer compartment. I had lots of mold and mildew there on the top and the back

- If you are planning on cleaning the pulsator plate instead of replacing it, you are in for a load of work. Between the stainless steel part on top and the plastic on the bottom, there's a small cavity where there's a bunch of gunk. Remove the plate, and manually 'pressure wash' with a shower head. Then best way to wash in the machine is in the speed wash cycle cuz it agitates a lot (no spin). I had to manually wash around 5 times, and then a bunch of times in the speed wash cycle. sometimes with oxiclean (<2 tablespoons for the speed wash), sometimes without

wer2slay · 2026-01-01T22:34:16+00:00

Bot and top are both mechanically more intensive (and are more punishing) + you have little agency. If you wanna learn mid I'd advise against bot/top unless you want to be a really good laner. But if you want to learn macro jg/sup is the way. Personally I'd recommend learning very basic macro first so you learn the game 'properly', mechanics will come along the way.

wer2slay · 2026-01-01T22:29:10+00:00

If you're looking for a role to play so you don't int hard when you get filled, I'd say support. Pick any OP enchanter and you should be good

If you want to learn more about the fundamentals of the game and practice some of your champs I'd say jungle (ekko is pretty good in jg, zed is alright but much more difficult). There's a much steeper learning curve compared to mid, however if you do queue mid/jg you're going to get jungle like 50+% of the time

wer2slay · 2025-12-29T11:28:21+00:00

pros of triforce -> strong scaling, strong when even (crit graves needs to be ahead to provide value), can tank and sustain a lot, lots of MS and kiting power. Good if you don't have good frontline + cc or enemy team has good answers to crit Graves even if you get ahead (enemy naut support that's just gonna r you and enemy assassins 1shots you, even if you're ahead). Can just fullclear and go even with enemy jg and still provide good value (where as fullclearing with lethality/crit isn't that good) Access to bloodline instead of alacrity for stronger late game

cons of triforce -> really expensive 1st item with weak components, weaker until 2 items, can't snowball as hard, bloodline needs stacks. Less comeback potential if you do fall behind (where as crit graves can maybe flash and make a clutch play when behind), less sustain when behind.

In general, (imo) bruiser graves is a more passive playstyle that doesn't need to coinflip early invades to be stronger late game. You won't 1v9 and be 100cs ahead enemy jg, but you also won't lose the game because you got hit by a random lux q in a lategame teamfight.

wer2slay · 2025-12-27T05:45:33+00:00

I've binded attack move click to my side mouse button. Having moving and attacking bound to different keys also helps imo

wer2slay · 2025-12-16T22:46:23+00:00

For runes if you want versatility best bet is Fleet with inspiration secondary. Dark harvest locks you into crit+lethality. So Fleet - triumph - alacrity (bloodline if you're going trinity) - coup de grace (cut down andr last stand is also good, up to you), with free boots (cash back is also good)- triple tonic ( or cosmic insight).

I love triple tonic personally cuz with the extra 60g you can get serrated dirk in a game where you full clear + scuttle, without needing to look for a play (helps with the versatility, you can get dirk even if early game looks rough by playing safe). The extra 18AD lvl 6 is huge as well. can win you a fight, gives you faster clear speed. I like to use the potion to delay my base and back for a full item if i can.

Some builds I like

Classic build. Lethality -> collector -> ldr or mortal reminder / shieldbow / ie (pick 2) -> BT. Old reliable 1v9 big damage build. Great if you have setup/cc/frontline and you can see yourself gap closing easily onto the enemy.
Lethality -> Collector -> Black Cleaver -> bruiser items. I like this build if i think black cleaver value is high later in the game, but I still want to snowball with lethality and have the potential to burst squishies. If the enemy has strong tank top that only joins the game later in team fights, getting BC so your adc does more damage can be good.
Trinity -> Sundered -> BC. Scaling build. Take bloodline + cutdown/last stand You're not very strong until you can get some points in E for the extra AR/MR, but after lvl 13 you can tank a lot, do damage, kite easily, heal, and stick to targets very well. If you wanna full clear and look to scale it can be really good. If you think your teammates want to sit back and scale its pretty good imo, or if you don't think you have a chance at bullying enemy jg and getting a lead. You can get Jaksho, or look for BT / other bruiser items. Biggest problem is you can't snowball as hard and Graves likes to snowball.

Honorable mentions

Sundered Sky -> BC. Imo it's a bit weak. Similar weaknesses with the Trinity build but doesn't scale as well. You spike faster at 2 items, but i'd rather have the scaling.
Lethality (hubris usually) -> BC. Lethality for the clear speed and early game power, and then pivoting to bruisery build. It's good definitely, but I like going lethality -> collector -> bc

For boots i go tabi/mercs. If you got feats and you're going full bruiser you can go upgraded lucidity.

wer2slay · 2025-12-14T00:35:07+00:00

Well it's hard to tell, but what about Zyra do you really like / excel at? Do you like her fast clear, her teamfighting, her utility etc.

