10 Best Champions To Counter Jarvan IV In League of Legends

Jarvan IV is one of the most versatile and tanky junglers in League of Legends, known for his strong early-game pressure, crowd control, and ability to initiate team fights. With abilities like Dragon Strike (Q) and Demacian Standard (E), he can easily close gaps, lock down enemies, and provide significant utility to his team. However, despite his strengths, Jarvan IV has weaknesses that certain champions can exploit, particularly his reliance on his Ultimate (R) for setting up team fights. In this article, we will explore the 10 best champions to counter Jarvan IV, detailing how these champions can punish his early-game invasions, shut down his engages, and outscale him in the later stages of the game.

#10: Ivern

Ivern is a great counter to Jarvan IV due to his ability to avoid direct confrontations, his strong jungle control, and his ability to disrupt Jarvan IV’s early-game pressure. Since Ivern excels in controlling jungle camps quickly without engaging in traditional duels, he can evade Jarvan’s early ganks and steal camps with ease, keeping him from snowballing the game.

One of Ivern’s biggest advantages in this matchup is his ability to avoid direct fights with his mobility. His Brushmaker (W) allows him to create brush, making it easier for him to dodge Jarvan IV’s skill shots and escape dangerous situations. Additionally, Ivern’s passive allows him to rapidly clear jungle camps without engaging in combat, which makes him difficult for Jarvan IV to catch.

Ivern also offers strong utility with his Triggerseed (E), which provides a shield to his allies and can disrupt Jarvan IV’s damage output. Ivern’s Daisy (R) can help disrupt Jarvan IV’s team-fighting ability, especially when he’s trying to set up engages with his Ultimate (R). By outplaying Jarvan IV through superior jungle control, mobility, and utility, Ivern can deny Jarvan IV the ability to dominate the early game and outscale him in the mid-to-late game.

#9: Hecarim

Hecarim is a strong counter to Jarvan IV due to his high mobility, aggressive playstyle, and ability to outpace Jarvan IV in the jungle. While Jarvan IV excels at locking down enemies with his crowd control and initiating fights, Hecarim’s speed and sustain allow him to quickly outmaneuver Jarvan and shut down his early-game pressure.

One of Hecarim’s biggest strengths in this matchup is his speed and ability to invade Jarvan IV’s jungle. With Devastating Charge (E), Hecarim can quickly engage on Jarvan IV or escape from dangerous situations, making it harder for Jarvan IV to land his crowd control. Additionally, Hecarim’s Onslaught of Shadows (R) provides a strong engage tool, allowing him to disrupt Jarvan IV’s Ultimate (R) and control the flow of fights.

Another key advantage is Hecarim’s sustain and damage. Hecarim can quickly clear camps and heal up using his passive, giving him sustain in extended fights and allowing him to recover while Jarvan IV struggles with low sustain in skirmishes. By taking advantage of Hecarim’s speed, mobility, and sustained damage, Hecarim can outmaneuver and outscale Jarvan IV, especially in jungle skirmishes and team fights.

#8: Elise

Elise is a fantastic counter to Jarvan IV due to her early-game dominance, strong invade potential, and burst damage. Jarvan IV relies heavily on his early-game ganks and dueling power, but Elise’s ability to quickly invade and outplay him in jungle skirmishes makes her a strong pick against him.

One of Elise’s biggest strengths in this matchup is her ability to quickly clear jungle camps and invade Jarvan IV’s jungle early. With Venomous Bite (Q) and Spider Form, Elise can clear camps faster than Jarvan IV and apply constant pressure by stealing buffs and objectives. Elise’s Cocoon (E) is another tool that can stun Jarvan IV during his ganks or interrupt his engage if he tries to initiate with his Dragon Strike (Q) and Demacian Standard (E) combo.

Additionally, Elise’s burst damage in Spider Form is overwhelming for Jarvan IV, especially in early skirmishes. Her ability to burst down Jarvan IV before he can react and escape using Rappel (E) gives her a huge advantage in jungle fights. By denying Jarvan IV farm, invading his jungle, and bursting him down early, Elise can severely hinder his ability to scale into a team-fight presence.

#7: Nidalee

Nidalee is a strong counter to Jarvan IV due to her high mobility, strong early-game pressure, and ability to invade his jungle. While Jarvan IV relies on strong engages and crowd control, Nidalee can evade his attempts and pressure him with her superior jungle clear and poke.

