by DumbNoobHuman

[4.1b] A Baron Lane Jax Guide!

8501
4
Perfectionist World Cultural Heritage
Simplified.
Patch 4.1b
June 26, 2023 17:58
Top

A Baron Lane Jax Guide!

Not everything, but basic things you need to know when starting to play Jax!

Jax Build

Best Build Guide for Jax

Starting Items
Long Sword
Ruby Crystal
Sheen items (choose 1)
Trinity Force
Divine Sunderer
Example Build
Divine Sunderer
Stasis Enchant
Blade of the Ruined King
Frozen Heart
Wit's End
Guardian Angel

Item Build Description

Additional information on the items

STARTING ITEMS


  • Long SwordLong Sword is always the best starting item for Jax, as you can build it in every matchup.
  • Ruby CrystalRuby Crystal is the one you can buy if you aren't confident with your matchup. You can build it against what you think is a lane bully for you or matchups you can't do well. 
  • Cloth ArmorCloth Armor is what I do if I want to get an early Bramble VestBramble Vest , like when you are facing Aatrox.

Note: I know that Ruby CrystalRuby Crystal doesn't build into some offensive items that are good for Jax like Trinity ForceTrinity Force and Blade of the Ruined KingBlade of the Ruined King but pretty much don't sell it, as you might use it to build other good items.

CORE ITEMS


You always need a sheen item, so choose between Divine SundererDivine Sunderer or Trinity ForceTrinity Force . Trinity Force offers attack speed and somewhat more burst damage, while Divine Sunderer offers more durability with more health and healing. Always build either one of these as your first item, but if you are rushing Blade of the Ruined KingBlade of the Ruined King or Wit's EndWit's End , then build them afterward.

BOOTS & ENCHANTMENTS


For the Enchantments, It's free of your choice.

SITUATIONAL ITEMS



  • Death's DanceDeath's Dance is good if you need armor.
  • Blade of the Ruined KingBlade of the Ruined King good sustained damage item. Commonly build after your sheen items, but feel free to prioritize more on defensive items if needed.
  • Sterak's GageSterak's Gage Makes Jax can survive bursts while offering a huge amount of AD.
  • Guardian AngelGuardian Angel . Revive and armor, nice. Also don't forget to replace it with other items while on cooldown.
  • Wit's EndWit's End is your go-to item against AP threats.
  • Frozen HeartFrozen Heart is an alternative option to death's dance if you need more armor, losing some AD but in return, you have more mana, armor, and ability haste.
  • Randuin's OmenRanduin's Omen against 2 or more crit threats, or if one of them is really fed.
  • ThornmailThornmail for anti-heal for AD threats.
  • Force of NatureForce of Nature is best second MR item if the enemies are mostly AP.
  • HullbreakerHullbreaker for taking down turrets early while also boosting your 1v1 power with the resistance it provides. 

OTHERS: 

  • Black CleaverBlack Cleaver have somewhat high gold efficiency, but is still better than mortal reminder for armor shred.
  • Sunfire AegisSunfire Aegis is kinda niche, but is still viable, and also good for long fights.
  • Spirit VisageSpirit Visage for teammates who heal a lot and if the enemies are all mostly AP.
  • Maw of MalmortiusMaw of Malmortius if you just want to build full MR because the enemies are all AP, but offers AD and magic shield instead.
  • RiftmakerRiftmaker is niche, but is usable you are feeling about getting vamp, and also good for long fights.



WHY OTHER ITEMS AREN'T HERE?


I understand that some of you might be asking that some items aren't here because, in my opinion, they are not that good with Jax. So here are some of them with my opinions on why they are not included.


  • Dead Man's PlateDead Man's Plate offers movement speed, but is a huge waste on Jax early on. Maybe buyable as your 6th item when needed.
  • Youmuu's GhostbladeYoumuu's Ghostblade is like Dead Man's Plate, but with more terrible stats.
  • Mortal ReminderMortal Reminder is an anti-heal physical item, but also has bad stats. If you are facing AP champions who heal a lot, just rely on your teammates than buying this.

Jax Runes

Best Runes for Jax

Keystone
Grasp of the Undying
Grasp of the Undying
Domination
Brutal
Brutal
Resolve
Hunter Titan
Hunter Titan
Inspiration
Hunter Genius
Hunter Genius

Please note that the runes above are not matchup specific and are just solid choices, as you shall change them depending on the matchup. ConquerorConqueror is the best for Jax.

Other usable keystones include Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying , Lethal TempoLethal Tempo , Kraken SlayerKraken Slayer , and Fleet FootworkFleet Footwork .

1ST SLOT (DOMINATION)


HUNT AND ELIMINATE PREY

BrutalBrutal

  • For more damage in the early game.

TriumphTriumph

  • An excellent rune for sustain after takedowns.

Hunter VampirismHunter Vampirism

  • An excellent rune for extra sustain during the laning phase and team fights.

WeaknessWeakness

  • Effect is good, but only can be activated through his [jax:3].

Sudden ImpactSudden Impact

  • Same as weakness, but only through his [jax:1].


2ND SLOT (RESOLVE)


LIVE FOREVER

Hunter TitanHunter Titan

  • A good rune to stack your health. The tenacity it gives is also excellent for all matchups as now all champions have crowd controls or slows. Good on any matchups.

Second WindSecond Wind

  •  A good rune that works really well against poke heavy lanes or lane bullies like Malphite.

