1

JAYCEMIDLANEGUIDEBYGanoesP4ran

Bookmarks:
Introduction
CommentaryonitemchangesandtheeffecttheyhaveonJayce
ItemBuilds
SkillOrder,AbilityCombos,Runes,MasteriesandSummonerSpells
BriefanalysisofrecentappearancesofJayce(bothinSoloQand
competitiveplay)after
preseasonchanges
GeneralTips
Conclusion

(AllcreditgoestoFiveontheforthepicture:
http://fiveonthe.deviantart.com/
)

Introduction:
DearLadiesandGentlemen,

Aftermanyhoursofhardwork,testingandcommitment,Ihavedecidedtopublishthemost
detailedmidlaneJayceguidefortheupcomingseason6.Withtheintroductionofthepreseason
wehaveexperiencedmanychangesthathaveinfluencedJaycedirectlyandindirectly.Therehas
beenalotofconfusionandanongoingdebateaboutJayceandwhatisthemostoptimalwayto
playhim/buildhiminthecurrentmeta.Theaimofthisguideistohelppeoplelearnmoreabout
the"DefenderofTomorrow",Jayce,andunderstandhiscurrentroleandidentityinthegame.
ThisguideisnotsimplydirectedtowardsJaycemains.Itisdirectedtoeveryplayeroutthere,
fromlowtierstoevenprofessionalplayers(andImentionprofessionalplayersbecauseIhave
seencaseswheretheyhavepickedJayceandbuildhimverywrongly).

Wearefirstgoingtodiscussafewthingsaboutthepreseasonchangesandhowtheyaffected
Jayce'sidentityandbuildinthegame.Thenwearegoingtoanalyzedifferentbuildsinaneffort
tofindwhatbuildismoreoptimalforeachsituationthatJaycemightencounter.Thisisgoingto
beaverylongreadbutIwouldsuggestyoustaytunedtilltheend(withoutskippinganysection)
fortheplainreasonthattheanalysisfollowsacohesivestructureanditisveryimportantto
followthelineofthoughttomakethemostoutofthisguide.Besides,thereasoningbehindthe
verdictsthatwearegoingtoreachthroughoutthisguidewillbebasedonthelineofthoughtthat
wefollowed,soyouneedtogetagoodgraspofitinordertobetterunderstandwhywereach
certainconclusions.Lastbutnotleast,IwillusesimplemathematicsandformulasonlywhereI
deemittobenecessaryinanefforttomakethisguideasaccessibleaspossibletotheaverage
reader.(Importantnote:Allmyanalysisisbasedonbothactualgamingexperienceand
theorycraftinanefforttobuildaverycredibleguide).
BeforewedivedeeperintoexaminingthechangesthatRiotintroducedwiththepreseason
changesandtalkingaboutbuilds,Iseefittogiveabriefintroductionaboutmyself.Iamanavid
LeagueofLegendsplayerthathasbeenplayingthegameforbothitsentertainingsideandits
competitivenature.Ihaveplayedmanydifferentgamesbefore(mmos,moba,rts)andIconsider
myselftoexcelinthetheorycraftingdepartment.WhileIdon'thavethetime,unfortunately,to
fullycommitmyselfandreachMasterorevenChallengerTierduetomystudiesandbusy
studyingschedule,Ihavemanagedtoplaythegameataconsiderablyhighleveloverthepast
fewyears(fromlowtohighdiamond)inEUW,EUNEandNAserver.Iamcurrentlyresidingin
DiamondV(asIdidn'thaveenoughtimetocommitandclimbhigher)andItestchampionsfor
thesakeoftheorycraftingandinordertogetreadyforthenewseason.Myexperiencessofar
drovemetowritethisguideforaverydearfriendthatrecentlystartedplayingLeagueandshe

fellinlovewithJayce.Afterseeingmyguidesheurgedmetopublishitdespitemyinitial
hesitation,becauseitisbetterifthatsmallcontributionbringssmilesinthefacesofmorepeople.
WhyJayce?
IfirststartedplayingJaycebecauseofhisherolikenature:"TheDefenderofTomorrowthat
willmakesuretocreateabrighterfuture"!
Moreover,hisloadedkitandhishighdifficultytoplayproperlyandmasterweresomeofthe
determinantfactorsthaturgedmetopickupthischampion.Ihaveregisteredover500kmastery
pointsaltogetherinallmysmurfaccounts(bothEUandNAaccounts).Ifirmlybelievethat
Jayceisoneofthestrongestchampionsingamebecausehiskitoffershimeverythinga
championwouldaskfor,butmoreimportantly,heisveryversatileandcanadjusttodifferent
situationsanddifferentmatchups.Allinall,IstronglybelievethatJaycedoesn'thavereal
countersduetohisversatilenature(althoughtherearesomenotablechampionsthatcanmake
hislaningphasequitedifficultaboutwhomwearegoingtotalklater)andhisefficiencyasa
championwillpurelyrelyonhisusers'ability,decisionmakingandinnovation.SimilartoRiven
(andothermechanicallydifficultchampions),Jayceisveryunforgivinganditwilltakemany
hoursandgamesofpracticeinordertobeabletostandinlaneasaworthyopponent.Hiscurrent
lowwinrateisverymisleadinganddoesnotrepresentthetruth.Surely,Jaycehasseenhigher
highsinthepast,butevennowheisatadecentspotunlikehowpeoplemakeitappear.
Withthatbeingsaidandwithoutwantingtoborethereaderwithanymoreirrelevant
information,"it'stimetoshowtheworldwhatthefuturelookslike"!
Jayceinretrospect
:
InpreviousseasonsJayceusedtobeplayedmostlyasapokechampion(despitehisvery
versatilekit).TheitemizationwasoneofthehighestcontributingfactorstothatasMuramana,
BrutalizerandLastWhisperusedtobereallystrongandsynergizeperfectlywellwitheach
other.Withthenewchanges,theremovalofBrutalizer(orratherthesplittingofitintwo
differentitems),theslightincreaseofMuramana'sprice,thechangesinthepaceofthegame,but
moreimportantlythehugenerftoLastWhisperfromhavingitignorea%ofthetarget's
total
armor
tohavingitignoreonlya%ofthetarget's
bonusarmor
,Jayce(andnotonly)washeavily
affected.Manyplayersrushedtoconclusionthatthesechangescompletelyruinedtheidentityof
Jayceandtheyabandonedhim.WhilethefaithfulJaycemainsdecidedtostaystronglikeatree
inthewindandexperimenttilltheyfindwhatisthemostoptimalpathtoplayJayceinthisnew
season.
ItshouldbewisetotalkabitabouttheidentityofJayceasachampion.AsIalready
mentionedabove,Jayce'sstrengthdoesnotprimarilylieinthehighADratiosofhisaccelerated
ShockBlast(QEcombo),butratherinhisversatilitytoadjustindifferentsituations(kitwise

andbuildwise).Unfortunately,fortoolongJaycewaslabeledandplayedpurelyasapoke
champion(abusingtheQEcombo)andpeoplewereforgettingthathiskitoffersmorethanthat.
Nevertheless,wecannnotblameplayersforgivingJaycethe"pokeidentity"becausetheold
itemsandbuildwere,indeed,reallystronganditwashardtooverlookthesefacts.Furthermore,
Jaycealsodidn'thavethatmanyitemchoicesbackthenandthatwasacatalystforplayinghim
mainlyasapokechampion.
OneoftheaimsofRiotinthisupcomingseasonistogiveeverychampionanidentityand
makethemfeeldifferent,ratherthanhavingplayersandteamsalwaysrunpredetermined
compositionsandbuildsrespectivelybecausetheyareFOTM.Inotherwords,Riotwantsteams
andplayerstomakemoreconsiderablechoicesbothabouttheirchampionpicksbutalsoabout
theirbuildpathsdependingonthegameplanandthecircumstancethatarisethroughoutthe
durationofagame,ratherthanmakingpurelyautomateddecisions.Tofulfillthatgoal,Riot
introduceddrasticchangesonADCchampionsandtheiritemization(andnotonly).SinceJayce
isachampionthatoptsforADitems,thesechangesaffectedhim.Thesechangesforcedplayers
toreconsideraboutJayceandabouthiscurrentidentity:WhatbuildshouldIgofor?Which
itemsaregoingtogivemethehighestdamageoutput?AmIsupposedtokeepplayingJayceasa
pokechampion?ThesearesomeofthecommonquestionsoutthereandIamheretoprovideyou
withclarityonthetopic.
Takingthelastparagraphintoaccount,Iwouldliketobrieflyansweroneofthe
frequentlyaskedquestionsaboutitembuildsbysayingthatcurrentlytherearemorethanone
itembuildsavailable(unlikebefore)andwhichoneyouchoosewillnotrelyonpreferencebut
ratherondifferentmatchupsandondifferentsituationsandcircumstancesthatonebravesoul
canencounterinthedurationofagame.Aswementionedpreviously,andforgivemeifIkeep
repeatingmyselftosomeextentbutitisquiteimportantthatthemessagegetsthroughtothe
reader,Jayceisnotachampionthatyouplayandbuilddependingonyourpreferencesifyouaim
togetthefullpotentialoutofthischampion(e.g."IprefertospamQE,thereforeIgofora
pokeorientedbuild",or"IlikehimmoreasanADC/Tanksolet'sbuildhimlikeone").Jayce's
versatilitymustbeusedasa"swordandshield"toadjusttodifferentsituationandtodifferent
opponents.That'sagoldenruleandpleasekeepthatinmindwheneveryouplayJayce
competitively(rankedsoloQorevenprofessionalgaming)throughoutthiscurrentSeason6.
AsNarakylepointedoutinhisrecentvideoguideforJayceinseason6,manypeoplekeep
forgettingthatthestrongestsourceofJayce'sdamageisHyperCharge,hisWfromrangedform:
Itamplifiesthedamageofhisnextthreebasicattacks.However,whatsomepeoplemightnotbe
awareofisthefactthatunlikemostdamagemodifiersoutthereJayce'sHyperChargecancrit:

The enhanced attacks can

critically strike
and will stack with critical strike
damage multiplicatively (
i.e. at rank 5 a critical strike with no modifiers and
Hyper
Charge
active will deal 110% 2 = 220% damage
).
Now,sayyouhaveanInfinityEdge,alevel1HyperChargecritwilldeal175%damageanda
level6HyperChargewilldeal275%damage,whichisadmittedlyextremelyhigh.
Importantnote
:Beforepatch5.1thecritdamagewasevenhigherandalevel5HyperCharge
alongwithanInfinityEdgewasdoing325%damageuntilitwasnerfed.Nevertheless,nobody
candenythefactthatthedamageoutputofHyperChargeisstillreallyhigh.
WiththeitemchangesinpreseasonwesawRiottoheavilyfavorcritasmostADitemsout
thereofferitasasecondarystat.ThathasmademanyJayceplayerstooptforcritwhichisan
interestingchoiceandwearegoingtoanalyzeinthefollowingsections.

Lastbutnotleast,eventhoughJaycelostoneofhiscorestrengths,whichwastheoldLast
Whisperpassive,Riotgranteduswithaflatarmor/magicpenetrationmastery,"Precision",and
buffedcertainitemstogiveusmoreflatarmorpenetration.Inorderwords,wecanachievea
higherflatpenetrationcapthanbefore.Butisitworthit?Let'sproceedtothenextsectionsand
findout!

CommentaryonitemchangesandtheeffecttheyhaveonJayce
:

ImportantClarification
:Belowwearegoingtotalkaboutthechangesinitemsandwewill
usetheterm"goldefficiency".Goldefficiencyisnotalwaysameasureofhowstronganitemis,
sincetherearemanyvariablesthatchangefromtheorytopractice.Goldefficiencyshouldbe
interpretedbythereaderasageneralideatohelphimacquireanunderstandingoftheitemina
theoreticalperspective.Thereisnoaccuratewaytomeasuretheefficiencyofcertainitem
passivesandutilitiesthattheymayoffer.Theonlyrealisticgoldefficiencymeasurementcanbe
executedonitemsandtheircomponentsthatgiverawstats.
EssenceReaver
:
Tobeginwith,oneofthemostinterestingandbeneficialforuschangewasEssenceReaver.
EssenceReavernowprovidesuswith20%criticalstrikechancewhichcomesinhandywith
Jayce.ButwhatmakesEssenceReaveranexceptionallygooditemforJayceisitsnewpassive
thatgrantsuswithupto20%bonusCDRdependingonourCriticalStrikeChancefromother
sources.Whatdoesthatmeaninpractice?ItmeansthatJaycenolongerneedstorunCDRrunes
orCDRbootsasinthepastbecausenowitiseasierthanevertoreachthatsweet40%CDR.
EssenceReaverisanitemthatfitsmostofthebuildswearegoingtodiscussbelowduetoits
veryusefulstatsandpassives.Also,wecannotomittomentionthatERnowgrantuswith+10%
CDRbydefaultandthatthesecondpassivereplenishes3%ofourmaximummanaeverytimewe

crit.Inotherwords,themoretimeswecrit,thelessmanaproblemswewillencounter.Finally,
EssenceReaveris93.75%goldefficient,withoutitspassive.ThepassiveofEssence
Reavermustgrantatleast8%CooldownReductionforittobegoldefficient(whichisreally
easytoachieve).Itisdefinitelyanitemthatyoushouldconsiderrushingbecauseitgivesan
exponential(quadratic)growthinyourdamageandsynergizessowellwitheverybuildyou
mightoptfor.
Youmuu'sGhostblade(situational)
:
TheslightreworkofYoumuu'sGhostbladebringsittoaveryinterestingspot.Whileitno
longergivescritchance,itsdamagehasbeenboostedfrom+30to+65.Thischangehasmade
thisitemcoreforADassassinslikeZedbecausetheymakebetteruseofthebonusattack
damagetoexecutetheirtargetsratherthantheextracritwhichwasnotthatneededoncertain
champions.GhostbladeusedtobeoneoftheitemsthatwasbuildviatheBrutalizerandJayce
madegreatuseofitforhispokeduetoitsarmorpenetration.Youmuu'sGhostbladeisoneofthe
mostefficientADitem(afterafullystackedMuramana)andthatfactcannotbeneglected:
Calculationsshowthatitis105.47%goldefficientwithoutitsactiveand161.41%whilethe
activeisup.Itisaveryusefultoolthatcanbeusedbothoffensively(whenyouwanttoclosethe
gap)ordefensively(whenyouwanttodisengage).Thequestionthatmightarisehereis:
"Isthis
itemusefulforJayceafterthepreseasonchanges?"
.Thefactswepresentedabovespeakfor
themselves:Ifthisitemwasusefulbeforethechangeswithitsmediocredamage,onecansay
thatitismanytimesmoreusefulatitscurrentstatebecauseJaycebenefitsalotfromthebonus
AD.
IsGhostblade,however,acoreitemineveryJaycebuild?
Theanswerwouldbeno.Whether
youaregoingtobuildYoumuu'sornotisgoingtodependontwofactors:1)Yourperformance
inearlygame2)Yourlaneopponentandtheenemyteamcompositionyouarefacing3)Other
variablesthatmayinfluenceyourgameorthatmayarise.
(Iamgoingtotalkaboutthesethree
basicfactorsmorethoroughlyafterIfinishmyanalysisfortheitemchanges)
.Overall,itisa
gooditemtobuyifyoueverhappentofallbehindinearlygamebecauseitprovidesamuch
betterboostwhenyouplayfrombehind(valueformoney).
Hexdrinkerand
MawoftheMalmortius(situational)