One of Nidalee’s biggest advantages in this matchup is her ability to invade and steal camps with her high mobility and fast clear speed. Nidalee’s Pounce (W) allows her to move quickly between camps and avoid Jarvan IV’s ganks, making it difficult for him to establish control over the jungle. Her Javelin Toss (Q) also gives her long-range poke to punish Jarvan IV as he tries to engage or contest objectives.

Additionally, Nidalee’s spear damage is highly effective against Jarvan IV’s squishier components, especially if he builds tanky. If she can land a few well-placed Javelin Tosses, she can whittle down his health and force him out of engagements. With her mobility, sustain through heals, and burst damage, Nidalee can disrupt Jarvan IV’s early game and take control of the jungle.

#6: Kindred

Kindred is a strong counter to Jarvan IV due to her high mobility, ability to kite, and strong dueling power. While Jarvan IV relies on setting up team fights with his Ultimate (R) and initiating with crowd control, Kindred’s mobility and range allow her to avoid his engage and counter him in jungle skirmishes.

One of Kindred’s biggest advantages in this matchup is her ability to kite and outmaneuver Jarvan IV. With Mounting Dread (E), she can slow him down and create distance when he tries to engage. Additionally, Kindred’s Dance of Arrows (Q) gives her excellent sustain and mobility in extended fights, making it difficult for Jarvan IV to pin her down once she starts attacking.

Kindred’s ultimate, Lamb’s Respite (R) is a game-changer in this matchup, as it prevents Jarvan IV’s engage from finishing off her or her teammates. Even if Jarvan IV tries to use his Dragon’s Rage (R) to execute, Kindred can counter with her ultimate, keeping her team alive and preventing the fight from turning in Jarvan’s favor.

By using superior mobility, keeping distance, and applying consistent pressure with her ranged attacks, Kindred can outplay Jarvan IV, shut down his early-game attempts, and dominate the jungle.

#5: Graves

Graves is a strong counter to Jarvan IV due to his early-game dueling power, high mobility, and ability to quickly clear camps. Since Jarvan IV is heavily reliant on setting up his engages and crowd control, Graves can outduel him in the early game and prevent him from establishing his presence in the jungle.

One of Graves’ biggest strengths in this matchup is his high burst damage. With End of the Line (Q) and Quickdraw (E), Graves can poke and disengage effectively, making it difficult for Jarvan IV to engage with his Dragon Strike (Q) and Demacian Standard (E) combo. Graves’ mobility through Quickdraw also allows him to escape after a trade, preventing Jarvan IV from locking him down.

Additionally, Graves’ tanky build and ability to dish out consistent damage make him a tough opponent for Jarvan IV, who relies on his crowd control to make plays. Graves’ range allows him to trade safely in the early stages, and his passive, True Grit, gives him extra durability to survive extended skirmishes with Jarvan IV.

By outscaling Jarvan IV in damage output and mobility, Graves can shut down his early-game attempts and apply constant pressure to prevent Jarvan from scaling effectively into the mid-game.

#4: Lee Sin

Lee Sin is a strong counter to Jarvan IV thanks to his early-game aggression, mobility, and superior dueling capabilities. While Jarvan IV excels at initiating team fights with his crowd control and tanky build, Lee Sin can punish him in 1v1 skirmishes by outplaying his engages and controlling the pace of the jungle.

One of Lee Sin’s biggest advantages in this matchup is his mobility. Safeguard (W) allows him to escape or engage quickly, while Sonic Wave (Q) offers a reliable way to poke and engage Jarvan IV. Since Lee Sin excels at dueling, he can easily trade damage with Jarvan IV and avoid getting caught in his ultimate. His Dragon’s Rage (R) can also disrupt Jarvan IV’s initiation and knock him away from key areas, preventing him from locking down targets or setting up his team.

Additionally, Lee Sin’s strong early-game power gives him the ability to invade Jarvan IV’s jungle, steal buffs, and apply pressure before Jarvan IV can scale into his full team-fighting potential. By invading early, denying Jarvan IV’s farm, and dominating early skirmishes, Lee Sin can completely disrupt Jarvan IV’s playstyle and control the flow of the game.

#3: Evelynn

Evelynn is an excellent counter to Jarvan IV due to her stealth mechanics, high burst damage, and ability to easily outmaneuver him. While Jarvan IV excels at early-game skirmishes and setting up objectives, Evelynn’s ability to stay hidden and surprise her enemies gives her a huge advantage in avoiding his crowd control and capitalizing on his lack of mobility.

