League of Legends: 10 Best Jungle Champions to Climb Fast

The jungle role is undeniably one of the most impactful in League of Legends, often dictating the flow of the game. It’s no surprise that many of the highest-ranking players in Challenger are junglers. With their ability to influence all lanes, secure objectives, and control the map, junglers have unmatched potential to carry games. Despite Riot Games’ efforts to tone down their dominance, junglers continue to thrive in the solo queue meta.

With a wide array of champions to choose from, finding the right pick can make all the difference in climbing the ranks. This article will rank the 10 best jungle champions for climbing in the current meta. But we’re not just following trends—our list is based on data from our Challenger-level boosters, highlighting the champions they trust most to deliver results. If you’re ready to elevate your jungle gameplay, dive into this list and consider hiring one of our expert boosters at 1v9.gg to help you reach your desired rank. Use code JunglerCarry for a 20% discount. Let’s get started!

#10: Trundle

Trundle is an underrated yet highly effective jungler, particularly against tank-heavy team compositions. His ability to steal stats with Chomp (Q) and Subjugate (R) makes him a nightmare for enemy tanks, allowing him to dominate in extended fights. His sustain in the jungle is excellent, thanks to his passive, King’s Tribute, which heals him whenever an enemy dies near him.

Trundle also excels in objective control with Pillar of Ice (E), providing unparalleled zoning potential during fights for Dragon or Baron. He is straightforward to play, making him an ideal choice for players looking to focus on macro gameplay rather than complex mechanics. If you’re climbing the ranks and facing tanky enemies, Trundle is a reliable pick to dismantle their frontline while staying durable and impactful.

#9: Kindred

Kindred is a unique jungle champion with a high skill ceiling and incredible carry potential. They excel at scaling into the late game while maintaining strong early-game presence through aggressive ganks and jungle dueling. With their passive, Mark of the Kindred, they continuously scale their damage by hunting marked targets, making them a rewarding pick for players who enjoy an aggressive, risk-versus-reward playstyle.

Kindred’s Dance of Arrows (Q) combined with Wolf’s Frenzy (W) allows for exceptional mobility and consistent DPS during fights, while Mounting Dread (E) provides a powerful execute for burst damage. What truly sets Kindred apart is their ultimate ability, Lamb’s Respite, which creates a zone that prevents allies and enemies from dying. This skill can turn the tide of fights, making it a valuable tool for both engaging and saving teammates in crucial moments.

While Kindred can be mechanically demanding, their ability to snowball games and provide unparalleled utility makes them a fantastic pick for climbing ranks.

#8: Talon

Talon brings unmatched map mobility and assassination power to the jungle, making him a potent choice for players who love fast-paced, high-impact gameplay. Known for his ability to traverse terrain with Assassin’s Path (E) and burst down squishy targets, Talon excels at snowballing leads and pressuring lanes effectively.

His early-game strength lies in his fast jungle clear and ability to roam quickly across the map, catching enemies off guard with devastating ganks. With Noxian Diplomacy (Q) for single-target damage, Rake (W) for poke and AoE clear, and Shadow Assault (R) for both engaging and disengaging, Talon is a dynamic champion who thrives in chaotic skirmishes.

Talon’s playstyle rewards proactive decision-making and map awareness, allowing him to dominate games by creating early advantages and relentlessly hunting down isolated opponents. While his lack of sustain and reliance on resets can make him vulnerable in extended fights, his raw burst and mobility more than make up for it. Talon is an excellent choice for jungle players aiming to carry games through aggression and map control.

#7: Kayn

Kayn is one of the most versatile jungle champions in League of Legends, offering two unique forms that adapt to the game’s needs. With his ability to transform into either Shadow Assassin or Rhaast, Kayn provides players with the flexibility to counter both squishy and tanky opponents effectively.

In the early game, Kayn’s Reaping Slash (Q) and Blade’s Reach (W) allow for fast jungle clears and effective ganks, especially when paired with his Shadow Step (E) for unexpected pathing. His ultimate, Umbral Trespass (R), lets him dive into enemies, avoiding damage and re-engaging with precision.

Kayn’s strength truly comes to life after his transformation. Shadow Assassin Kayn is perfect for deleting squishy carries, offering unmatched burst damage and mobility. Rhaast, on the other hand, excels against tanks and bruisers, with sustained healing and powerful crowd control. This duality makes Kayn a reliable pick in a variety of team compositions and matchups.

For players looking to dominate the jungle with a champion that scales well into the mid and late game, Kayn is a top-tier choice. His ability to adapt to the flow of the game ensures he remains impactful, making him a favorite for climbing the ranked ladder.