Bone PlatingBone Plating

  • Take this rune if your matchup is engage-heavy like Renekton, take this unless you are confident that you can counter each of your matchup engages with your [jax:3]

Adaptive CarapaceAdaptive Carapace

  • Like hunter - titan, this rune is a really solid rune and can be played into any matchups.

ConditioningConditioning

  • It offers nothing early on, but the resistance it provides is invaluable in the late game.

Nullifying OrbNullifying Orb

  • For survive bursts, keep in mind that it can be played around easily in the early game.

3RD SLOT (INSPIRATION)


OUTWIT MERE MORTALS

Hunter GeniusHunter Genius

  • This is a good rune to stack your ability haste. Good on any matchups.

MastermindMastermind

  • Jax is an excellent pusher as his passive helps him to destroy turrets fast. Using this rune will make you faster destroying it by 10% and also grant more gold and XP.

Sweet ToothSweet Tooth

  • Excellent rune against lane bullies or just for a better early game.

[demolish]

  • Makes his pushing power so much better.


Skill Order

How to distribute skill points

Relentless Assault
Relentless Assault - Passive
Leap Strike
Leap Strike
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Empower
Empower
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Counter Strike
Counter Strike
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Grandmaster's Might
Grandmaster's Might
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Summoner Spells

When to take which summoners

Flash
Always take this every time along with the other situational spell.
Barrier
Ignite
Offensive option. Just note you mostly will be destroyed by those who used barrier.

Combos

Learn how to maximize the champions potential

Counter Strike
3rd
Leap Strike
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Empower
2nd
Counter Strike
3rd

A typical gap-close combo for Jax. 

Use your Counter StrikeCounter Strike then jump to your enemy with your Leap StrikeLeap Strike . Sometimes you can do use Counter StrikeCounter Strike after using Leap StrikeLeap Strike if you are not sure. Do an auto-attack and reset it quickly with you EmpowerEmpower . After that, quickly recast your Counter StrikeCounter Strike to end it to stun your enemies, or if they are still in your area of Counter StrikeCounter Strike , just wait until the duration comes off, and then back off, if it's in the early game.


Leap Strike
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Empower
2nd
Counter Strike
3rd

This is a "poke" combo for Jax. This is one of the best combos to damage your enemies while losing but is also dangerous because you sometimes can lose your health a lot or even die. Engage your enemy with your Leap StrikeLeap Strike and EmpowerEmpower . Then run and use your Counter StrikeCounter Strike . If you are suffering too much damage, use your Grandmaster's MightGrandmaster's Might also. 

Note: Even if you're losing, don't use this against some matchups. You sometimes also can use this even though you're winning.

Auto Attack
AA
Auto Attack
AA
Leap Strike
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Empower
2nd

Stack your Relentless AssaultRelentless Assault attack speed on minions, then engage your enemies so you have the attack speed advantage.

Leap Strike
1st
Auto Attack
AA
Empower
2nd

Just a simple combo if you wanted to do a short trade against your enemy.

Jax Matchups & Counters

Detailed information on how to play matchups and counters

Xin Zhao
Easy
Xin Zhao
Irelia
Easy
Irelia
Diana
Easy
Diana
Jarvan Iv
Easy
Jarvan Iv
Yasuo
Easy
Yasuo
Camille
Easy
Camille
Tryndamere
Easy
Tryndamere
Akali
Medium
Akali
Jayce
Medium
Jayce
Renekton
Medium
Renekton
Wukong
Medium
Wukong
Teemo
Medium
Teemo
Olaf
Medium
Olaf
Kennen
Medium
Kennen
Nasus
Medium
Nasus
Singed
Medium
Singed
Kayle
Medium
Kayle
Gragas
Hard
Gragas
Malphite
Hard
Malphite
Pantheon
Hard
Pantheon
Garen
Hard
Garen
Dr. Mundo
Hard
Dr. Mundo
Vayne
Skill
Vayne
Graves
Skill
Graves
Jax
Skill
Jax
Fiora
Skill
Fiora
Riven
Skill
Riven
Darius
Skill
Darius

Easy matchup. When he tries to all-in you with his Audacious ChargeAudacious Charge , use your Counter StrikeCounter Strike INSTANTLY to dodge all of his Three Talon StrikeThree Talon Strike auto-attacks. Then trade back, as he doesn't have any abilities to escape and just gap close.

Jax

Comments
Look at the nice things other people said!
You must be logged in to comment
Arkid
2 years ago
Amazing guide man, match-up wise I wanted to say Singed is one of the hardest match-up for Jax. Jax can't all-in in this match-up and has to look for plays in other parts of the map.
FraAldemar
2 years ago
Thx man,you really helped me,keep going :)
Eartzeko
2 years ago
Nice guide, but i wanted to ask : against an ap (gragas,akali etc) is it worth to build jax ap(with nashor tooth and lichbane) or to build him hybrid(with hextech) or should i still build ad with mr?
DumbNoobHuman
2 years ago
And It's kinda troll, so maybe try it in lower ranks. If you really wanna try it then i just recommend you to add abyssal mask on your build.
DumbNoobHuman
2 years ago
Well, I know that AP gives you more mr on your ult but I still recommend you to build hybrid with some defensive items because Jax is really vulnerable to cc which most AP champions have.
SilverNova
2 years ago
Wow, really detailed guide. You can see that a lot of effort was put into this! Thank you very much!!
DumbNoobHuman
2 years ago
Thanks! I just want to clarify that do you agree with the matchups because I would love to know your opinion^^