:
Hexdrinkerreceivedsomenerfsespeciallyitspassive,whichnowshieldsusforlessearlyin
thegamebutbecomesstrongerandstrongerasthegameprogresses.Asacompensationtheprice
ofitwasslightlyreduced.ItstillconstitutesausefulitemagainstAPassassinswithhigh
numbersofburstsuchasLeblanc.AnotherreasonwhyyoumightwanttopickupHexdrinkeris
duetothetweaksMawreceived.
ThereworkofMawoftheMalmortiusmadetheitemveryappealingtoJayceforvarious
reason:Firstly,itnowgives10flatarmorpenetration(unlikebefore)whichprovestobevery

useful,especiallyforapokeorientedbuild.Moreover,itgivesmoremagicresistthanitusedto
(asacompensationforthenerfsonHexdrinkerIguess).Butmoreimportantly,Maw'spassiveis
muchmoreusefulthanitusedtobe:Itgrantsusbonusattackspeed,spellvampandlifesteal
untilweleavecombat.Icannothidethefactthatthenewpassivesavedmemanytimestoescape
fromtheenemyjawsbytheskinofmyteeth.MawofMalmortiusis99.23%goldefficient
withoutitspassiveanditsgoldefficiencyincreasesto138.46%whentakingmagic
damagebelow30%maximumhealth.ItmakestheitemasolidchoicetobuywhenyoufaceAP
assassins(likeLeblanc)orchampionswithhighburst(likeBrand).
TheBlackCleaver(situational)
:
TheBlackCleaverusedtobeoneoftheitemswewereoptingforbeforethechangesbecause
ofitsuseful%penetrationgrantedbyitspassive,butespeciallybecauseitwasbuiltoutofthe
Brutalizer.ThepreseasonchangesboostedthebonusADofthisitemfrom40to55,decreased
thebonushpby100andincreasedthecostby500gold.Ifirmlybelievethatthisitemreceived
enoughspotlightlastseasonandespeciallyduringWorlds2015,wherewesawTopLane
brawlersdominatethemapwithitandnowitisnerfedinordertomakeitmoresituationalrather
thanahugeearlypowerspikeforcertainchampions.DuetoitshighcostIwillurgeyouto
avoidbuyingorrushingthisitemexceptincertainscenarios.WhileJaycecaneasilystackupthe
passiveandgetaniceamountof%armorpenetration,theremovaloflastwhisper(withwhich
BlackCleaversynergizedreallywell)andtherapidincreaseofCleaver'spricemakesthisitem
verysituationalforJayce.Besides,Jaycedoesnotfavorlongverylongtradesthroughoutthe
game.YouwillonlyneedtobuyBlackCleaverasalastitemandgiventhattheenemyhasat
least2or3tankychampionsthatyouhavetopiercethroughinordertoreachtheirbackline.
Muramana/
Manamune

:
AcrucialfactorandkeytoJayce'ssuccessinpreviousseasonshasbeenMuramana.The
reasonwhyplayershavebeenrushingthisitemisnotjusttosolvethemanaissuescausedby
constantpokinganduseofthefullrotation,butitsgoldefficiencyandhowwellitsynergizes
withJayce'soverallkit(includingtheQEpoke).Oncefullystacked,Muramanabecomesthe
mostgoldefficientADitemingame.Itspassive,however,iswhatmakesthemagichappenby
amplifyingourcomboandbasicattacksdamagebasedonourmana.Thepreseasonchanges
changedthebuildpathofManamuneandincreaseditspriceby200gold,whichisanerf.
Duetothechangesinthepaceofthegameandsincegamestendtoescalateandendmuch
quickerthanbefore,thereisanongoingdiscussionwhetherMuramanaisstillagooditemtoget.
Opinionstendtodifferhere.IwouldliketoofferaveryobjectiveviewonMuramanaandits
currentspottofinallysolvetheGordianknotthathasbeenbuggingpeoplethepastfewweeks.
Muramanaisanitemthatstacksslowlybutoffersahugepowerspikeonceitiscomplete
(usuallyataroundthe20thminutemark).ItsolvesallmanaproblemsthatJaycemayencounter

anditcanofferveryhighamountsofdamagewhencombinedwithotheritems(e.g.Trinity
Force).
WhatisthecostyouhavetopayinordertoattainMuramana'spower?
Simply,youhave
togiveupenoughofyourearlygamepoweranddominance(settingyourselfbehind),which
sometimesprovestobedisastrousagainstassassinsandhighburstchampionsthatcanabuse
theirearlypowerspikesbetterthanyou(sincetheywillprobablyoptforpuredamagestatsafter
theirfirstrecallwhileyoupicktearasfirstitem).
Butwait,wasn'tthiswhatwedidinprevious
seasonsaswellbutwestillmanagedtosurvive?
Indeed,withonlydifferencebeingthatthepace
ofthegameismuchfasternowandassassinsbeinginthespotlightonceagaindemandingan
answertotheirearlydominance.Previously,laningphaselastedlonger(farmfest)givingJayce
andotherchampionsthemuchneededtimerequiredtoreachtheirstrongpoints(withJayce's
strongerpowerspikebeingataround21st23rdminutemarkwhenhehadhisCDRboots,LW,
BrutalizerandhisfullystackedMuramana).Therewerealsosomeimportantnerfstotowers
makingthemdropfasterearlierinthegame,whilepreviouslyyouwouldusuallygroupupwith
yourteamandstartsieging.Sincepreseason,thegameplacesahighimportanceongettingearly
gamespikes,dominatingyourlaneandtranslatingyourdominancetootherlanes.
Sowhatistheverdict?Muramanaisstillaverystrongitemthatbecomesstrongerandstronger
asthegamegoesonbutithasbecomesituationalandyouwillwanttobuilditonlyincertain
casesandscenarios(forwhichIamgoingtotalkon"ItemBuilds"section).
TrinityForce
:
Literally,tonsofdamage!TrinityForcereceivedquiteafewtweaksduringthepreseason
that,overall,madetheitemanevenmoreappealingchoiceforJayce.Firstofall,itprovidesyou
with20%criticalstrikechange(upfrom10%).Ifyoucombinethatbonuscritchancewith
EssenceReaver,yougeta+10%CDR.Moreover,itnowgrantsa10%CDRbydefaultwhichis
hugeforJayceforthereasonweexplainedpreviously.That10%CDRderivesfromthenew
Sheen,whichnolongergrantsabilitypower(abilitypowerisremovedfromTrinityForce)
makingitaveryappealingrushitemearlyonsinceJaycecaneasilyabuseitspassive.Trinity
Forceoffersahugepowerspikeonceyoupickitintheearlytomidgame,butafterthatithasa
linearscaling(becauseitsdamagesourcefromitspassiveisnotaffectedbybonusstatsbutfrom
basedamagethatincreaseslinearoneverylevel)comparedtothequadraticscalingofEssence
Reaver.Itisanitemthatyoucanbuildeitherfirst,second(afterEssenceReaver)orthird(after
EssenceReaverandanothercoreitem).Whenisbettertobuildisnotsetinstoneanditwill
totallydependonyourlanematchupandonhowthegamegoes.
Death'sDance(situational)
:
Thisisoneofthenewlyintroduceditemsinthepreseasonandaveryinterestingone.What
makesitinterestingisnotonlythefactthatitgivesJayceaheftyamountofADand10%CDR,
butitsuniquepassive.Basically,whatitdoesistostoreup12%ofalltheincomingphysicaland

magicdamageandreceivethatdamageasaDOT(damageovertime)bleedingeffect.Inother
words,thisisanantibursttoolthatgivesyouasmallwindowoftimetoregeneratethebleeding
DOTyouaregoingtoreceive.Tospicythingsup,Death'sDance2ndpassiveinstantlyhealsyou
for12%ofallphysicaldamagedealt(includingbothphysicaldamagespellsandautoattacks).
Theoretically,itmeansthatifyoudealequalorhigherdamagethantheburstdamageyouare
goingtoreceive,itprettymuchoffersyoua12%passivedamagemitigationwhichishuge.
Whilethisitemsneedsfurthertestingtoseehowefficientisinarealtimescenarioratherthana
theoreticalscenario,itcertainlyissomethingtokeepaneyeon.Iwouldsuggestbuyingthis
whenyouarefacinghighburstchampionssuchasLeblanc,Brand,Aniviaetcwhereyouwantto
buytimeandmitigatetheirhighdamageoutput.Sincetheitemgiveyouanadditional10%
CDR,youneedtoconsidercarefullyhowyouwanttofitthatitemandtheextra10%CDRin
yourfinalbuildorifyouaregoingtosacrificethe10%CDR(sinceyouwillalreadyhave40%
CDRwithER,TFandIE)justforthesakeofthepassiveandthelifesteal.Allinall,Ibelieve
thatthisisagreatitemonJaycetofillyourlastitemslotswhenyouareaheadofyour
opponentsintermsoflevelsanddamageandyoucanutilizethe12%mitigationgivenbythe
passive.
InfinityEdge
:
InfinityEdgereceivedanoteworthynerfinitsADfrom80to65.Thatbasicallymeansthat
thecomponentsofIEgivetheexactsamestatsthatthecombineditemgives,whilethecombined
itemprovidesyouonlywithitspassive(whichscaleswelllaterinthegameonceyoualreadyget
yourhandsonsomecrit).Inpractice,thatmeansthatInfinityEdgeisnolongeragooditemto
rush(youarebetteroffbuyingitsADcomponents,completeyourZealitemandthencomplete
IE,basicallywhatmostADCchampionsdo).Historically,JayceneverrushedIE.Previously,he
wouldonlybuilditasaluxuryfinalitem(anditwasstillverysituational).Withthechangesto
EssenceReaver,InfinityEdgehasbecomeacoreitemforJaycebecauseitwillofferahuge
powerspike(combinedwithER)thatsurpassesanyothercombinationof2itemsburstwise
whenyouexecuteafullrotationonatarget(testedandconfirmedinbothatheoreticalandreal
timescenario).AsImentionedearlier,InfinityEdgefunctionsterrificallywellwithJayce'sW,
HyperCharge,amplifyinghisdamagemoreandmorethehigheryouleveluphisWuptoa
lovely275%damage(withalevel6W).It'sdefinitelyamustgoitembutwhetheryouaregoing
togetit2ndor3rdwilldependonthespecificsofthegameandhowitplaysout.Somefoodfor
thought:InfinityEdgeis85.42%goldefficientwithoutitspassive.InfinityEdge'spassive
increasesthegoldvalueofallcriticalchancebuiltby50%(Assumingcriticaldamageequals
+100%AD,1%criticalchanceisapproximatelyequalto+1%ADonhit.Highercritical
damagedirectlyaffectsonhitdamageandthusitsgoldvalue).
Therefore,itsgoldefficiencyincreasesby0.56%foreverycriticalchance%built,includingits

10

own.Itis96.53%goldefficientwithitspassiveanditrequiresatleast26.25%criticalchanceto
becomegoldefficient.
Bloodthirster/
MercurialScimitar(situational)

:
ThesetwobeautieshavebeenluxuryitemsforJayceandhewouldnormallypickuponeof
thetwoas5thor6thitemdependingonthesituation.Bloodthirsterreceivedafewnerfsinits
overallcostand5AD,butitsfunctionalityhasn'tchanged.ItisaluxuryitemthatJaycemight
considerpickingupas5thor6thdependingonhowthegameplaysout(andifthegame,of
course,goesthatlate).Youwillneverwanttopickthatitemearlyonbecauseitonlyoffersyou
rawdamageandnootherutility(likeCDRorcritchance,whichJaycerequires).Inaddition,if
youreachlategameandyouthinkofbuyingBloodthirster,youneedfirsttoevaluatethe
circumstances:
Istheenemyteamstackingarmor?
ThenImightbebetteroffwithLord
Dominick'sRegards/MortalReminderorBlackCleaver.
DoestheenemyhaveplentyofCC?
ThenImightbebetteroffwithMercurialScimitar.(Youmusthavegottentheideabynow.)
Personally,IhighlydoubtyouwilleverwanttobuyBloodthirsteraftertheMercurial'schanges.
MercurialScimitar,ontheotherhand,sawsomeinterestingchanges:Thebuildpathchanged
fromQSS+B.F.SwordtoQSS+VampScepterandPickaxe,butthecostremainedthesame.It
nowgrantsyouwith10%lifestealwhichisabeneficialchangeforADCchampions.Mercurial
ScimitarisaverysituationalitemforJaycethatyouwillbuyonlyinveryspecificscenarios.
Importantnote
:IfyouhappentolaneagainstaZedorMalzahar,youshouldconsidergettingthe
QSScomponentearlyon(andfinishtheitemnormallylaterinthegame).QSSisadirectcounter
toZed'sDeathMark(R)andMalzahar'sNetherGrasp(R)andMaleficVisions(E).Whileit
mightbetemptingtogetthatextradamageearlyonbyspendingthat1300goldonaB.F.Sword
let'ssay,ratherthanonQSS,youshouldneverunderestimatethese2championsastheycan
makeJayce'slifealivinghelliftheygetanedge.Andthatcomesfromsomeonewhosemost
playedandmainchampionisMalzahar.(Yes,yougotmehere)
Overall,BloodthirsterandMercurialScimitararereallycloseafterthechangessincetheyboth
providesustainvialifesteal.Ifirmlybelievethatifyoueverhappentobeinadilemmabetween
these2items,youshouldoptforMercurialScimitar100%ofthetimesbecauseofMercurial's
active.
Zealitems(situational)

Withtheintroductionofthepreseasononeofthemajorchangeswesawinitemswasthe
changeofStatikkShiv,PhantomDancer,andRunaan'sHurricaneandtheintroductionofanother
Zealitem,RapidFirecannon.
Let'sfocusonPhantomDancerandRapidFirecannon(exlcudingRunaan'ssinceJaycemakes
onlypartialuseofthatitemwheninrangedform,andStatikkShivduetoitshugenerfanddue
tothefactthatJaycedoesn'thavewaveclearingproblems).