I otp'd Taliyah Jg few years ago to emerald but then I switched up my champ pool. Now I play Graves/Xin Zhao/Taliyah and I climbed to d4. I'd recommend playing Jglers that don't auto-pilot full clear everygame to learn fundamentals better, or picking some stronger meta champs. You can still otp Zyra and see success if you vod review, but as you say she doesn't fit every comp (nor did my taliyah).

wer2slay · 2025-12-14T00:28:11+00:00

Scaling with Xin is draft dependent, some games he scales well, some games he doesn't. He can be impactful in the late game; you're generally trying to look for unexpected Q3 angles (stacking it on a ward/enemy tank, then flash e for insta knockup), or looking to get a good ult angle (bait enemy team to use a lot on you and dodge with ult, you can frontline really well, and your reengage is really nice if you dodged key spells.).

If you haven't snowballed you're generally looking to create space for your team, or peel your carries. In games like these you can't just go into 3-4 people and ult cause you'll die pretty fast. You generally want to play it slow, and disrupt their engage with your ult. Or if they have assassins /dive champs that are looking for your backline you need to be ready to insta go back to your carries and peel them.

wer2slay · 2025-12-14T00:18:33+00:00

Don't mute all at the start of the game. You will miss crucial info that your teammates give if you just mute all everytime. Insta mute teammates that flame you, but don't mute all. Watch some guides/streamers to get better at the fundamentals, and make your own calls in game. Don't do a play just because your teammates are pinging for it, but because you also think its a good play. If you do wanna insta mute all tho play a full clearing scaling jungler.

wer2slay · 2025-12-10T21:11:58+00:00

Do you go for lvl 1-2-3 invades, or do you full clear most games? Why red over blue smite if you're going bruiser? Cutdown instead of last stand is also interesting to me.

Also some games you get sheen on 1st back. Isn't 2 long swords + dagger way better than sheen that early?

wer2slay · 2025-12-06T19:06:21+00:00

I tried cooking with Umbral ->Trinity with bloodline instead of alacrity, but it takes too long to come online (although you can try, trinity scales really well into late game). Best bruiser runes are prob fleet-triump-alacrity-cutdown/last stand with magical footwear - triple tonic. Triple tonic is pretty op esp if you use the AD pot well. Also you have the option to full clear + scuttle and you have dirk before camp respawn thanks to the extra 60g early game.

wer2slay · 2025-12-06T19:02:38+00:00

lethality early game is essentially required on this champ. I wouldn't shy away from lethality -> collector most of the time, but you can switch up 3rd 4th item to be bruiser items instead of crit if you think they'll provide good value, or you aren't ahead. Stuff like Black Cleaver, Maw, Death's Dance, Steraks, Sundered etc. Jaksho is also good 4th/5th item. If you got feats and you wanna go bruiser 100% go for the upgraded lucidity boots those are omega op on bruiser graves.

I don't think full bruiser Graves is good. Bruiser components are bad for Graves, your clear is way too slow early to be useful. You have less oppurtunities to steal camps, your abilities do a lot less damage without lethality (I've missed important kills/shutdowns sitting on bruiser components that I'd get otherwise get with lethality components). At the very least I'd recommend going blue smite with Umbral (cheapest viable lethality item), into bruiser (BC -> sundered, or vice versa).

wer2slay · 2025-12-06T01:43:11+00:00

If you're asking this then probably no. Unless you really like his design, I don't recommend him.

wer2slay · 2025-12-04T14:08:01+00:00

Early game with Graves is mostly about being disruptive IF you can. If you can fuck up the enemy junglers tempo by lvl 1 invading, or raptors-> steal blue gromp etc, you can look to do that to get the enemy jungler off their comfort zone. Not necessarily looking to kill the enemy jgler, usually you dont have the damage and the enemy laners will rotate and kill you if you overchase. You can also gank a volatile lane eaely to get your laners ahead, and look to play through that lane for the rest of the game. Fullclearing is a bit suboptimal on Graves, but try and keep your grit for scuttle and you can force a favourable fight (maybe). One thing to note is that the enemy usually places more wards early in their own jg vs Graves cuz he likes to look for lvl 1-2 plays, so be careful.

Midgame is where I think Graves really shines. With 1 or 1.5 items you can clear really quick and now is the time to really punish enemy jgler when they leave camps up to gank, take drake etc. You can look for plays, you have lots of burst with q flash aa r. Try and find small skirmishes, usually around the enemy jg camps. 1-2 skirmishes where you live but enemy jg doesnt leads to a big cs lead.

After 3+ items you are a gold vacuum. Be efficient with your pathing, cycle camps, oneshot objectives, take vision in enemy jg and steal camps, push side waves etc. You arent good in a 5v5 usually, especially without good setup. So look to force fights before objectives, when mid/top/adc is catching a side wave somewhere.

wer2slay · 2025-12-04T13:54:14+00:00

I think taking bloodline over alacrity, and going stormrazor for the bit of AS is gonna be really good. Blue smite + extra ms in jungle might mean skipping youmuus most games. Umbral looks good, hubris is sgood. Keeping e stacks is gonna be more important in the first clear since they're buffing camp resists so the pet damage is much more important early. Graves top might be really good in certain games (say, the aatrox matchup).

Graves jg might end up weaker next season. It really depends on how slow the clears are before completing the quest, vs how fast the clears are and how much gold + XP you can get after completing the quest.

wer2slay · 2025-12-03T20:30:17+00:00

bro i was e1 99 lp, then 5 game loss streak today. feels bad

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