Honor of Kings Jungle Guide — Best Junglers, Clear Routes & Ganks (2026)
Updated for the current international patch. Hero tiers pulled from the live HoKStats tier list.
Quick summary
The jungler is the map tempo controller in Honor of Kings. Your job is to clear camps efficiently, contest river vision and buffs, gank lanes on enemy cooldowns, and secure Tyrant, Overlord and Dark Tyrant. Use the current tier-ordered hero list below before you queue: a reliable comfort pick is worth more than chasing a hero you cannot pilot yet.
What does the jungle do?
The jungler controls tempo. You decide which lane gets pressure, when objectives spawn, and whether fights happen. Winning jungle = winning macro.
- Clear 4 camps + buff + scuttle by level 4
- Gank Mid and Clash lanes when enemies push past river
- Smite objectives (Tyrant, Overlord, Dark Tyrant) and contest enemy buffs
- Counter-jungle when you outlevel the enemy jungler
- Rotate to the winning lane to snowball gold leads
Use jungle to climb ranked
For consistent ranked progress, narrow your pool to two or three junglers: one reliable blind pick, one answer to a tanky draft, and one comfort carry. Review the draft, protect your first clear and play for the next objective instead of forcing every fight.
See every Honor of Kings rank and a practical climbing plan →Best jungle heroes right now
16 heroes are currently viable in Jungle. Tier order reflects the latest patch.
Fighter
Fighter
Fighter/Tank
Mage
Assassin
Assassin
Fighter/Tank
Marksman
Fighter
Fighter
Marksman
Assassin
Assassin/Fighter
Assassin
Mage/Fighter
Fighter
Core jungle items
Monster kills boost MATK
Monster kills boost Health
Monster kills boost PATK
Reduces physical damage
Shortens CC
Boosts MDEF
Boosts BA damage
Physical junglers typically run 10× Hunt (red) + 10× Eagle Eye (blue) + 10× Hunter (green) for attack, pen and move speed. AP junglers swap reds for Ambition and greens for Mutation.
Standard clear + first gank (level 1–5)
- Level 1: Blue buff side (red side if you have strong level-2 engage) — 3 camps, hit level 3 with smite up.
- Level 4: Scuttle + second buff (red or blue). Always take scuttle — it gives vision and faster rotations.
- Level 4–5: Path to the lane with the lowest wave pressure and gank. Save smite for the enemy jungler invade or a scuttle contest.
- Level 6: Once your ult is online, look for a cross-map gank into the lane that is shoved to enemy tower.
- Minute 4: First Tyrant window — only take it with 2+ teammates and vision.
5 mistakes every jungle player makes
1. Perma-farming jungle with no ganks
Farming is safe but loses games. If a lane is shoved past river with no enemy jungler visible, gank.
2. Fighting the enemy jungler with smite down
Never contest an objective or invade if your smite is on cooldown.
3. Ignoring scuttle
Scuttle gives huge vision. Taking it on cooldown is a free win condition.
4. Taking Tyrant solo too early
Pre-level 6 Tyrant is almost always a trap. Wait for ult + a teammate for vision.
5. Random pathing
Before every clear, ask: “Where is the enemy jungler? Which lane gets ganked next?” No plan = losing plan.
Matchups
Your matchup is decided more by the first two waves and lane priority than by a 1v1 duel. Do not invade without nearby lanes that can move first. When you are behind, trade the opposite-side camp or objective instead of walking into an even-numbered fight.
Pair with an engage Roam (Yaria, Dolia) to snowball early ganks.
Jungle FAQ
What is the best jungler in Honor of Kings right now?
Use the tier-ordered hero list above as the starting point: it is generated from HoKStats’ current jungle data at build time. Prioritize a hero you can clear, gank and teamfight with consistently, then compare their counters and builds on the full /tier-list/ page.
Should I start red or blue buff?
Start the buff closest to your strongest lane teammate — they will help you clear faster and discourage an enemy invade. Physical junglers default to red (attack speed + slow). AP junglers default to blue (mana + CDR).
When should I smite?
Smite Tyrant / Overlord / Dark Tyrant execute thresholds first, then jungle monsters to secure buff/camp in an invade. Do not waste smite on empty jungle camps if enemy jungler is nearby.
What jungle item should I build first?
Runeblade for assassins (armor pen), Giant’s Grip for bruiser/fighter junglers (health + pen), and Rapacious Bite for heavy gankers needing sustain. Buy at minute 2–3 right after your first back.
How do I know when to gank?
Gank when: (1) an enemy laner is shoved past river, (2) you have a CC skill or ult available, (3) your ally has full HP and mana, (4) enemy jungler is on the opposite side of the map.
Next steps
- New to HoK? Read the Honor of Kings beginner guide.
- Want a repeatable climb plan? Read Honor of Kings ranks in order.
- See the current tier list for all 5 roles side-by-side.
- Browse all 116 heroes and pick your main.
- Switching from MLBB? Check the Honor of Kings vs Mobile Legends comparison.
- Other role guides: Mid Lane, Clash Lane, Farm Lane, Roam.