11

ConsideringthatcurrentlyJaycefavorscritheavily,PhantomDancerandRapidFirecannon,
althoughabitsituational,canhelpJaycealot.PhantomDancerismoreofasplitpushing
orienteditemthatisverystrongina1v1scenario.
Letmeopenaparenthesishereforaquicklessononmacroplayanddecisionmaking:We
haveseenprofessionalmidlanerssuchasBjergsenplayZedmultipletimesduringLCS.They
usuallytendtogetanearlygameadvantagebypickingupakillortwo.Canyourecallwhatthey
doafterearlygamelaningphaseisover?Dotheygroupwiththeirteamandstartsieging?No.
Dotheykeepafkfarming?No.Dotheyforceplaysaroundthemapriskingtheirlivesinorderto
getkills?No.Whatplayerswithgooddecisionmakingandmacroplaydointhatspecific
situationinacompetitivegameistosplitpush(forcingthe131or14formation).The
reasoningbehindthatdecisionisrathersimple:Sincetheyhavegoldadvantage(thereforeitem
advantage)overtheiropponentstheygotosplitpushknowingthatnobodycanstopstemina
1v1scenariosincetheyalsohaveleveladvantageassololaners.Theoppositeteamwillhaveto
sendtwopeople(inbestcasescenario)asaresponsetostopthem.Thatmeansthattheygivea
shortopeningtotheirteamtoeithersecureotherobjectivesinthemap(dragon,drakes,Baron)
ortoforcethemismatchtotheiradvantageandcreatepicks.
Let'sgetbacktoPhantomDancernow.GreatJayceplayerswillsometimesfindthemselves
gettingaheadinearlygamebygettingkillsandsnowballing.Whattheymightwanttodo
(dependingonthespecificcircumstancesofthegame)istosplitpushbecausenobodywillbe
abletofaceyouin1v1.InsuchascenarioPhantomDancerwillgrantyounotonlywithhefty
amountofcritandattackspeed,butalsowithausefulpassivethatoffers12%damagereduction
againstthelastenemychampionhit,whichhasproventobecrucialinsomeofmygames.The
reasonthatJaycecanmakeuseofZealitemsandspecificallyPhantomDancer(unlikeZed)is
duetothefactthatJayceisnotanassassinbutaFighterchampion(althoughhishighburst
damagemayresembletothatofanassassin).
RapidFirecannonontheotherhandcanoffer50200bonusonhitmagicdamage(basedon
level)thatincreasesyourburstpotential.Inaddition,bothitemsprovideyouwithaniceamount
ofmovementspeed(note:ThereiscurrentlyabufftoPhantomDanceronPBEthatwillgranta
movementspeed%bydefaultcomparedtothecurrentstatewhereyougettheMSbonusonly
whenyouarewithin500unitsofanenemy).IhavetestedZealitemsinmanygames(inwhich
circumstancesallowedmeto)andIcansaytheyfunctionreallywellwiththecritbuildbutI
wouldsuggesttogetthemonlywhenyouareaheadandhaveasignificantleadoveryour
opponentsinceZealitemslackincertainaspectscomparedtootherADitems.Moreover,ifyou
goforaZealitemyouwillhavetobuyitintheplaceofTrinityForcewhichisnotsuggested
becauseTrinityForceoffershigherdamageoutputthananyotherZealitemandJaycecanmake
greatuseofitduetohisconstantspellcastingthatprocsTF'spassive.Overall,itisabithardto
tellpreciselyhowefficientaZealitemsuchasPDorRFCcanbeforJaycebecausetheirmain
sourceofenergycomesfromcriticalstrikes(sincetheyboostyourcriticalstrikechance
noticeably)andthatwillrelyonrng.ButIcandefinitelysaythattheyprovideafaster

12

powerspikethanTrinityForcebecausetheycostlessandcanbepurchasedfaster.
Lastbutnotleast,IwouldliketomakeaclarificationwithregardstotheZedexampleIgave
andhowaprofessionalplayerlikeBjergsenwouldhaveacted.ZedandJaycearetwodifferent
champions.Zedbenefitshighlyfromsplitpushingbecauseheisanassassinafterallandavery
mobileone,andhedoesn'texcelasmuchasJaycedoesina5v5teamfight.Ontheotherhand,
Jayceisaveryversatilechampion,asIhavesaidtimeandtimeagain,thatcanfillboththe
positionofasplitpusherandteamfighterwithgreatprowess.Therefore,Iwouldliketoavoid
creatingamisunderstandingbymakingthereaderbelievethateverytimehesnowballshislane
hehastogoandsplitpush.Thinkfirstandthenactappropriately!
LordDominick'sRegards/
MortalReminder

:
ThechangestoLastWhisperhitJaycereallyhardaswellasmanyotherchampions.Itisnota
secretthattanksareactuallystrongerthaneverrightnow(bothduetotheLWnerfandthe
introductionofthe"BondofStone"mastery).Overall,youarebetteroffbuildingLord
Dominick'sRegards(insteadofMortalReminder)in95%ofthecasesbecauseofitspassivethat
grantsyouwithupto15%damageagainstenemychampionswithgreatermaximumhealththan
you(+1,5%damageper50healthdifference,maxingat500healthdifference).Mortal
Reminder'spassivegrantsgrievouswoundsdebuffontheenemybutIdoubtyouwillencounter
agamewhereyouhavetoplayagainstMundo,Soraka,NidaleeandSonainthesameteam(the
infamoussupermegahealcomp!).YouarebetteroffpickingjustLastWhisper(whosepriceis
alsoreducedto1300gold)andupgradetoLordDominick'sRegardswhentheyhave150200
armorormore(Trivia:100armorequalsto50%damagereduction,150armorequalsto60%
damagereductionand200armorequalsto67%damagereduction)atwhichpointLord
Dominick'sbonusdamagecompensates.However,therealquestionhereiswhenshouldIbuy
thenewLastWhisper?It'sreallyhardtotellasthatwilltotallydependontheteamcomposition
youarefacingandtheiritemization.Also,mathcalculationsbecomereallysloppyatthispoint
sinceyoucannotrealisticallycalculatetherealdamageoutputofacritbuildJayceandwhether
thesecritswillcompensateforthelostdamageduetotheenemy'smitigation.Myexperienceso
farinpreseasongamesthatIhaveplayedandmyruleofthumbistobuildLastWhisper
whenevertheenemyteamhasatleasttwopeoplethatarebuildingarmor,butmorespecifically,
whentheyareintheprocessoffinishingtheirsecondarmoritem.FrommyexperienceIcansay
thatwithextraADandcrityouwillbeabletohaveahigherdamageoutputuptothepointan
enemychampionbuildshissecondarmorcoreitem(buteventhatissubjecttocriticismandnot
totallyaccurate).Again,itisreallyhardtomakeanaccuratejudgment.Afterall,whenyouare
playingyoudon'thavetheluxurytoopenupyourcalculatorandstartmakingcalculations.This
issomethingthatyouwillfindoutinstinctivelyduringthegameviatrialanderror.Butdefinitely
don'tneglectLastWhisperanditsupgrades(evenifitisashadowofitsformerself)whenyou
arefacingtanks.

13

OnelastthingtokeepinmindisthatLastWhisperanditsupgradestheoreticallydealmore
damagetobigtankswhostackalotofhealthandarmor,butsubstantiallylessdamageto
everyoneelse.
BootsOptions
:
Previously,JayceusedtoalmostalwaysbuildIonianBootsofLuciditytoreachtheCDRcap
(giventhatthesebootsoffered15%CDRbeforethechanges).WiththechangesinEssence
Reaveryouarecurrentlyabletoreachthemaximum40%CDRquiteeasily,sothereisnomore
reasontorushIonianBoots(becauseitisanabsoluteoverkillandlossofgold).Youhaveto
choosebetweenBerserker'sGreaves,BootsofSwiftness,Mercury'sTreadsandNinjaTabi.
NinjaTabiandMercury'sTreadsarebothdefensiveandprettysolidoptionstooptforwhenyou
arefacinganADorAPchampionrespectively.Personally,Iamconfidentinmyskillstoplay
JayceandImostlyoptforBootsofSwiftnessbecausetheygivemesomuchmovementspeed
thatboostsmyroamingaroundthemap(RotationsasMontewouldsay),butalsotheyhave
proventobeveryusefulwhenIkiteorwhenIperform"theGreatEscape".Inaddition,withthe
popularityofFrostQueen'sClaimanditsannoyingactiveabilitythatslowsyoudownforwhole
4seconds,BootsofSwiftness'passivemakesitanevenmoreappealingsinceitnotablyreduces
theeffectivenessofslows.ItendtogoafterdefensivebootsasacountermeasurewhenIhappen
tofallbehind.Lastbutnotleast,don'tforgettofurtherupgradeyourbootswithBoots
Enchantments.Personally,IfavorAlacrityupgrade(+20flatMS)becauseitfurtherboostsmy
rotationsaroundthemap,butthisisadecisionthatispurelybasedonpreferenceandplaystyle.

ItemBuilds:
AfterathoroughanalysisofthechangesandhowtheyaffectedJayce,it'sabouttimeto
proceedinlayingdowntheitembuilds.Aswementioned,therealpowerofJayceliesinhis
versatilityandabilitytoadaptindifferentscenariosanddifferentmatchups,somethingthat
manybinarychampionslack.ThatpracticallymeansthatJayce'sbuildisnotsetinstoneandit
willdependonthreefactors:
1)Yourlaneopponentandtheenemyteamcomposition
2)Yourperformance(especiallyinearlygame)
3)Anyothervariablesthatmayariseandaffectyourgameplay.

14

BasicTierItems:
Doran'sBladeand1potvs

LongSwordand3potsvs

Cull

AboutDoran'sBlade+1PotvsLongSword+3Potsthereisaverybeautifulmathematical
analysisthatcanbefoundhere:
http://www.leagueoflegendsmath.com/Articles/Starting_Items_Comparison.html
Nevertheless,keepinmindthatitisoutdatedandthenumbersofDoran'sBladeareslightlyoff
becauseithasreceivedaslightbuffsincethen.So,takethecalculationwithagrainofsalt.
Overall,youwillwanttobuildDoran'sBlade+1potineveryscenariobecauseitoutshines
longsword+3pots.Inthepast(especiallySeason4Worlds)allJayceplayersusedtostartwith
longsword+3pots(biscuits).Thereasonbehindthatand,ingeneral,thereasonbehindgetting
longswordearlyistobuildadvanceditemssuchasHexdrinker,VampiricScepter,SerratedDirk
andCaulfield'sWarhammerfasteronyourfirstrecall.BackthenforJayceLongSwordwasthe
basiccomponentforthealmightyBrutalizerandLastWhisper.Knowingthatyouweregoingto
sacrifice720goldforTear,whichsetsyoubehindearlyintermsofcombatstats,youwantedto
findawaytogetyourfirstitempowerspikefaster.Thus,theLongSword.Moreimportantly,
Doran'sBladewasalsonerfedbackthen,whichmadeLongSwordlookevenmoreappealing.
LongSwordwasusedasanaggressivetoolbyplayerssuchasPawnandDade(especiallyPawn)
topushtheirlaneopponentsoutofthelaneabusingtheoverpoweredstateofJaycebackthen.It
isimportanttoremember,however,thatPawnwasabletoplaysoaggressivelyandpushhis
opponentoutofthelanebecausemostofthetimeshehadvisionprovidedbyhisteamandhe
hadthebestjunglerintheworldguardinghisweakside.
Onthepreseason(5.22)patchDoran'sBladesawsomeslightbuffswhichmadeitagainthe
beststartingitemtooptforifyouareJayce.(NotethattherearestillchampionssuchasZedthat
mightwanttostartwithaLongSwordinordertorushSerratedDirkfaster).Inaddition,health
potionssawanoteworthynerfduetotheincreaseoftheirpricefrom35to50gold.Moreover,
sincethepreseasonchangesemphasizealotonNOTlosingyourlane(duetothefasterpaceof
thegameandtheincreasedlevelexperiencethatanopponentwillgetbykillingyou)youwill
wanttoavoidlosingbyanymeansnecessary.Onewaytoloseyourlaneisbygetting
outsustainedandsinceJaycehasrelativelylowrange,thatwillforcehimoutofthelane
resultinginlossofgoldandexperience,hencepartiallylosingcontrol.Let'slookatthesetwo
itemsfromagoldefficiencyscope:
LongSwordistheitemfromwhichtheADgoldvalueisderived,andassuch,itderivesa
valueof35goldperAD(makingit100%goldefficient).
Doran'sBlade,ontheotherhandprovides8AttackDamage,80Health,and3%LifeSteal.
8AD35goldperAD=280gold.

15

80HP2.666goldperHP=213.333gold.
3%LS37.5goldperLS=112.5gold.
UsingtheBasicItemStatistics,aDoran'sBladeisworth605.833gold,makingit134.63%gold
efficient.
Also,ifyoustartLongSwordyouwillhavetwoextrapotscomparedtoDoran'sBlade.
Assumingthatyouhavethe"SecretStash"masterythatturnshppotsintobiscuits,youget
165hpover16.5secplus20hpand10manainstantly,or166.21hpover16.5sec.(2x166.21hp
=332.42hpover33sec).WithDoran'sBladeyougetanextranet80hp.Therefore,theclear
profitfromthe2extrahpbiscuitscomesto:302.6680=252.42effectivehp.Statistically,you
autoattack50/60timesoverthecourseof2minutes(let'stake50,theleastvalue).Byauto
attacking50timesper2minuteswith3%lifestealgrantsJayce98.875effectivehpoverthe
courseof2minutesfromlvl15onaverage(basedonthebasedamageofJayceandassuming
youhave1ADQuintessenceasrunesandassumingyougetfullexperiencefromeachwave
meaningyouwillbelevel5after6minionwaves).In4minutesand34secondsafterthefirst
minionwave(8thminionwavemostlikely)youwillgenerate253.37~effectivehp,which
equalizesandsurpassestheeffectivehpyouwouldhavegottenifyouhad2extrahppots
(biscuits)andaLongSword.
Hence,itwilltakeyouaround4minutesand34secondsfromthefirstwavetogenerateas
mucheffectivehpgrantedbytwohpbiscuits(intheworstcase).
Note
:Takethesenumberswith
agrainofsaltastheymaynottranslatedirectlyintoanactualgamesincetherearemany
variablesthatwecannottakeintoconsiderationinourcalculations.Nevertheless,thenumbers
cangiveyouanestimateofwhenthelifestealfromDoran'sBladewillequalizethe2biscuits.
Also,don'tforgetthatDoran'sBladewillstayinyourinventoryforquiteawhileandthehpyou
generatefromlifestealwillscalebetterthehigheryourADis,sobytheendofthegameyouwill
getmuchmoreeffectivehpandforfreecomparedtohppotions.
ShouldIconsiderRefillablePotionorCorruptingPotionasalternatives?
Never!Unlessyouwantmetopostanotherwallofcalculations,youshouldbetteravoid
grabbingoneoftheseitems.Inallseriousness,theyarereallybadforthelikesofJaycebecause
youhavetosacrificeasignificantamountofyourearlystrengthinordertogetthem,which
cannotbeworthinanycase.Forcertainchampionsitmayprovetobeworth,butneverfor
Jayce.
WhataboutCull?
Cullprovides5AttackDamage,heals3lifeonhit,andgrants1extragoldperminionkill.
Reaching100minionkillsgives300goldanddisablesthepassive.UsingtheBasicItems
Statistics,theactualvalueofaCullis175gold,makingit38.89%goldefficient.Once100
minionshavebeenkilled,becomes127.78%goldefficient.
CullisaninterestingitembutitisnotmeanttobecomparedwithDoran'sBlade(because
Doran'sBladeoutshinesCull).The3lifeoneachhitisveryusefulandmoreefficientthanthe

16

3%lifestealofDoran'sBladeearlyonuntilyougrabsomeAD.At100ADthe3%lifesteal
equalizesthe3lifeonhitfromCullandanymoreADmakesDoran'sBladestronger.
IsthereanyoccasionwhereIshouldpickCull?
Yes!Sometimesithappensthateitheryoudieveryearlyinlanebyagankorina1v1
scenario,orsimplyyouropponentoutsustainsyouandpushesyououtofthelane.Asaresult,
youreturnbacktobasewithveryfewgold.InsuchanoccasionitwouldbewisetograbaCull
becauseitisanitemthatensuresthatyougetalmostfullreturnofthemoneyyouinvestedonit
(400outof450gold)+180extragoldwhenyousellit.Thereare2reasonwhyyouwanttoget
aCullandnota2ndDoran's:
1)Sincewetalkaboutveryearlygamewhereyoureturntobaseafteradeathorrecallwith
limitedgold,itmeansthatyouwillstillhavelessthan100AD.Therefore,Cullwillprovide
moresustainthanthe3%lifestealandthe+80hpofa2ndDoran'sBlade.
2)ThesecondandmoreimportantreasonisthatDoran'sBladecannotbeupgraded,so
practicallyitfurtherdelaysyoufromgettingyourcoreitems.Cull,ontheotherhand,ensures
thatyouwillgetarefundafteryoukill100minions+another180goldfromsellingit,whichis
aprofit.