#6: Nidalee

Nidalee is a highly versatile and skill-intensive jungle champion that thrives in the hands of mechanically adept players. Known for her incredible mobility, map presence, and poke potential, Nidalee can dominate the early game and snowball her team to victory.

Her Human Form abilities, particularly Javelin Toss (Q), deal massive poke damage from a distance, making her a nightmare for opponents during jungle skirmishes. Bushwhack (W) provides valuable vision control, helping to track enemy junglers and secure objectives. Once her abilities hit, she can quickly pounce into her Cougar Form with Aspect of the Cougar (R) to finish off enemies with high burst damage using Pounce (W) and Takedown (Q).

Nidalee’s early-game impact is unparalleled. She clears camps quickly and can invade enemy junglers with ease, punishing them for poor positioning. Her high mobility with Pounce (W) allows her to traverse the map efficiently, making her a strong ganker and a reliable asset for counter-jungling.

However, Nidalee’s strength requires precise skill usage and good map awareness. She excels in proactive gameplay, capitalizing on opportunities and setting up her team for success. While her late game may fall off compared to tankier or scaling junglers, her ability to snowball early leads makes her an exceptional pick for climbing the ranks. For players confident in their mechanics and decision-making, Nidalee is a powerful and rewarding champion.

#5: Rengar

Rengar is a high-risk, high-reward jungle champion known for his burst damage, stealth mechanics, and ability to single-handedly carry games when ahead. As a classic assassin jungler, Rengar thrives in chaotic skirmishes and excels at isolating and deleting squishy targets.

His unique Bonetooth Necklace (Passive) encourages an aggressive playstyle, rewarding him with permanent attack damage as he secures kills on enemy champions. His Leap (Passive) from bushes or out of stealth provides him with an incredible gap closer, making him a lethal ganker and counter-jungler. Savagery (Q) boosts his burst damage, while Battle Roar (W) adds sustainability by healing him and mitigating crowd control effects.

Rengar’s ultimate, Thrill of the Hunt (R), is one of his most defining abilities. It grants him camouflage and allows him to hunt enemy champions, making him an unmatched predator in mid and late-game team fights. With his ultimate, Rengar can easily take out key carries or split-push effectively, applying constant pressure on the map.

While Rengar is incredibly powerful in the hands of a skilled player, he is also highly dependent on timing and map awareness. Falling behind early can make it challenging to contribute meaningfully in team fights. However, if you master his combos and capitalize on his snowball potential, Rengar is one of the most dangerous and rewarding jungle champions for climbing the ranks.

#4: Elise

Elise is one of the most versatile and deadly AP junglers in League of Legends, offering high burst damage, strong crowd control, and early game dominance. Her ability to toggle between human and spider forms gives her an unmatched kit for ganking, clearing camps, and taking objectives.

In her Human Form, Elise is a ranged mage with abilities like Cocoon (E), which stuns enemies from a distance, and Neurotoxin (Q), which deals more damage to targets with higher health. This makes her incredibly potent in early skirmishes and ganks, as she can lock down enemies and chunk their health. Her Volatile Spiderling (W) provides extra damage and vision control, making her ideal for catching out enemies or scouting dangerous areas.

In her Spider Form, Elise gains mobility and sustain. Her Venomous Bite (Q) deals execute damage to low-health targets, while her Spiderlings add extra DPS and tank damage from jungle camps. Rappel (E) gives her incredible playmaking potential, allowing her to dodge skill shots, escape tricky situations, or dive onto unsuspecting enemies.

Elise thrives in the early game, where her fast camp clears and strong gank potential can help snowball her lanes. She can quickly take objectives like Dragons and Rift Herald thanks to her sustained damage and spiderlings tanking for her. While her late game isn’t as impactful as other junglers, her ability to dictate the early tempo makes her a top-tier pick for climbing.

Mastering Elise’s form-switching mechanics and map awareness is crucial to maximize her potential. With her early-game power and versatility, she’s a phenomenal choice for players looking to dominate from the start.

#3: Nunu

Nunu is a fantastic jungle pick for players who value utility, team-focused play, and game-altering objective control. Known for his exceptional gank potential and map presence, Nunu’s kit revolves around empowering his allies while frustrating his opponents. He thrives in the current meta, where objective control and crowd control are critical to success.

Nunu’s Consume (Q) allows him to clear jungle camps with ease and secure objectives like Dragons and Barons with unparalleled precision. This ability makes him one of the best objective-focused junglers in the game. Paired with his high base health and sustain, Nunu can remain healthy throughout the jungle and exert constant pressure on the map.

