Vertical jungling is a strategy where both junglers effectively split the map from top to bottom rather than playing around the usual river divide. Instead of contesting mirrored camps, each jungler clears one half of the jungle, creating a situation where one team owns the top side quadrants while the other controls the bottom side. This pattern commonly develops after an early invade, a forced Pathing adjustment, or when a jungler identifies a clear advantage on one half of the map.
Because vertical jungling changes who has access to which resources, it has a major impact on Lane phase dynamics. The side receiving jungle support can play aggressively, while the opposite side must respect pressure or risk being punished. It also influences how teams contest objectives such as Dragon or Baron, since each side gains vision and presence only on the half they control. Effective vertical jungling requires good coordination, awareness of enemy movements, and the ability to adapt quickly when the map becomes asymmetrical.
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