CoreItems
:
Atthebeginningofthe"Builds"sectionImentioned3factorsthatwillinfluenceyourbuild.
Let'sfocusonthe1stone:"Yourlaneopponentandtheenemyteamcomposition".
Overall,thereare3basicbuildsthatJayceshouldoptfor:

1)(NormalBuild):EssenceReaver/TrinityForceInfinityEdgeSituationalitems
dependingonthegame
Thisisyourbreadandbutterbuild.Aftermanyhoursandgamesoftesting,thisbuildoffers
thebestdamagepowerspikeyoucangetwith3ADitems(ERTFIE)inboththeoreticaland
realisticscenario.ERoffersyouaquadratic(exponential)growththatcancatchmanypeople
offguardiftheyarenotthatfamiliarwithJayce'sdamageoutput.Thepokeisalsoextremely
strongwithERanddependingontherunesandmasteriessetupofyouropponent,oneQE
combocandealasmuchas1/3ofaLeblanc'sorBrand'shpbar(iftheydonotoptforSeeker's
armguardearlyonasacountermeassure).
TrinityForceoffersahugepowerspike,aswell,whenyoufirstpickitupandafterthatithas
alinearscaling(dependingonyourlevel).Ithelpsalotintakingdowntowersorsecuring
objectivesfast.

17

ShouldIbuyEssenceReaverorTrinityForcefirst?
Thatwilltotallydependonwhichchampionyouarefacinginlane.Ifyoufacechampionslike
Orianna,Riven,Gangplank,Kassadinetc.whereyoucanabusethepassivefromTrinityForce
thenyoudefinitelywanttooptforitasfirstitem.Ontheotherhand,whenyoufacechampions
likeAzir,Ahri,Brand,Leblancetc.thathavestrongearlygamepresenceandtheabilitytobully
youandpushyououtofyourlane,thenyouwanttobuyEssenceReaverasfirstitem.The
reason,asyoucanguess,isthatERoffersyoumuchhigherrawADthanTrinityForcesoyou
canuseittopokeyouropponentwithyourempoweredShockBlast(QEcombo)andmake
themthinktwiceiftheyaregoingtokeepplayingaggressive.Incontrast,withTrinityForceyou
havetogowithinautoattackrange,whichmakesyouvulnerableagainstsuchchampionsandis
somethingthatyouwanttoavoidunlessyouaregoinginforthefinalblow.
Importantnote
:WhenyouplayagainstAPassassins(likeLeblanc)orchampionswithreally
highburstdamage(suchasBrand)youshouldconsiderbuyingHexdrinkerasfirstitem.
Championslikethesehavetheabilityto1000yousoHexdrinkerisagoodprecautionearlyon
(similartohowSeeker'sarmguardisgoodforAPchampionswhentheyfaceADassassins).
AfteryougetHexdrinkeryoushouldcontinuewithyournormalbuildorder(ER/TFIE).
Anotherimportantnote
:Sinceitmighttakeenoughtimeuntilyoucompleteallofyourthree
coreitems(ER/TFandIE),youmightencountercaseswheretheenemyhasstackedplentyof
armorbythattime.WhatyoushouldconsiderisbuildingaLastWhisperafterthefirst2core
itemsinordertostayrelevantdamagewise.
Moreover,whenyougowithEssenceReaverasyourfirstcoreitemandyougetanadvantage
overyouropponent,youshouldalsoconsiderbuyingInfinityEdgeasyourseconditem.Infinity
Edgecanliterallymakeyourdamageskyrocketanditisdefinitelyasolidseconditemtoget.
ER+IEcombinationoffersaslightlyhigherAlloutBurst(Alloutburstmeanstheburstyou
achieveinonefullrotation)comparedtoER+TF,butER+TFcombinationoffersslightly
moredamageinanextendedteamfightscenariowhereyouaregoingtoprocTF'spassive
multipletimes.
UsuallysoloQgamesendataroundthemarkyouhaveall3ofyourcoreitems.If,however,
youhappentobeinagamethatisprolongeduntillategame,youshouldcriticallythinkabout
whatsituationalitemarethebestforthespecificcircumstancesofyourgame(dependingonthe
enemycomposition).Eachgameisdifferentanditshouldbetreatedlikethat.Ifyouareunsure
aboutwhatsituationalitemchoicesyouhaveandwhatistherightoneforyou,revisitandread
pleasetheprevioussectionandtheanalysisoftheitemsafterthechanges.Alsopleaseavoid
buildingLuciditybootswiththisbuildasitisacompleteoverkillandlossofgold(youaregoing
togetthat40%CDRsoonerorlaterwithoutLuciditybootsoranyotherbonusfromrunes.
Again,visittheprevioussectionandreadaboutbootsifyouarenotsure.

18

2)(SlowscalingBuildHighestdamageoutputafteryoucompletethe4coreitemsand
onwards):MuramanaEssenceReaver/TrinityForceInfinityEdgeSituationalitems
dependingonthegame
ThisbuildwasalsosuggestedbyNarakyle,anavidKoreanJayceplayerthatresidesin
ChallengerTierinKoreansoloQ.Theonlychangewiththepreviousbuildistheadditionof
Muramana.However,eventhatonechangeisenoughtoshakethebalancesandit'simportantto
offersomeinsight.
IgavesomeinitialthoughtsaboutMuramana,ingeneral,earliersolet'sgetdowntothe
specifics.MuramanaalongwithEssenceReaver,TrinityForceandInfinityEdgeoffersboththe
highestDPSavailableandAlloutBurstyoucangetfromacombinationofany4items(for
Jayce).Nevertheless,thereisonehugepricethatyouhavetopayinordertoattainthatpower:It
takesalotoftimetobuyalltheseitemsandforthebuildtorampup,whichmightresultinyou
losingasignificantportionofyourdamagethatisgoingtobediminishedbytheenemyteam's
tanks(becauselet'snotforgetthatitisnotjustyouwhoisgettinggoldandbuilditemson
Summoners'Rift,butalsotheenemyplayers).Also,youhavetogiveupalotofyourearlygame
dominanceandplaymoreconservativelyuntilyouhityourpowerspikes(becausethelastthing
youwantwiththatbuildistofallfurtherbehind).
ThenwhydoesNarakylesuggestthatbuildifithassoobviousweaknesses?
Toanswerthisquestion,let'srecallthe3rdfactorIlaiddown:"Anyothervariablesthatmay
ariseandaffectyourgameplay".Oneveryimportantvariablethatpeoplemightignoreisyour
Division.InChallengersoloQandincompetitiveplay,wheretheplayersareprofessionalsand
havemuchhighergameknowledgeandmechanicalprowessthantheaverageplayer,theytend
toplayverysmartandflawlesslyleavinglittletonospacefortheiropponentstopunishtheir
mistakes.Therefore,matchupsbetweentwoequallyskilledplayerstendtobeveryconservative
andmoreofafarmfest.Takethebiggestmajoreventthisyear,Worlds2015,asanexampleand
observehowthematchupbetweentwoequallyskilledmidlaners(andtwoequally
skilledteams,nottoptierteamslikeSKTagainstunderdogs)playedout.Youwillnoticethatthe
midlanersplayedveryconservativelyandfocusedonperfectfarmingwhiletheyweretryingto
findanopening.Thathappensnotbecausetheywerejustafraidtomakeamove,butsimply
becausewhentheskillgapoftwoplayers(atthehighestlevel)issoclose,thereisnotmuch
roomlefttopunisheachother.ManypeoplecriticizedFakerduringWorldfornotbeingas
aggressiveasbeforeandmakeflashyplays.ThereasonisnotbecauseFakerwas
underperforming,butbecausetheskillgapbetweenthetopKoreanplayersandtherestofthe
worldhasstartedclosing,whichleavesnotenoughroomforFakerandothertopplayerslikehim
tocreatebighighlightsasinthepast.Thatdoesn'tmeanofcoursethatplayerscannotinnovate,
pickaggressivechampions,outplaytheiropponentsandforcehighriskhighrewardplaysto
createopenings.Butitgivesyouthegeneralideabehindthepassivenesswewitnessedinrecent

19

majorevents.
Incontrast,inDiamondandthelowerdivisionsplayerskillsandgameknowledgefluctuates
andvariesalotandgamesaremoreofabloodbath.EveninDiamond1(whichisthehighestI
haveeverachievedwhenIwasinNA)skillsdiffersomuchthatitsurprisesyou.
Let'sreturnbacktothemaintopicandconnectthedots.BytakingintoaccountwhatIsaidin
thepreviousparagraph,itbecomesclearwhyNarakylesuggeststokeepbuildingMuramana:If
youareconfidentinyourskillsthatyouaregoingtoplayyourearlygameflawlesslyandthat
youaregoingtoleaveasfewopeningsaspossibleforyouropponenttopunishyoufordeciding
tobuildalowscalingbuild,whichbecomesreallypowerfulafter2530minutes,thenyoushould
optforit.ItisverysimilartowhenAniviawantstobuildbothSeraph'sEmbraceandRodof
Ages.DuringWorldsinOrigenvsTSMmatch,wesawOrigentocreateateamcomposition
aroundAnivia.xPekeoptedforaverygreedybuild,RodofagesandSeraph'sEmbrace,that
requires2530minutestorampup.Iftheenemyteammanagestopunishyouforthatdecision,
thenyouenduplosingbadly.Butifyouplaysmartandyourteambuysyouthetimeyouneedto
hitthatminutemarkandyourpowerspikes,thenthereisnothingtostopyou.Inthatspecific
gamewesawOrigenplayreallysmartbuyingtherequiredtimeforxPeke,andoncexPekegot
hispowerspikeshisteamdominatedTSM.
ThisisbasicallywhyyouwillprobablyseeprofessionalplayerskeepbuildingMuramana
duringSeason6inacoordinateenvironment(iftheypickJayce)whentheyplayagainstequally
skilledopponents.Youmustunderstandbynowwhatisthemaindifferencebetweenthefirst
andthesecondbuild.
Lastbutnotleast,Iwouldliketopointoutafallacyandgrievousmistakethateven
professionalplayersmakeincompetitivegames.Someplayers(evenprofessionals)tendtobuy
ManamunereallyearlyandbeforeTearoftheGoddessisfullystackedwithoutunderstanding
thattheirbasemanaistoolowfortheitemtobeefficientintheearlygame.Isupposethatsome
playersdoitpurelyautomaticallywithoutputtinganythoughtbehindthisdecision.Intheearly
partsofthegameyourTearstacksandtotalmanaislow.Sayforinstanceyouhaveatotalof
1000mana(foreasycalculations).Manamune'spassivegrantsyouwithADequalto2%ofyour
maximummanawhichis20AD.Ifyouaddthattothe25ADyougetbydefaultfrom
Manamune,thatroundsupto45AD.Inotherwords,youpay1650goldfor45ADwhenyou
couldhavejustinvestedthatgoldtobuyaB.FSwordandaLongSwordthatgivesyou50ADin
totalandbringsyouclosertothecompletionofEssenceReaverwhichisahugepowerspike.
YoushouldonlyupgradeyourTearwhenitisfullystackedorabouttobe(let'ssay710stacks).
TakingintoaccounthowmuchManamunecosts,itislessefficientthanaB.F.Sworduntilyou
have1878mana.AnotherfallacyisthatManamunecanstackfastersinceyouwon'thavetocast
spellsandgooutofmana,yousimplyautoattack.Butthatisnottrueandthespeedin
comparisontoTearismoreorlessthesame(whichisaroundthe20thminutemark).Unlike

20

Archangel'sStaffthatseparatesstackswhenyouautoattackandstackswhenyoucastspells
(henceyoucanchargeitfaster),Manamunesharesthesametimerwithautoattackandspell
castingmeaningthatthepassivewillproconlytwotimesevery8secondsirrespectiveof
whetheryouautoattackedorusedspellsonlythese2times,ifthatmakessense.Alsoremember
thatyouarenotgoingtohave100%uptimeinautoattackingandeventuallyyouwillhavetouse
spells.Besides,Tear'spassivealsograntsyou1manaper8seconds,whichislostwhenyou
upgradetoManamune.
3)(PokeBuild):MuramanaYoumuu'sGhostbladeMawofMalmortiusLord
Dominick'sRegardsTheBlackCleaver
The3rdandfinalbuildthatIwouldliketotalkaboutisapokeorientedbuild.Somepeople
maysaythatitisashadowofitsformerself.However,Iwouldliketopointoutthatthisbuild
hassomenoteworthystrengthscomparedtotheolditemsandbuild.Withtheadditionofthe
"Precision"mastery,withthebuffstoYoumuu'sGhostbladeandtheadditionofarmor
penetrationinMaw,playerscanachievehigherflatarmorpenetrationthaneververyearlyinthe
game.Thisbuild,whileitsignificantlydropsofflaterinthegame(comparedtotheoldone)
mainlyduetotheLastWhisperchanges,itoffersyouareallystrongpowerspikeearlyonwhen
youbuyYoumuu'sGhostbladeandaSerratedDirk(componentforMaw)combinedwiththe
Precisionflatpen.andthearmorpen.youwillgetfromrunes.Againstsquishies(suchasadc,
supportandmaybemidlaners)thatdonotoptforarmoruntilmidgame(excludingadc),you
willbedoingreallyhighamountsofdamagetothem(closetotruedamage).Nevertheless,the
morethegameprogressesandthemorearmortheygrab,thelessefficientthisbuildwillbecome.
Justtoclarify,thisbuildoffersthestrongestQEcomboyoucangetingame.Butintermsof
overallDPSandAlloutBurstthisbuildfallsverybehindcomparedtotheothertwo.
WillIeverwanttooptforthatbuild?Ifyes,when?
Therearesomelimitedbutverynotablecasesthatmightmakeyouconsidergoingforthis
pokebuild.Thatiswhenyouplayagainstcertainchampionsthatcanmakeyourlaningphasea
livinghell.Someonemaysaythatthesechampionsarecounters,butasIsaidbeforeJayce's
identityliesinhisversatilityandabilitytoadaptindifferentsituationsandagainstdifferent
opponents,thereforeIwouldliketoavoidcallingthemcounters(Jayceisbynomeansabinary
championsuchasZed).Overall,youwillwanttoavoidgoingforthisbuildasmuchaspossible
sinceitfallsoffdramaticallysomewhereinthemidgame.Goforitonlywhenyouconsideritto
benecessary.Don'tforgetthatLeagueofLegendsisnota1v1gamebutrathera5v5one,soif
yourteamhasthenecessarytoolstocoveryourweaknessagainstcertainmatchups(e.g.heavy
engageagainstthelikesofSyndraandMalzahar)thenyoucanandshouldgoforeitherofthe
first2builds.ButsincesoloQtendstobechaoticandlessorganizedmoreoftenthannot,Ifirmly
believethatitisbeneficialforeveryonetopresentalternativeroutes(suchasthisbuild).