Biggest Snowball Ever (W) is a signature move that defines Nunu’s gank potential. Charging through the map with a massive snowball, he can engage from long distances and disrupt enemies with knockbacks, setting up easy kills for his laners. This ability also allows him to cover ground quickly, making him a highly mobile threat.

Snowball Barrage (E) and Absolute Zero (R) make Nunu a team fight menace. The barrage slows and damages enemies, creating chaos in skirmishes. Meanwhile, his ultimate channels a devastating area-of-effect slow and damage burst, punishing teams that group too closely and forcing opponents to reposition constantly.

Nunu shines in both low-elo and high-elo games because of his straightforward gameplay and ability to tilt the game in his team’s favor through objective control and relentless ganking. His simplicity makes him a reliable pick for newer players, while his impact on team fights and objectives ensures he’s a top choice for climbing ranks.

#2: Fiddlesticks

Fiddlesticks is one of the most unique and terrifying jungle champions in League of Legends, combining stealth, fear-inducing abilities, and massive area-of-effect damage. He excels at surprising enemies, controlling objectives, and creating chaos in team fights, making him a formidable pick for climbing ranks.

Fiddlesticks’ passive, A Harmless Scarecrow, allows him to set up decoys that mimic his presence, granting vision and creating paranoia among enemies. This ability provides him with valuable scouting tools and adds an extra layer of mind games to his kit.

His jungle clear is among the fastest and healthiest in the game, thanks to Bountiful Harvest (W), which drains health from multiple jungle monsters and enemies simultaneously. This ability not only ensures he stays healthy but also lets him efficiently prepare for early ganks or counter-jungling opportunities.

The true power of Fiddlesticks lies in his ultimate, Crowstorm (R). This ability allows him to teleport into a fight with a massive area-of-effect damage and fear, turning the tide of battles instantly. Whether used to initiate a fight or counter an enemy engage, Fiddlesticks’ ult can wipe out squishy targets and create massive advantages for his team.

Fiddlesticks also brings utility with Terrify (Q), which fears enemies and disrupts their positioning, and Reap (E), which silences and damages enemies in a cone. Together, these abilities make him a nightmare in both skirmishes and team fights.

His reliance on vision control and surprise tactics rewards intelligent play, making Fiddlesticks an excellent choice for players who love strategy and deception. When mastered, Fiddlesticks can dominate games at any rank, making him one of the best jungle champions for climbing.

#1: Rek’Sai

Rek’Sai stands out as one of the most effective and versatile jungle champions for climbing in League of Legends. Her unique playstyle, combining high mobility, early-game pressure, and strong map control, makes her a top-tier pick for dominating the jungle and carrying games.

Rek’Sai’s passive, Fury of the Xer’Sai, allows her to heal while burrowed, ensuring she remains healthy during jungle clears and fights. Her burrowed state also provides her with Tremor Sense, revealing moving enemies even in fog of war, which grants unmatched tracking and map awareness.

Her ability to clear the jungle quickly and efficiently comes from her Queen’s Wrath (Q), which deals bonus area damage when unburrowed. Meanwhile, her burrowed version of Q, Prey Seeker, is a long-range skill shot that helps secure kills or scout enemies.

Rek’Sai’s mobility shines through Tunnel (E), allowing her to traverse terrain effortlessly and set up unexpected ganks. Combined with her knock-up from Unburrow (W), Rek’Sai is a menace in early-game skirmishes and ganks, often tilting lanes in her team’s favor.

Her ultimate, Void Rush (R), adds lethal finishing power. It marks an enemy champion hit by her attacks and allows Rek’Sai to dash to them, dealing devastating true damage. This makes her excellent at hunting down fleeing targets or eliminating high-priority carries in team fights.

Rek’Sai’s ability to dominate the early game with aggressive ganks and unparalleled map control makes her a nightmare for enemy junglers. She thrives in all ranks, as her straightforward mechanics are complemented by a high skill ceiling for those who master her vision control and map presence.

Whether you’re new to the jungle or looking to climb quickly, Rek’Sai’s strong early game, versatility, and ability to snowball games make her the best choice for a jungle carry.

Conclusion

Climbing the ranks as a jungler in League of Legends requires impactful decision-making, efficient pathing, and a champion that fits the current meta. The 10 champions we’ve highlighted—ranging from early-game aggressors like Rek’Sai to scaling threats like Fiddlesticks—are proven to be the best choices for boosting your rank efficiently. Each of these champions brings unique strengths to the role, from map control and ganking potential to objective dominance and late-game scaling.

Whether you’re new to jungle or a seasoned player looking to climb, these champions cater to various playstyles and skill levels, making them essential picks for your ranked games. Remember, mastering one or two of these champions and focusing on consistent play will significantly increase your chances of success. Get out there, take control of the map, and climb to victory!