Now I know this post is a little late for some of you, but I just want to touch on Pantheon's level 2 jungle for a bit. I think it's very strong, and depending on your risk tolerance, may or may not affect his damage/clear speed much at all.
How it Works
Basically, with the way Pantheon's passive block works, he has the ability to block the dragon's only attack, the fire breath. By stacking up to at least 4 autos or his W between every dragon breath, he can mitigate either all, or a substantial amount of damage depending on how much attack speed you put on your rune page.
If you don't stack attack speed, you can still do it around level 3 to 4, but lanes will most likely be warded by then and increases your risk factor.
If you don't stack attack speed, you can still do it around level 3 to 4, but lanes will most likely be warded by then and increases your risk factor.
Pros/Cons
Pros:
- Early dragon. and
- Faster to 5 stacks.
Cons:
- Doesn't give you level 3;
- Dragon buff shows up on your laners, so they still have dragon timer;
- Jungler knows exactly where you are; and
- Attack speed runes reduces burst potential during ganks.
Video
Minimal Rune Setup
The above uses 2 attack speed quints and 9 attack speed blues, and also one attack damage quint and attack damage reds. This leaves your champion with about 33% health after doing dragon, which isn't too bad.
I would suggest popping in one more attack speed quint, as it will make your dragoning much much safer.
Mastery Page
Strategy/Counterstrategy
Start:
Grab traditional jungle items (machete, 2 pots, trinket). Level 1 get your spear, level 2 get your W.
To start with, you want to pick up your blue buff first in order to make sure you have the mana and cooldown to stay alive through dragon. You can have someone help you leash, but it's not particularly necessary as you can see from the video above. However, make sure to smite blue buff closer to the end so you get your mana back.
DRAGON FIGHT:
Once you hit level 2, head over to the dragon pit real stealthily, and start attacking it. If you have your W up right after he breathes fire, use it, but save your spear. right after he breathes fire, if you don't have your W but have your spear, then use your spear. Try and save your W for directly after he breathes fire, especially if your spear is on cooldown.
If you have enough attack speed this won't matter as much.
Counterstrategy:
Ward dragon early against Pantheon...always.
Thoughts? Comment below!