21

ThefirstchampionisSyndra.IfyouareanavidJayceplayerandhaveplayedthismatchup
againstaskilledSyndraplayer,youabsolutelyknowwhatIamtalkingabout.Syndra's"Scatter
theWeak"(E)makesJayce'smeleeformcompletelyuseless.AgoodSyndraplayerwillalways
saveherEandcastitrightwhenyouareabouttojumponherwithyourQinmeleeform.
Besides,aSyndrawillzoneJaycewithherQasmuchaspossibleandwilltrytoforceJayceout
ofhislane.HerQEcombohasalsoaverylongrangesoyouwillhavetobeverycareful
becauseitwillbetheinitiatingtoolwhenyouaregettingganked.AsJayce,youwanttorusha
Hexdrinker(sometimesevenbeforeTear)toavoidthe1000allinbySyndra.Youwillmostly
wanttoabusefogofwarinordertopokeherwithyourQEcomboandbringheraslowasyou
cantopreventherfrombullyingyou.AcommonmistakemanySyndraplayersmakeinaneffort
topushtheiropponentoutofthelaneistoplayreallyaggressiveandpushingtoofarcloserto
theenemyturret,whichmakesthemveryvulnerableandpronetogettingganked.Ifthatisthe
case,communicatewithyourjunglerandlethimknow.Thelongerthegame,themoreCDR
Syndrawillgetandthelesswindowsofopportunityyouwillhavetojumponherwithyour
meleeformbeforeherEisoffcooldown.ThisiswhyIsuggestprioritizingapokeorienteditem
build,becauseitwillgiveyoumoreopportunitiestoanswerback.
ThesecondchampionthatyouneedtobewaryofisAnivia.AniviaversusJayceisavery
trickymatchupfortworeasons:Firstly,Aniviahasastun(thatwillcastonyourightwhenyou
jumponherwithyourTotheSkies!)andthenuse"Frostbite"(E)makingyoulosethetradeand
retreat.Besides,weallknowhowvulnerableJayceistoCC.Secondly,evenifweassumethat
herQisoncooldown,anexperiencedAniviawillplaceherwallbetweenherandyouwhenyou
useyourQtojumponherandwhileyouaremidair.SinceJayce'sQdoesnotlandatthefinal
positionofthetarget,butratherattheinitialposition(thepositionwhereyouclickedon)it
meansthatyourQwillnotbeabletoclosethegapbetweenyouandherleavingyou
emptyhanded.Goingforthepokeorientedbuildwillmakesureyoupunishoneofthemain
weaknessesofAnivia:herlowhp(Aniviahasthelowesthpatlevel1andthesecondlowestat
level18).
Finally,Malzahar,theProphetoftheVoid,isoneofthemostannoyingchampionstoplay
against(andthatcomesfromsomeonethatmainsMalzahar!).Malzahar'shasanantiassassinkit,
becauseonceyougetwithinhisspells'radiuspostlevel6youendangertogetliterallydeleted.A
goodMalzaharplayerknowsverywellhowtoabusehisvoidling(thesmalluncontrollable
creaturethatissummonedafterhecasts4spells)andhisMaleficVisions(E)tofarm.Asthe
matchupis,youdon'tstandanychanceagainsthimexceptinonecase:1)Ifyourteamhasa
strongengagewhichcaneasilycatchMalzaharduetohisimmobility(e.g.Malphite's
UnstoppableForce(R)orVi'sAssaultandBattery(R)).Ifthatisthecase,thenyoushould
considerbuyingQSSreallyearly(theonlyrealcountertoMalzahar)andproceedwithgoingfor
the1stbuild(ERTFIE)sinceyouarenolongerafraidofgettingerased.Ifthatisnotthecase,
youmightwanttogoforthepokebuildandmakeuseofthat.Nevertheless,withmydeep

22

knowledgeaboutMalzaharIwouldsaythatyouarebetterofgoingwithanearlyQSSandthe
1stbuildbecauseMalzaharwillprobablybuildalotofHP(RoAandRylai'sCrystalScepter)so
itwillcertainlytakesometimeuntilyougethimlowbymerepoking,butmoreimportantly,the
pokebuildfallsofflateroninthegame,soitshouldn'tbeyourfirstchoice.

SkillOrder,AbilityCombos,Runes,MasteriesandSummonerSpells:

SkillOrder:
Comparedtootherchampions,JayceiskindofuniqueashecannotlevelhisR(anymore)and
thatleaveshimwithlevelingonly3spells.Nevertheless,hisQ,W,Espellscanlevelupto6
times(comparedtothenormwhichis5)tocompensatefornotbeingabletolevelupR.
Overall,everysingleJayceplayerfollowsthesamepatternofmaxingQ>W>E,takingEat
level2tounlockAccelerationGate.SomepeoplemayarguethatlevelingEandusing
acceleratedShockBlast(QE)intheearlylevelsdrainsyourmanareallyquicklyandit'snotas
efficient.Theoretically,Watlevel2offershigherdamageifyoulandallthreeautoattackson
theenemychampioncomparedtotheextra40%damagebyyouracceleratedshockblast(QE)
plusyourThunderingBlow(Einmeleeform).Nevertheless,inarealisticscenarioitmeansthat
youhavetogowithin500units(yourattackradiusinrangedform)toautoattackmaking
yourselfvulnerabletobothgettinghitbyenemyspellsanddrawingminionaggro,hencelosing
thetrade.Ontheotherhand,ifyoulevelEsecondyouhavetheopportunitytobothsafelypoke
theenemyfromafar,butmoreimportantly,whenyougoinmeleeformandjumponyourenemy
withyourToTheSkies!(Q)toprocthepassiveofyourMercuryHammer(R),youcanthenuse
ThunderingBlow(E)asadisengagetooltocreatesomedistancebetweenyouandyourenemy.
Thatwayyouavoidgettingpokedbackorautoattackedmorethanwhatyoudidwhileyou
disengage,whichwouldeventuallyresultinyoulosingthetrade.Whenyouplayagainststrong
mageswithhighmobilitylikeLeblanc,youshouldalsoconsidertakingyourfirstpointinWat
level4(andlevelingupyourQinsteadofWatlevel3).ThereasonbehindthatisthatLeblancis
soslipperyandagoodLeblancplayerwillneverletyouallinhiminmeleeform.Besides,
Leblancisreallystrongintheearlylevels(plusshehasaCCprovidedbyherchain)soyouwant
toavoidgettingwithinherradiusearlyonbecauseyouwillprobablyenduplosingthetrade.In
thatcase,strongerpokeismuchmorebeneficialearlyinthegameagainstaglasscannon
championlikeLeblanc.
Thesesmallvariationsonskillorderforlevels2to4arematchupdependentandtheywill
relyonhowconfidentyouareinyourskills.

23

Jayceabilitycombos:
DespiteJayce'slabelasaFighterchampion,hiskitfunctionsbestindeliveringhighburst
damagethroughspellcombinations.ThiscomesincontrastwiththetypicalFighterchampion
(e.gGaren),whosedamagerampsupovertimeduringafightmakingthemamajorthreatthe
lateritgoes.Forhighburstchampions(suchasZed,Leblanc,Jayceetc)therearetwoaspects
thatyouneedtocontrol:1)Theengagementand2)thedisengagement.Fortunately,Jayce'skit
isequippedwithbothengaginganddisengagingtools.Asahighburstchampion,theideal
patternthatyouwanttofollowistogoinattherighttime,dealafullrotationandthen
disengage,unlessyouaregoingforthekillofcourse.WhileJaycecandealanenormousamount
ofburstdamageinaveryshorttime,heisheavilyreliantonhisabilitiesbeingoffcooldown.
Therefore,hebecomesvulnerableforafewsecondsafterheuseshisfullrotation.Thatwindow
ofdowntimewillbecomesmallerandsmallerlaterinthegamesinceJaycefavorsCDRandwill
aimforthe40%cap.
ImportantNote
:JayceisnotlimitedtothecombosthatIamgoingtopresentyoubellow!The
combosbellowaretheretogiveyouthegeneralideaofhowJaycefunctions.Fromthere
onwardsitisuptoyoutoinnovateandfindoutwhatmightworkbestineachscenarioyouwill
encounter!
HighestDamageCombo:
Transformation:MercuryCannon
=>
AA
=>
ShockBlast
=>
AccelerationGate
=>
Hyper
Charge
=>
Transformation:MercuryHammer
=>
ToTheSkies!
=>
LightningField
=>
AA
=>
AA
=>
AA
=>
ThunderingBlow.
ThisrequiresyoutohaveswitchedtoyourCannontoreduceyourtarget'sarmorandmagic
resistanceby1025%(dependingonlevel).Thedebufflastsfor5secondswhichisyourwindow
oftimetoexecutethefullcomboandfullytakeadvantageofthereducedarmorandmagic
resistance.Asyoumayguess,youwon'talwaysencounterthemostidealsituationsinafight
(especiallywithapplyingtheTransformation:MercuryCannondebuff),soitisessentialto
improviseandseewhatworksbestforyouintheheatofthemoment.Butkeepinmindthatmost
improvisationswillderivefromtheabovecombination.Forinstance,duringlaningphaseyou
willwanttousethefollowing:
HyperCharge=>Transformation:Mercury
Hammer=>LightningField=>ToTheSkies!=>AA=>AA=>AA=>ThunderingBlow
,
inordertokeepyouropponentincheck.Howandwhenyouaregoingtousethesecombos,
however,isanotherstoryanditwilldependonexperienceandhowthegameplaysout.When
closingintoyourtargettoexecuteyourcombos,itisessentialtopayattentionon4factors:
1)Nearbyminionsandminionaggro
2)Yourmana,becausethesecombosareverymanaintensiveandcandrainyououtwithout
propermanamanagement
3)Enemyjungler:Youneedtopaycloseattentiononwheretheenemyjunglerisormightbe,
becauseitisverylikelythatyougetbaitedbytheenemymidlanertoengageandgetgankedby

24

thejungler
4)EnemyspellsandCCthatmightmakeyoulosethetrade.
AsIsaid,executingyourcombosflawlesslyandattherighttimeswillcomewithexperience,
gameawarenessandpractice.Don'tgetdisappointedatfirstifyoufail!Practicemakesperfect!
Finally,therearethreemoreimportantthingstorememberwhileyoupractice:
1)YouneedtogetusedtocastingHyperChargebeforegoinginHammerFormandjumpingon
youropponent.Thisisverycrucialinordertomaximizeyourdamagewiththe3empowered
autoattacks.Justpractice!
2)HyperChargeresetsJayce'sautoattacktimer(similartoSivir'sWorDr.Mundo'sE).Thisis
anotherveryimportantmechanictolearninordertomaximizeyourdamage.Itisidealforvery
shorttradesanditgoeslikethis:
AA=>HyperCharge(rightaway)=>AA=>AA=>AA
.
3)EmpoweredShockBlastcombo:ItisQEandnotEQ.QEismuchfasterthanEQand
leavesnoreactiontimetoyouropponent.ThereisagoodvideoguidecreatedbyanotherLeague
ofLegendsplayer(notme)whodemonstratestheQEcombo.Allcreditgoestothecreatorof
thevideo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucvPJT2ec6k

Runes
:
AroundayearagotherewasaverynicearticleinCloth5(agreatwebsitewithqualityanalysis
andtheorycraftingforLeagueofLegends,thatunfortunatelycloseditsdoors)byEPH289
aboutJayceinWorlds2014.Heprovideduswithsomereallynicegraphsandanalysisabout
runes(whichstillapplytodaysincenothingreallychangedaboutrunesotherthantheirprices).I
couldn'thavewroteitbettermyself,therefore,Iwillcitedirectlywhathewrotesoyouwon't
havetoswitchbetweentwodifferentwindows.AllcreditgoestoEPH289forthefollowingrune
analysis:(source:
http://cloth5.com/defendingtomorrowjayceworldsbuilds/
)
Marks
+
Quints
:
ThefirstrunecomparisonsIdliketoanalyzeiswithMarksandQuints(redandpurplerunes).
Therearefoursetupstocompare:
Setup1:
1AD,2ArmorPenQuints,9ArmorPenReds(2.25AD,16.64ArmorPen)
Setup2:
3ADQuints,9ArmorPenReds(6.75bonusAD,11.52ArmorPen)
Setup3:
1AD,2ArmorPenQuints,9ADReds(10.8bonusAD,5.12ArmorPen)
Setup4:
3ADQuints,9ADReds(15.3bonusAD)

25

ItabulatedtheresultsinExcel,comparingthefouroptionsagainsteachother,primarily
lookingatautoattacks,AcceleratedShockBlasts,andHyperCharge.
NotethatJaycesmelee
spellsareprimarilyusedfortheirutilityandarenttheimportantpartsofhisdamagepattern.
Thenumbersinthistablerepresentwhichrunesetuplistedaboveismostefficientatdifferent
armoranddamagelevels.Setup1isinwhite,3inlightergreenand4indarkgreen.Asyoucan
seesetup#3(1ADquint,2ArmorPenQuints,9ADreds)is
nevermathematicallyefficient
,
thusnotshownonthegraph.Setup#2,(3ADquints,9ArmorPenreds)isonlyefficientfor
briefwindows,overshadowedbyallAD(setup#4)earlygameandaheavyarmorpensetup
(setup#1)lategame.

Oneinterestingthingtonoteisthatsetup#4(3ADQuints,9ADreds)istheearlygame
winner,whilesetup#1(1ADQuint,2ArPenquints,9ArPenreds)winslategame.Itsworth
notingthatsetup#3isinferiorto3ADquints,5ADmarks,and4ArmorPenmarks,whichgives
thesameArmorPenandmoreAD.
Anotherthingtonoteisthatthiscomparisonisonlyfordamageagainstchampions.Against
minions,asetupwithmoreADwillmakelasthittingeasier.Also,ADisusefulagainsttowers,
whereasarmorpenetrationhasnoeffect.
WhileToTheSkies!canhurt,itsscalingislessthanAcceleratedShockBlastanditseither
usedtosetupaThunderingBlow,orasafinishingmove.Yourprimarydamagesourcesare
acceleratedShockBlastsandHyperCharge.
ThunderingBlowscalesoffofADbutdoesmagicdamage,soitalwaysbenefitsfromADand
notfromArmorPen.However,itsalsoalwaysmaxednexttolast.

26

Notethatsomeplayersuse8ADand1CriticalChancemark.Ifyouliketoputsomeofyour
faithinluck,theresnothingwrongaboutmixinginaCriticalChancemarkintoeitheryour
ArmorPenetrationorAttackDamagesetup.Itwontmateriallyaffectouranalysisherethough.

Ithinkthechoiceisplaystyleandlasthittingdependent.Ifyouprefereasierlasthitting,use
ADmarks.Ifyouwanttodoabitmoredamagetochampions,particularlylategame,gowith
armorpenetrationmarks.