One of Evelynn’s biggest advantages in this matchup is her stealth (Demon Shade), which makes it extremely difficult for Jarvan IV to track or predict her movements. Evelynn can freely invade his jungle, steal camps, and catch him off guard with her high burst damage from Hate Spike (Q) and Allure (W). Jarvan IV’s lack of mobility makes him an easy target for Evelynn’s rapid burst when she gets close.

Additionally, Evelynn’s ultimate, Last Caress, is a great tool to finish off Jarvan IV during team fights or skirmishes. Since Jarvan IV is often in the thick of things, Evelynn can capitalize on his positioning and deal significant damage with her ultimate, forcing him to retreat or get eliminated.

By using her stealth to invade, burst down Jarvan IV, and avoid his crowd control, Evelynn can shut down his early-game potential and prevent him from taking control of the jungle.

#2: Rek’Sai

Rek’Sai is a strong counter to Jarvan IV due to her high mobility, strong dueling power, and ability to invade early. Since Jarvan IV relies on controlling objectives and engaging with his Ultimate (R), Rek’Sai can disrupt his game plan by outpacing him and denying him farm in the jungle.

One of Rek’Sai’s biggest advantages in this matchup is her Tremor Sense (Passive), which allows her to track Jarvan IV’s movements, making it easy to invade his jungle and steal camps without being caught off guard. Rek’Sai’s Burrow (W) gives her incredible mobility, enabling her to escape or re-engage quickly, and use her high sustain to outlast Jarvan IV in duels.

In skirmishes and team fights, Rek’Sai’s Unburrow (Q) and Furious Bite (E) allow her to deal massive damage, especially when Jarvan IV tries to initiate with his crowd control abilities. Rek’Sai’s ultimate, Void Rush (R), can also help finish off Jarvan IV if he tries to escape or disengage, allowing Rek’Sai to chase him down and secure kills.

By outpacing Jarvan IV, denying his jungle control, and punishing his lack of mobility, Rek’Sai can completely shut down his early-game pressure and prevent him from becoming a strong presence in the game.

#1: Kha’Zix

Kha’Zix is the best counter to Jarvan IV, thanks to his high burst damage, strong dueling power, and ability to isolate and eliminate Jarvan IV before he can impact fights. Jarvan IV relies on engaging with his Ultimate (R) and providing crowd control for his team, but Kha’Zix’s isolation mechanics and mobility allow him to exploit Jarvan IV’s weaknesses and shut him down early.

One of Kha’Zix’s biggest strengths in this matchup is his Taste Their Fear (Q), which deals bonus damage to isolated targets. Since Jarvan IV tends to engage in the middle of fights, he can easily become isolated when Kha’Zix focuses him. Kha’Zix can burst him down with his combo of Q, basic attacks, and Void Spike (W), making it very difficult for Jarvan IV to survive.

Additionally, Kha’Zix’s Leap (E) provides exceptional mobility, allowing him to escape or re-engage quickly, avoiding Jarvan IV’s crowd control while positioning for the perfect assassination. Kha’Zix’s ultimate, Evolution (R), enhances his abilities and allows him to stay on top of Jarvan IV, picking him off in skirmishes and team fights.

By using his high mobility, burst damage, and isolation mechanics, Kha’Zix can completely outmaneuver and outduel Jarvan IV, preventing him from being a threat in the early and mid-game. Kha’Zix’s ability to isolate Jarvan IV and burst him down makes him the perfect jungler to shut down Jarvan IV’s engages and control the jungle.

Conclusion

Jarvan IV is a powerful jungler and engager, capable of initiating team fights and providing great utility for his team. However, he does have several weaknesses that can be exploited by champions who outscale him in duels, invade his jungle, or disrupt his engages. Champions like Kha’Zix, Rek’Sai, and Elise shine by punishing his lack of mobility and strong early-game pressure. Graves, Lee Sin, and Evelynn are exceptional at outmaneuvering him, stealing objectives, and taking control of the map early. Ivern and Hecarim also offer strong alternatives, using their unique mechanics to avoid direct confrontation and shut down Jarvan IV’s effectiveness. By targeting Jarvan IV’s weaknesses—particularly his reliance on his ultimate and crowd control—these champions can shut down his jungle dominance and reduce his impact on the game, leading your team to victory.