PawN,ontheotherhand,alwaysrunsAttackSpeedQuintessencesonJayce.SinceJayce
doesntneedattackspeedasastat,thishastobepurelyforlasthittingandpushingpower.
HyperChargegivesJaycemaxattackspeedforhisnextthreeattacksandsinceJayceis
primarilyaspellbasedchampion,thereslittlebenefittohisdamagerotationfromattackspeed
comparedtoADorarmorpenetration.
IdontcompletelyunderstandwhyPawNdoesthis,buttheremaybesomesubtleanimation
timingissuewherehavingthefasterattackspeedanimationhelpshimlandmoreautoattacks
andlasthitswhilerepositioning.
Seals
+
Glyphs
:
ThesecondcomparisonIdliketomakeconcerns
Seals
and
Glyphs
(yellowandbluerunes).
AgainstmagicdamageopponentslikeSyndra,itisverycommontosee9HP/levelsealsand9
MRblues,andthatsmoreorlessstandardanyway.Againstphysicaldamageopponentslike
Yasuo,Zed,orTalon,therearetwopossiblesetups:
DoubleArmor9armorseals,9armorglyphs
HP/Level9HP/levelsealsand9armorglyphs.
Notethat9HP/levelglyphsareradicallyinferiorto9HP/levelseals,soanyoptioninvolving
thoseglyphswillbeinferior.Nodetailedcomparisonisneededhere.Sinceweretalkingabout
perlevelseals,Illexaminelevels1,3,6,and9.
Atlevels1and3
,thedoublearmoroptiongivesmoreeffectivephysicalhealthhowevertheyare
beatenbylevel6bytheHP/levelsealssetup.
Bylevel9
,itsaround60moredamagethatyoureabletoabsorbbyusingHP/levelsealsover
armorseals.Note:IamassumingthatyourenotbuildingJaycetankyandsoamonlylookingat
his
basestatsgrowth.

27

SinceHP/levelsealsalsoaddadditionalprotectionagainstmagicandtruedamage,Imgoing
torecommendrunningthemoverthedoublearmoroptions.

Assuch,herewouldbemyrecommendedrunesetups(aftercomparingthoseusedbytheprosat
Worlds):

Masteries:
Withthepreseasonchangeswewitnessedacompleteoverhaulandreworkofthemastery
system.ThethreenewmasterytreesmoveawayfromtheoldOffence/Defense/Utility
labeling.WiththatchangeRiotintendstoofferfocused,highimpactchoicesratherthanaslew
ofnuancedmicromathoptimizations(accordingtotheirwords).WiththeexceptionofKeystone
masteries(andafewotherspecificmasteries),whichfundamentallyimpacthowyouplayyour
champion,alltheotherchoicesaresituationalandwilldependonyourplaystyle.
Currently,thebestmasterytreeforJayceisCunningwithThunderlord'sDecreeaskeystone
masteryfortworeason:1)Precisionmastery:Thisisabsolutelyoverpoweredrightnowmaking
itbetterthanitscounterpartinFerocityTree(BatteringBlowswhichgrantsyouwith%armor
pen)untiltheopponentchampiongets200ormorearmor(whichreferstotanks,astheenemy
carries,ADCandMid,willneverreachthatnumber).2)Thereisclearlynobetteralternative
afterthenerfstoKeystonemasteriesinFerocityTree.
Note:CurrentlytherearesomechangesinPBEthatwillprobablybeintroducedwiththenext
patch,thatwillrevertPrecisiontoitspreviousstateandthereisalsoatweakforFervorofBattle.
AsIhaven'tdoneanytestingonPBE,Icannottellhowthesechangesaregoingtoplayout,so
staytunedforanupdateontheMasteriessectionofmyguide.
Asfortheremainingmasterychoicesitseemsonlypropertometoofferyouasimple
explanationabouteachmasterychoice,ratherthanimposing/recommendingsomethingwithout
presentingthereasoningbehindit.So,let'shavealookatallMasteryTrees:

28

CunningMasteryTree
Tier1
Wanderer
:Increaseschampionmovementspeedby0.6/1.2/1.8/2.4/3%whenoutof
combat.
Savagery
:Basicattacksandsingletargetspellsdeal1/2/3/4/5bonusdamage
tominionsandmonsters.
Ifyougowitharmorpenetrationrunesyouwon'thavemuchADearlyonsoyoumight
encountersomedifficultiesinlasthittingminions.SoSavagerymightbeusefuluntilyouget
familiarwithJayce'sautoattackanimationanddamageatearlylevels.Itsimplytakespractice
andIwouldsuggestyouplaysomecustomgamestogetfamiliarwithit.Overall,Ithink
WandererismuchmoreusefulbecauseitgivesaniceMSboostwhenyouarereturningtolane
afterarecallorwhenyouareroaming,butIwillleavethechoicetoyousinceitissituational.
Tier2
RunicAffinity
:Buffsgrantedbyjunglemonsterslast15%longer,includingepicmonsters.
SecretStash
:Yourpotions,flasksandelixirslast10%longer.Additionally,yourHealth
PotionsarereplacedwithTotalBiscuitsofRejuvenationthatrestoreanadditional20
healthand10manainstantlyuponconsumption.
Assassin
:Grants1.5%increaseddamagewhilenoalliedchampionsarenearby.(800range)
ThechoiceherewillbebetweenSecretStashandAssassin.Assassinmasterywasintroduced
recentlytogivecertainchampionsasmallboostthattheywerelackingduetothedominanceof
tanks.Asitsnamesuggest,itisdirectedtowardsassassinchampionswithhighburstdamage.
Jayce,however,hasincrediblyhighdamageoutputandcancertainlyabusethismastery.While
1.5%mightseemaverysmalldamageboost(+1.5damageforevery100damageyoudeal),it
amplifiesalldamagedealtbyachampionanditcertainlymakesadifferencewhenyouexecute
yourfullrotationonatarget.Theonlydrawbackisthatyoumustnothaveanyotherallied
championsinaradiusof800aroundyourchampion.Inotherwords,AssassinMasteryisthe
waytogoforastrongerlaningphaseorwhenyouintendtosplitpush..
Ontheotherhand,SecretStashismoreofasustainmasteryforyourearlygame.Thebonus
yougetperbiscuitoveranormalpotionis35hp+10mana,whichisn'tveryappealing.Besides,
withtheincreaseinthepriceofpotionsfrom35to50gold,Iamnotsurewhetheryouwillstill
wanttoinvestthatmuchgoldinpotionsthroughoutthegame.Asweexplainedearlierinthe
comparisonbetweenDoran'sBlade+1BiscuitvsLongSword+3Biscuits,extrabiscuitslose
theirworthaftersometimeandsincewenolongeroptforthe3potsinourstarterbuild(inorder
tojustifythismasteryinsomeway),Ibelievethatitisn'tagoodchoice.Somepeoplesaythatit
canprovetobeveryvaluablesometimeswhenyouareverylowandyouhaveIgnitetickingon

29

you.Ignitescutsdownyourselfhealingby40%.Abasicpotionhealsfor10hppersecond.
Biscuithealsyouforthesameamount(justfor1.5moresecond)withonlydifferencebeingthat
youaregoingtoreceivelessdamagefromthefirsttickoftheIgnitebecausebiscuitgivesyouan
instant20hp(+12hpwithIgniteonduetogrievouswounds).SinceIgnite'sdamagescaleswith
yourlevel,let'stake5differentcases:
Ignitelevelanddamageper
DamageReceivedwith DamageReceivedwithbiscuit
second
normalpot
Lvl3Ignite=>110totaldamage 80totaldamage
68totaldamage
Lvl5Ignite=>150totaldamage 120totaldamage
108totaldamage
Lvl7Ignite=>190totaldamage 160totaldamage
148totaldamage
Lvl9Ignite=>230totaldamage 200totaldamage
188totaldamage
Lvl11Ignite=>270total
240totaldamage
228totaldamage
damage
Itbecomesapparentfromthetablethatthereisonly12totaldamagedifferencebetweenbiscuits
andnormalpotsinthetotaldamageyoureceivefromIgnite(regardlessofIgnite'slevel).Hence
SecretStashisn'tasgoodasmanypeoplethink.
Tier3
Merciless
:Grants1/2/3/4/5%increaseddamageagainstchampionsbelow40%health.
Meditation
:Onceevery5seconds,youwillrestore0.3/0.6/0.9/1.2/1.5%ofmissing
mana.
TheotherdayIreadthefollowingargument:"Meditationrestores1.5%ofyourmissingmana,
whichmakesitalmostaspowerfulasChaliceofHarmony'spassive(whichrestores2%)."
However,whatmakesChaliceexceptionallygood(alsooneofthereasonswhyFrostQueen's
Claimissooverpoweredrightnow)isnotitspassive,butthefactthatitgives+50basemana
regeneration(+150%forFQC).Letmegiveyouanexample:Jaycehas986manaatlevel18.
1.5%of986equalsto14.79manaper5seconds.ThepassivefromJayce'sW(atlevel6W)
restores16manaperhit.ThatshowshowlacklusterandbadofachoiceMeditationis,notjust
forJaycebutforeverychampion.
WithregardstoTier3Masteries,Mercilessisthewaytogo.BYFAR!
Tier4
BanditGain
:1goldwhenanearbyminiondies.Gain3gold(or10goldformelee
champions)whenhittinganenemychampionwithabasicattackoraspellthat
appliesonhiteffect(5secondcooldown).
DangerousGame
:Championkillsandassistsrestore5%ofmissinghealthand5%of
missingmana.

30

It'sselfevidentthatwechooseDangerGamebetweenthesetwo,sinceBanditisasupport
Mastery.
Tier5
Precision
:Grantsarmorpenetrationandmagicpenetration(basedonlevel).
Intelligence
:Increasesthecooldownreductioncapby1/2/3/4/5%andgrants1/2/3/
4/5%cooldownreduction.
AtthebeginningofthepreseasontherewasasmalldebateaboutwhichTier5Cunning
Masteryweshouldchoose.Intelligencesoundedverytemptinguntilpeoplerealizedthatthe
nerfsonLastWhisperwerehugeandthatarmorpenetrationhasbecomesuchanimportantstat
inordertodealwiththecurrentsituation.InPatch5.24Precisionreceivedahugebuffanditis
themainreasonwhyweoptforCunningTree(alongwithThunderlord'sDecreewhichwasalso
buffed).Precisioniscurrentlythebestnonkeystonemastery.BYFAR!
Tier6
Stormraider'sSurge
:Dealing30%ofachampion'smaximumhealthwithin2secondsgrants
you35%bonusmovementspeedfor3seconds(10secondcooldown).
Thunderlord'sDecree
:Hittinganenemychampionwithanability(abilitydamage)orbasic
attack(onhit)marksthemwithThunderlord'sDecreefor5seconds.At3stacks,thetarget
takes10180(basedonlevel)+(30%bonusAD)+(10%AP)magicdamage.Thunderlord's
Decreecanonlybetriggeredonceevery20seconds.
Windspeaker'sBlessing
:Yourhealsandshieldsare10%stronger.Additionally,healsand
shieldsonalliesincreaseyourtarget'sarmorandmagicresistance
Thunderlord'sDecreeiscurrentlythebestKeystoneMastery(thatiswhyyoumayplaya
gamewhereall10peopleuseit).Stormraider'sSurgeissimplynotforJaycebecauseitdoesn't
provideanydamageincrease,justameremovementspeedbonus,whichJaycedoesn'treally
needbecausehealreadygetsenoughmovementfromhisstancedancing(changingformswith
R)andfromTrinityForce.Windspeaker'sBlessingisforsupportmainly.

FerocityMasteryTree
Tier1
Fury
:Increaseschampionattackspeedby0.8/1.6/2.4/3.2/4%.
Sorcery
:Increasesabilityandspelldamageby0.4/0.8/1.2/1.6/2%.

31

FuryoffersalmostasmuchattackspeedasoneASQuintessence.Sorcery,onetheotherhand,
increasesthedamageofallyourabilitiesandspells(includingAOE)by2%.Sorcerydoesn't
seemtoworkonDOTsandtruedamageonhiteffectslikeIrelia'sWorVayne'sW,butperfectly
welloneverythingelse.SinceJayceisachampionwhoreliesonexecutingspellrotationsrather
thanonmereautoattackingasanADCdoes,hewillbenefitmoreoverthecourseofafightby
2%extraabilityandspelldamage,ratherthan4%attackspeedwhichisnegligible.Iwould
understandifsomepeople,whoplaywithhigherping,pickedFuryoverSorcerybecauseit
mightgiveasmootherautoattackanimationswithoutendangeringcancellingit.Overall,
SorceryisstrongerforJayce.
Tier2
DoubleEdgedSword
:MeleeChampions:Youdeal3%increaseddamagefromallsources,
buttake1.5%increaseddamagefromallsources.RangedChampions:Youdealandtake2%
increaseddamagefromallsources.
Feast
:Killingaunitrestores20health(25secondcooldown).
Thisisasituationalmasterychoicebasedonpreferenceandplaystyle.Feastisadecenttool
forsustainalthoughitsgoldvalueisnotthebest:Theoretically,ifweassumeyouprocitevery
timeitcomesoffcooldownforapproximately3minutesand5secondscontinuouslyyou
generateasmuchhealthasahealthpotionwould.Notthatgreat,butnottooshabby.
DoubleEdgedSwordincreasesboththedamageyoudealandreceive.Itisneitherthatamazing,
norgoldefficientforthedamageitproducesearlyinthegame(basedoffthecostforalong
sword).Itisworthtakingifyouareconfidentinyourplaystylethatyouwon'tmeddleintounfair
trades.Itworksbestforassassins(e.g.Zed),highburstchampions(e.g.Leblanc,FizzandJayce)
andpokechampions(e.gJayceagain).Thechoiceisyourswhichonetotake!
Tier3
Vampirsm
:Grants0.4/0.8/1.2/1.6/2%lifestealandspellvamp.
NaturalTalent
:Grantattackdamageandabilitypowerperlevel.
NaturalTalentisthebiggestnoobtrapinthegame.Neveroptforthat!Itisbeyondbad
becausetheADandAPyoureceivefromitareabsolutelytrivialanditisn'tgoldefficientatall
forthestatsitprovides.Let'snothide,Vampirismisn'tthatgreateitherbecauseitgivesevenless
lifestealthanDoran'sBlade.OnceyoustartgettingmoreandmoreADthoughitbecomes
better,butstill,thisisaverymediocremastery.Ifyouhavetopickonetoproceedfurtherinthe
FerocityTree,pickVampirism.

32

Tier4
BountyHunter
:Grants1%increaseddamageforeachUNIQUEenemychampionyoukill.
Oppressor
:Grants2.5%increaseddamageagainstunitswithimpairedmovement
TheonlywayJaycecanmakeuseofOppressoriswithhisToTheSkies!(Qinmeleeform)
andExhaust(ifhepicksExhaustoverIgnite).Ontheotherhand,BountyHuntergrants+1%
increaseddamageforeachuniqueenemychampionyoukill(Ifyoukillall5enemyplayersyou
getapermanent5%damageincrease).Butyoucannotgetmorethan1%increaseforkillingthe
samechampionagainandagain(itsaysUNIQUE).
Personally,asaplayerthatmostlypicksexhaustonJayce(forbothitsoffensiveanddefensive
utility)IfindOppressormorefavorabletome.Thechoicebetweenthesetwomasteriesispurely
situationalandyoucanpickwhicheverfitsyourgameplaybetter,butIhavetosuggest
OppressorifyouaregoingtopickExhaustasoneofyourtwosummonerspells.
Tier5
BatteringBlows
:Grants1.4/2.8/4.2/5.6/7%armorpenetration.
PiercingThoughts
:Grants1.4/2.8/4.2/5.6/7%magicpenetration.

Thechoicehereisobviousifweoptedforthattree:WewouldgowithBatteringBlowsandthe
armorpenetrationitprovides.
Note
:BatteringBlowsisworsethanPrecisionmasteryuntiltheenemychampionhas200armor
ormore.
Tier6
Warlord'sBloodlust
:Yourcriticalstrikesagainstenemychampionshealyoufor15%ofthe
damagedealtonhitandgrantyou20%attackspeedfor4seconds(2secondcooldown).
FervorofBattle
:YougainstacksofFervorfor6secondswheneveryoudamagean
enemychampion,stackingupto10stacks.EachstackofFervoradds1.328.46(basedon
level)bonusphysicaldamageonhitagainstchampions.
DeathfireTouch
:Dealingabilitydamagetoenemychampionsappliesableed,dealing
1(+6.25%bonusAD)(+2.5%AP)magicdamageeveryhalfsecondforadurationbasedontheir
type.

Sincepatch5.22andthereleaseofpreseasonchangestherehavebeensomenotablenerfsto
FeoricityTree'sMasteriesthatmadethempartiallyuninspiring.Inaddition,thebuffstoCunning
Tree'sPrecisionandThunderlord'sDecreehavefurtherovershadowedtheFerocityKeystone
Masterieseversince.

33

Warlord'sBloodlustisfavoredmostlybyADCchampionsthatheavilyrelyonautoattacks
ratherthanspells.SincemostADCwillheavilyprioritizecritintheirbuilds,thismasterygive
themsomereallygoodsustaininalongbattle.Thismasteryisalsooneofthemustgomasteries
forchampionslikeTryndamereandYasuo,whofavorcritaswellandcanmakegreatuseofthe
extrasustainofferedbythismasteryintheirtrades.SinceJayce'sdamagereliesonexecutingfast
spellrotationsandlessonpureautoattacking,itisaverypoorchoiceforhimeventhoughwe
prioritizecritinmostofourbuildsaswell.Simply,itdoesn'tprovideanydamageincrease.
DeathfireTouchhasbeenheavilynerfedandhasbecomeaworseversionofThunderlord's
Decree,unlessyouplaychampionswhohaveDOTspellslikeBrand'sPassiveandMalzahar's
MaleficVisions.Inthatcase,youmightwanttopickDeathfireTouchbecauseforaslongare
DOTistickingonthetarget,itrefreshthecooldownofDeathfireTouch.Youwanttoavoid
pickingthismasteryforJaycesincecalculationsshowthatThunderlord'sDecreeofferanoverall
higherdamageboostthroughoutthegamethanDeathfireTouch.
WhenFervorofBattlewasreleasedatfirstitwasoneofthe2KeystonecandidatesforJayce
(withtheotherbeingThunderlord'sDecree)butthatdidn'tlastlongasFervorofBattlereceived
somesignificantnerfs.Whileitmaysoundverygoodonpaper,inpracticeitfeelsverylackluster
comparedtoThunderlord'sDecreebecauseyouwillnotgetasmanyopportunitiesasJayceto
utilizethebonusADasotherchampionsmightdo.ADCchampions,forexample,canmake
betteruseofthismasterybecausetheirmaindamagesourceistheirautoattacksandcan
definitelykeepitsstackshighthroughoutateamfight.Don'tgetmewrong,Jaycecaneasily
stackupFervorofBattlewithhisHyperCharge,butsinceJaycedoesn'tfavorlongtradesbut
insteadveryquickexecutionofcombos,hewon'tmakethemostoutofthismastery.
Asyoucansee,all3FerocityTreeKeystonemasteriesarecurrentlyunderwhelmingand
uninspiringforJayce.However,therearecurrentlysomeupcomingchangesonPBEwithbuffs
toFerocityTreeandanerftoPrecision.AsIhaven'tdoneanyPBEtestingyet,Icannotsay
anythingforcertain.Staytunedforanupdateonthe"Masteries"sectionofmyguidewhenthe
changeshittheliveservers.

ResolveMasteryTree
Tier1
Recovery
:Grants0.4/0.8/1.2/1.6/2healthregenerationper5seconds.
Unyielding
:Increasesbonusarmorandbonusmagicresistanceby1/2/3/4/5%.
BothTier1choicesinResolveMasteryTreeareuninspiringandmediocre(tosaytheleast).
Recoveryregenerates24hpeveryminute,whichiscompletelyinefficientcomparedtoother
sourcesofhpregenerationsuchasFeastfromFerocityTreeoreventhehpyougetbackfrom

34

Doran'sBladelifestealperminute.
AsforUnyielding,Jaycewon'tmakeanyuseofitsincehealmostneverbuildsarmorora
magicresistance.TheonlyexceptioniswhenJaycepicksupHexdrinkerorMawofMalmortius,
whichprovidemagicresistance.Butlet'slookatthenumbers:Hexdrinkerprovidesyouwith35
MR,withthe+5%bonusofUnyieldingweget36.75totalbonusMR(+1,75MRdifference).
Mawprovides+50MR,withthe+5%bonusofUnyieldingweget52.5totalbonusMR(+2.5
MRdifference).Numbersspeakforthemselves:That1.75and2.5moreMRrespectivelyare
veryuninspiringandtheyarenevergoingtomakeanyactualdifferencesoyoubetterstayaway
fromit.Itisverygoldinefficientatlowarmor/magicresiststats.
Ifyouareafighter/assassinchampionthatwantstogodeeperintoResolveTree(forwhatever
reason)youarebetteroffpickingRecovery.Unyieldingisonlyusefulforchampionsthatare
goingtobuyfulltankitemssincethat5%isgoingtomakesomedifferencethere(evenifitisa
smallone,e.g.at300bonusarmoryouget+15armorfromUnyielding,whichisequivalenttoa
ClothArmor).
Tier2
Explorer
:Grants15bonusflatmovementspeedinbrushandriver.
ToughSkin
:Reducesdamagefromchampion'sandmonster'sbasicattacksby2.
Anothersetofuninspiringmasteries.ToughSkinreduceschampion'sandmonster'sbasic
attackby2.ForchampionslikeJayce,YasuoandRivenwhoaregoingtoforcemanysmall
tradesandskirmishesearlyinthegame,ToughSkinisadecentchoicebecauseitisgoingto
mitigatequitesomedamage(butnotasmuchasyouthink).Ontheotherside,Explorergrants15
flatmovementspeedwheninbushorriver.TheonlyoccasionIcanseeExplorerbeingusefulis
ifyouintendtoroamalotintheearlygame.PairedwithWanderermasteryfromCunningTree,
itisgoingtosynergizeverywell.InoneofmygamesIplayedTalonandIpickedbothExplorer
andWanderertotestthem.IhavetosaythatIwasverypleasedwiththeresult.Nevertheless,it
isimportanttopointoutthatthehigherdivisionyouare,theharderyouropponentswillpunish
yourmistakes,sodon'texpecttoroamaroundthemapwithouttheopponentMidlanerpushing
fortoweranddenyingyoufarm.AnothergoodusageofExploreriswhentheopponentjungler
comestogankyouandyoutrytoescapeviatheriver.However,don'texpectthat15flat
movementspeedtomakethathugeofadifferenceiftheyhavegapclosers.
Overall,ifyouhavetogodeeperintheResolveTree,IwouldsuggestpickingToughSkin
becauseitisgoingtohavehigherimpactthanExplorerinyourearlygameasIdescribedabove.
Also,whyToughSkin'smasteryiconisthesameasPrecisionisbeyondmycomprehension.
Tier3
RunicArmor
:Grants1.6/3.2/4.8/6.4/8%strongershieldsandhealingonyou

35

(includeslifestealandhealthregeneration).
Veteran'sScars
:Grants9/18/27/36/45health.
AnotherTier,anothermediocresetofmasteries.Runicarmorincreasesyourlifestealand
healthregenerationby8%.Whatdoesthatmeaninpractice?Atlevel1Jaycehas64.75AD(50
baseAD+8ADfromDoran'sBlade+6.75from3ADQuintessence).Doran'sbladegivesyou
3%lifesteal,soaccordingtotheADyouhaveatlevel1youget1.94hpperhit.8%increased
lifestealfromRunicArmormeansthatDoran'sBladewillgiveyou3.24%lifesteal,soyou
generate2.09hpperhit(0.15morehpthanwithoutRunicArmor).After7autoattacks(6.667to
bemoreprecise!)yougenerate1hpmorewithRunicArmor.Assumingyouautoattack60times
over2minutes,yougenerate9hpmore(theoretically,becausepracticallyyouwilllevelup
duringthattimeandyouwillhaveslightlyhigherAD,solifestealwillbeslightlyhigheraswell,
butthefinalvaluewon'tbethatfarfromthe9hp).
Let'slookatlaterstagesofthegamewhereyouhavemoreAD.At200AD,yourlifestealwith
aDoran'sBladegivesyou6hpperhit.WithRunicArmoryouwillget6.48hpperhit(0.48more
hpperhit).Assumingagainthatyouautoattack60timesover2minutes,youwillgenerate28.8
morehpthanifyoudidn'thaveRunicArmor.Asyoucanseethereisn'tthatmuchdifferencein
numbers.However,ifyoupairRunicArmorwithothersourcesofregeneration(e.g.theTier1
Recoverymastery,1lifestealQuintandaVampiricScepter)thenumbersaregoingtorampup
significantly.InmygamesIoftenrunintoYasuoplayers,whohave1lifestealQuint,Feast,
RecoverandRunicarmorintheirmasteries,andIhavetosaythattheirsustainisquitehigher
thanitwouldnormallybewithjustaDoran'sBlade.
Veteran'sScarswasrecentlychangedtogiveflathpratherthanapercentage.Flathpismuch
betterearlyinthegameandasafechoiceagainsthighburstchampionswhohavemorethanone
sourceofdamage(e.g.Zed),asweexplainedinrunessectionforMarksandSeals.Atlevel1it
willtakeyouaround22autoattacktoreachthat45hpwiththelifestealfromDoran'sBladeand
thenumberofAAwill,ofcourse,decreasethelongerthegameandthemoreADyouget.
Verdict:Accordingtotheanalysisabove,RunicArmorappearstobeamuchbetterchoice
betweenthesetwomasteries.
Tier4
Insight
:Grants15%reducedsummonerspells'cooldown.
Perseverance
:Grants+50%basehealthregeneration,increasedto+200%whilebelow25%
health.
Tier4appearstobeslightlymoreinterestingthanthepreviouschoicesthatwehadtomake.
Insightgrants15%reducedsummonerspells'cooldown.ItstacksadditivelywithIonianBootsof
Lucidity(25%cooldownreduction)andmultiplicativelywithDistortion(resultingina27.75%
cooldownreduction).WhenbotharecombineditdecreasesthecooldownofFlashandTeleport

36

downto216.75seconds(downfrom300seconds)andIgnite'sandExhaust'scooldownto
151.72seconds(downfrom210seconds).WhenonlyInsightapplies,itreducesFlashand
Teleportto255secondsandIgniteandExhaustto178.5seconds.Whilenotthebiggest
difference,itcertainlycreatesbriefwindowsoftimewhereyoucanallinyouropponentbefore
hissummonerspellsareupagain(assumingyoubothusedthematthesametimeinaprevious
trade).ForchampionslikeAnnieorAlistar,whoheavilyrelyontheirstrongengageandallin,
Insightisamustgomastery.
Perseverance,ontheotherhand,grantsanice+50%basehealthregeneration(increasedto
200%whilebelow25%health)andprovidesadecentsustain.Itisasolidsustainabilitytooland
becomesevenbetterifyoupairitwithRunicArmorandRecovery.
Verdict:Thechoicebetweenthesetwomasterieswillbepurelysituationaland,toagreat
degree,itwilldependonyourplaystyle.ItappearsthatplayersinhigherdivisionsfavorInsight
morebecausetheycanplaymuchbetteraroundthesesmallwindowsoftimeandabusethem,
especiallyincompetitiveplay.Perseverance(whichisagoodvirtuetohave!)signalsamore
passive/defensivewayofplaying,whereoutsustainingyouropponentandstayinglongerinlane
isofhigherimportance.Personally,IwouldsuggestpickingInsightbecauseJayceisan
aggressivechampionandshouldbeplayedlikethatinordertomakethemostoutofhis
strengths.
(IwillnotproceedfurtherintoResolveMasteryTreeasyouwillneverwanttogofurther.Tier5
andTier6masteriesinResolveTreearedirectedtowardstankandsupportchampion.)

MasteriesConclusion:
TakingintoconsiderationtheanalysiswedidaboveabouteachMastery,wereachthe
conclusionthattherearemainlytwoMasterypaths(withThunderlord'sDecreeasKeystone
masteryineachofthem)thatJaycecanchoosefromdependingonhisplaystyleandthe
matchup.Thefirstoneisthe12/18/0thatoptimizesalltheoffensivemasterychoicestoensure
yougetasmuchpoweraspossibletodominateyourlaneearlyandtransitiontothelaterphases
ofthegamewithalead.ItconstitutesthemostcommonMasterypath.
Thesecondpathisthe0/18/12thatfocusesmoreonprovidingyouwithhighersustaininlane
ratherthanrawpower.Itisaviablechoicetooptforthispathwheneveryoufacedifficult
matchups,wherestayingrelevantinyourlaneismoreimportantthanabitmoredamage.
Overall,withtheexceptionofKeystonemasteriesandPrecision,whicharecurrently
gamechangingandhighlyimpactyourgameplay,Ibelievethatmostoftheothermasteriesare
purelysituationalanditisuptoyoutodecide.IhopethattheanalysisIdidforallmasteries
enlightensyouandhelpsyoureachabetterdecisiononhowyouwanttoapproachthegame,not
necessarilywithJaycebutwithanychampion.

37

SummonerSpells
:

Flash
providesbothplaymakingcapabilityanddefensiveoptions.Nofurtherexplanation
needed.

Exhaust
isatargetedsummonerspellthataffectsenemychampions.Itreduces
theirmovementspeedandattackspeedby30%,theirarmorandmagicresistanceby10,and
theirdamagedealtby40%for2.5seconds.
WhatmakesExhaustareallystrongsummonerspellisthefactthatitcanbeusedbothasa
SwordandShield:Youcanuseitaggressivelywhenyoujumpinthefighttoreducetheir
resistances,hencedoingmoredamageontheaffectedmember,oryoucanuseitdefensively
whenyouwanttodisengage.Exhaustbecomesevenbetterwhenyouplayagainst
assassins/strongfighter(e.g.Zed,RivenandYasuo)orhighburstmages(e.g.Leblanc,Ahriand
Brand,whohappentobeontherisecurrently)becauseitsignificantlyreducestheirdamage
output.Overall,itcanbesaidthatExhaustcanbeuseddefensivelyinordertoweakenanenemy
togainanoffensiveadvantage(duelingpotential),ifthatmakessense.Theformulatocalculate
damagereductionis(defense/(100+defense)).Presumingthatmostchampionswillhave
around30armor/magicresistancebeforelevel6,exhaustwillreducetheirresistancesfrom30
to20.At30resistancewegot30/130=23%damagereductionandat20resistancewegot
20/120=16%damagereduction.ThatbasicallymeansthatExhaustwillincreasethedamage
receivedbyanenemyfromalldamagesourcesbyadecent%whichcanbehugeina
coordinatedteamfightwhereallyourteammemberscanfocusthetargetthatisExhausted.

Ignite
alongwithFlashisthemostpopularsummonerspellscombination.Igniteisan
offensivesummonerspellanditismostlyusedtoprovidethatextrabitofdamagethatwill
securethekill.Itdealstruedamagethatscalesbylevel(from70upto410truedamage).
ExhaustorIgniteforJayce?
Thechoicebetweenthesetwosummonerspellsispurelysituationalandwilldependupontwo
factors:1)Yourplaystyleand2)thechampionyouarefacing.
IncompetitiveplaythereisastrongpreferencetowardstakingExhaustforJayce.Backin
Worlds2014,whenJaycewasinthespotlight,Pawn,whodominatedmidlanewithJayce,he
wasalmostalwaysfavoringExhaust.Therearetworeasonsbehindthat:1)Jayceisoneofthe
fewchampionsthatcanabuseboththedefensiveandoffensiveutilitiesofExhaustextremely
well.2)SinceplayerslikePawnplayJaycereallyaggressively,theydrawjunglers'attentionand
becomesusceptibletoganks.Exhaustisagreattooltoescape1v2situations,orevenoverturn
thesesituationtotheirfavorsinceJaycehasreallyhighburstpotential(agoodillustrationwas
giveninSamsungWhitevsSKTT1Kmatch,wherePawnwithJayceoverturneda1v2scenario

38

vsFaker'sTalonandBengi'sLeeSinandkilledFaker).Undertherightcircumstances,Exhaust
canprovideagreatdamageincreaseduetoitreducingthearmorandmagicresistanceofits
target,butalsogivingyouextratimetolandmoreautoattackwhilethetargetisslowed.
Ontheotherhand,Igniteisaviablealternativethatcanprovidethatextrabitofdamageto
finishofftheenemy.InWorlds2014wesawPawnpickingIgniteagainstDade'sYasuo(a
relativelyeasymatchupforJayce).Igniteaddsadeceivinglylargeamountofkillpressureatthe
costofsurvivability(thatExhaustoffers).Igniteisreallystronginearlygame,butlaterinthe
gameitisoutshinedbyExhaust,whichprovideshigherutility.Moreover,Ignite'sdamagecanbe
reducedbylifesteal,shieldandpotions.
Overall,IwouldsuggestpickingExhaustagainsthardmatchupsoragainstequalmatchups
whereitallcomesdowntosmalldetails.PickIgnitewheneveryoufeelconfidentthatyoucan
snowballyourlanewiththatextrabitofdamageitprovides.
Allinall,itisamatterofpersonalpreference,soitisyourdecisiontomake!Forprofessional
playersIwouldadvocateheavilyinfavorofExhaust,becauseitprovidesmuchmoreutilityand
professionalteamswithgreatteamwork(suchastheoldSamsungWhite)knowhowtomakethe
mostoutofit.
Note:
CleanseneutralizestheeffectsofbothExhaustandIgnite(thedamageovertime
componentofIgnite,butnotthehealingreduction).YoushouldavoidpickingCleanseonJayce
forthesamereasonweavoidpickingitonmostchampions:Yousimplyhavetoposition
yourselfbetterinordertonotgethitbyCCandswallowyoururgetodiveinmeleeformatthe
wrongtime.REMEMBER,CleansedoesnotremoveZed'sDeathMark(R)orMalzahar'sNether
Grasp(R)orSkarner'sImpale(R).

BriefanalysisofrecentappearancesofJayce(bothinSoloQandcompetitive
play)afterpreseasonchanges:

RookieAllStars2015
ThemostrecentappearanceofJayceonstagewasinAllStars2015Eventwhenthemidlaner
forLPLteam,Rookie,pickedJayceup.Rookieisaverytalentedprofessionalplayerwith
mechanicalprowessandhehasmyutmostrespectandadmiration.However,itappearshedidn't
dohishomeworkforJayce(afterthepreseasonchanges)atallsincehisbuildwasagood
illustrationofhowNOTtobuildJayceagainstthisspecificmatchup.Firstofall,hepicked
CleanseagainstViktor.Thereasoninginhismindwouldprobablybethatwhenhejumpson
ViktorhewillprobablygetcaughtbyawellplacedGravityField(W).AnexperiencedJayce
player,however,whohasplayedthatmatchupbeforeknowsthatyouhavetimetogetoutofthe

39

fieldand,ingeneral,itismuchbettertoflashoutofthefieldbeforeyougetstunned,ifyoufeel
confidentthatyouaregoingforthekill.ItismorebeneficialtopickExhaustorIgnitebecauseit
isgoingtoincreaseyourchancesofkillingViktorinearlygamebeforehestartsscalingor
decreasehisdamageoutputinthelaterpartsofthegame(withExhaust).Moreover,hedidthe
samemistakeasmanyotherplayerbyrushingManamuneveryearlyon,andifyounoticeit
becamefullychargedatthe28thminutemark(8minuteslatecomparedtohowmuchtimeit
usuallytakestofullychargeTear).Rookiewasluckytogetakillearlyduetoagankbyhis
teammateandafewassistslateroninskirmishes.Imagineifhewentforthe1stor2ndbuild,
whichofferhigherDPSandalloutburst:Theoutcomemighthavebeenverydifferent.Instead
hechosetogohalfwaywiththepokebuildbybuildingYoumuu'sandLastWhisper.Thenright
beforethegamewasoverheboughtthecomponentsofInfinityEdgewithouthavinganyother
sourceofcritchancetojustifythatbuy.Fortunately,thegameendedatthatpointwithhisteam
onthelosingend.Nowonderwhythishappened!Thisisagoodillustrationofhowbuild
mistakeslikethatcanloseyouthegame.IamnotsayingthatLPLteamlostsolelybecauseof
Rookie'sbadbuildchoice,butitcertainlywasacontributingfactorsinceRookiewasoneofthe
maindamagedealers.
Linktothegame:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r7vtRMkp4
FakerSoloQ
OneoftheplayersthatgottheirhandsonJayceafterthepreseasonchangesisFaker.
InterestinglyenoughthegameaboutwhichIamgoingtotalkabouttookplacebeforeAllStars
2015eventbutFakerappearstohavedonehishomework(unlikeRookie).Atthisgameheplays
againstSKTT1Scout'sRiven(ScoutistheupcomingFakerastheysay,whostandinthetop
spotsofKoreanChallengersoloQladder).Thisgameistheexactdefinitionofhowtoperfectly
lanewithJayceagainstmeleechampionssuchasRiven(orGangplankorKassadin)andhowto
successfullyzonethem.InthisgameFakerwasverysmarttogoforthefirstbuildandrush
TrinityForce.SincehewasconfidentinhisabilitiesheoptedforSheenonhisfirstrecalland
afterthathekeptabusingRivenwhenevershewasclosingintoCS.Faker'stimingon
hammeringRivenawaywithhisThunderingBlow(E)wasonpointeverytime.Fakeralsowent
withExhaustashissecondsummonerspellwhichisverywisechoiceagainstRivenand
championswithreallyhighburst.HewentforEssenceReaverashis2nditem,whichsynergizes
verywellwithTrinityForcegettingthatsweet30%CDRfromthese2items.Theonly
questionablechoicewastheearlyLastWhispersincetherewerenotank(exceptEvelynnwho
hadjustonetankitem,whichisnotenoughtojustifyLastWhisper).Hecouldhaveinvestedthat
1300goldinbuyingaB.FSwordandoptforInfinityEdge.Overall,verynicedisplayof
aggressivelaningwithJayce.
Linktothegame:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yXIfaL7lc

40

DadeSoloQ
AnothergoodillustrationofhowtoabuseJayce'searlygamepoweragainstmeleechampions
wasgivenbyDadeinhisgameagainstKassadin.Kassadin'sgreaterweaknessesarehisearly
gameandADopponents.KnowingthatverywellDadeplayerverysmartlyaroundhisstrengths
anddominatedhislane.Duetohisearlydominancehehadthefreedomtogoforthesecond
buildwithMuramana,EssenceReaverandInfinityEdge,whichprovidesareallystrong
powerspikewhencompleted.Again,Idon'tlikethefactthathewentforManamunesoearly
whilehecouldhavegoneforB.FSwordandEssenceReaverfaster,butsincehesnowballed
reallyhardandhavingalowthreatKassadinasopponent,thatdidn'treallyaffecttheoutcometo
thelightest.Also,hisManamunestackingwasonpointandhestackeditveryfast(around19:53
minutemarkwhichisexcellent)sopropstoDade.
Linktothegame:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P84p1C9tu4

GeneralTips:
AsIsaidintheverybeginningofthisguide,Jayceisaverydifficultchampiontoplayand
masterduetohisglasscannonnature.Butheisdefinitelyoneofthemostrewardingtoplayas
heoffersthehighestversatilitythanmostoftheotherchampions.HowgoodJayceiswilltotally
dependonitshandler'sskills,mechanicsandgameawareness(someonecansaythatthisisthe
caseforeverychampionbutsomeofthemhavearguablyalowerskillcaptomasterandbring
goodresultsandtheysufferfrombeingtoobinaryandpredictable).Forthatreason,Jayce(as
wellasafewothermechanicallydemandingchampions)canachievehigherhighswhen
mastered.Iwillsayitonceagain:Jaycedoesn'thaverealcounters,butduetohisglasscannon
natureeverymatchupwillbeskillmatchup,meaningthateventhematchupsthatsomeonemight
labelasrelativelyeasierthantherest,canprovetobehardifyoudon'tplaythemproperly.
Idecidedtonotincludeaspecificmatchupsectionyet,becauseitisverysubjectiveandwill
dependontheskillofbothJayceandtheopponent.If,however,peoplefindthisguideuseful
andaskforaspecificmatchupsection,besureIwillincludeone!

AnothertipthatIwouldliketogiveyouisaboutJayce'searlygameabilitypowerspikes:The
importantthingtorememberisthatJaycesspellpowerspike,likemosttransforming
champions,occursearlygame.Let'slookatthisfromadifferentperspective.Mostchampions
gettheirfirstspellpowerspikewhentheyhaveaccesstoalltheir3basicspells(e.g.Azir,Fizz
etc).Thereare,however,certainchampionsthatexcelearlierthanthatsincetheydon'tneed3
spellsbeforetheycanstartplayingmoreaggressivelyandtradingoptimally.Somenotable
examplesaredefinitelyKayleandJayce.Kayleissuperstrongatlevel1andlevel2becauseshe

41

hasaccesstobothherdamagesources(EandQ)andcanbullyotherchampionsalotuntillevel
3.Jayceisinthesameboat:Hislevel1and2aresuperstrongbecause,unlikeKayle,Jaycecan
haveaccessto4spellsatlevel2(+theutilityfromthepassivesofhisRwhenchangingforms)
duetohismeleeandrangedform.YourgoalasJayceistoabusethisfactandtrytobullyyour
opponentearlyon.ForcingsmalltradeswithToTheSkies!+AA+ThunderingBlowwill
becomeyourbreadandbutterintheearlylevels.Also,abusingHyperCharge'sautoattackreset
isverycrucialwhenyoutradewithsomeoneforthereasonsthatweexplainedearlierinthe
guide(SkillOrdersection).Aftertheearlylevelsyouwillwanttoremainfairlypassive
especiallyifyouarestackingTearoftheGoddess,whichputsyoubehindintermsofrawstats.
Sincetheenemyjunglerwillhavefinishedafullclearofhisjunglebythattimeandtheenemy
midlanerwillhaveaccesstoallhisspells,youneedtoabstainfrommindlessaggressiveplay.
Youneedtocultivateamorebalancedplaystyleatthispointofthegameinwhichyougoonly
forcalculatedtradesthatyouknowyoucanwin.Theonlytimethatyoumightwanttogowith
theattitude
"gobigorgohome"
willbewhenitbecomesvitalthatyoumakeaplayinorderto
helpyourteam.Butagain,youwillalwaysneedtoweighyouroptionsandcriticallythinkabout
yournextmove.
Overall,youneedtobeextremelycarefulwhenyouplayaggressivelyagainsteasiermatchups
becauseyoudrawtheattentionoftheenemyjungleranditcanprovetobefatalifyoustart
givingearlykillsduetoyouoverextending.WhenIfirststartedplayingJaycethiswasoneofmy
grievousmistakes:IknewthatIwasbetterthanmyopponentandIcouldbeathimin1v1soI
wasoverextendingalotinlaneinanefforttobullyhimasmuchasIcouldbeforegoinginfor
thefinalblow.Butthisprovedtobedisastrousformebecause,moreoftenthannot,theenemy
junglerwastheretopunishmeforoverextending.
Furthermore,oneofthethingsthatmademebecomebetterplayerwere3smallpiecesof
advicethatseemedquiteobviousintheory,butIdidn'tapplytheminpracticetoagreatextend
before.Itis3smalladvicesthatFakergaveinhisrecentdocumentaryfilmforWorlds2015:
1)Whenitcomestoyourownplay,haveamindsetthatyouwanttoimprove.
2)Lookatminimapoftenandthinkaboutyourownplayswhileingame.
3)Havefunwhenyouplay.
Havethese3piecesofadvicealwaysinyourmindwhenyouplaythegame!
Inateamfightsyouneedtoresistyoururgetogohammerformtooearly.Thinkofyourself
asasecondaryADCthatneedstopositionappropriatelyinordertoavoidtheenemythreats,
keepautoattackingfromsafedistanceandjumpinattherighttimetodeliverthefinishingblow.
Icoulddefinitelywriteawholebookbasedon"ArtofWar"bySunTzuonhowtoapproach
teamfightsinLeagueofLegends,butlet'sleavethisprojectforanothertime.Readingthemap
andthecircumstancesthatapplyineachandeverygamewillincreasenotonlyyourgame

42

awareness,butalsoyourgameplayaswell.Ultimately,itallcomesdowntoyourwillto
improve.
Finally,asthequotesays,"
withgreatpowercomesgreatresponsibility"
,andwhenyou'llstart
playingJayceyouwillunderstandthisbetterthanever.Itisveryeasytomakewronguseof
Jayce'spoweringame!WhenyouplayJayceyouareportrayedasaHeroandtheDefenderof
Tomorrow.KeepthatinmindeverytimeyougetyourhandsonJayce!

Conclusion:
"WhenIstartedwritingthisguideIknewthattherewasalotofcollectiveknowledgeand
informationthatIwantedtotransfertomyreadersbutIneverexpecteditwouldtakeme42
pagestoachievethat.Everyone,thiswasaverylongreadbutIhopethatitprovestobe
constructiveforallofyouwhoinvestedthetimetoreadit.Ifirmlybelievethatthisisnotjusta
guidethatmadeyouunderstandJaycebetter,butyouwerealsoabletogetabettergraspofthe
currentstateofgameandimproveyourgameplaywhateverdivisionyoumightbe.Thankyou
verymuchforyourtime.ThisisasmallcontributiontotheLeagueofLegendsCommunityfor
alltheseyearsofentertainmentithasofferedtome.Iwillbegladtolistentoyourthoughts,
commentsandconstructivecriticismofmyguide.Onceagainthankyou!"

Changelog:
4/1/16:Correctionofsomesmallerrors.