Aatrox Patch Jungle Changes: notes and opinion

The upcoming patch including Aatrox includes numerous changes in the jungle. I will be taking a look into these changes and how they change early junglers, and junglers with a slow clear time.

Wolves
Initial spawn time increased to 1:55 from 1:45
Respawn time reduced to 50 seconds from 60
Wraiths
Initial spawn time increased to 1:55 from 1:45
Golems
Initial spawn time increased to 1:55 from 1:45
Respawn time reduced to 50 seconds from 60
Ancient Golem
Base Experience granted increased to 275 from 220
Now plays a particle effect to show who the buff transferred to
Lizard Elder
Base Experience granted increased to 275 from 220
Now plays a particle effect to show who the buff transferred to

Riot Pwyff stated: "We've increased the initial spawn times of jungle creeps to get rid of the frustrating experience advantage players could get by killing certain jungle monsters before laning phase begins. This was a much requested change from a lot of pro teams around the world, as the only real counter was to switch lanes or to try to prevent it altogether. The other changes are to reassure junglers since they'll feel like they've "lost" a full camp clear since they won't be able to start wolves or wraiths before heading to their buffs. So Elder Lizard and Ancient Golem will give more EXP, and jungle camps will spawn a little faster. Faster spawns will also help some champions who have exceptionally high clear times and want to just stay in the jungle."

 

This slightly nerfs junglers who need early ganks to snowball (Kha'zix, hecarim,etc.), and to ADCs on the blue side. If they want double golems now they would have to give up some lane pressure. Maybe this will stop some of the lane swap madness we see in the LCS.

Junglers will be affected due to the small camps spawning a little bit later on in the game. The extra ten sevonds will delay ganks for what may seem like an insignificant time, but may change aggressiveness in lane. This makes powerful early laners even more powerful without having to be cautious for the extra time they have. The small camps also have a little bit of an experience boost as well. This makes it possible to have a slightly earlier level four gank.

This could be a powerful and scary early gank especially for junglers like nocturne and udyr. Although it may be later in the game it could have a huge impact. The spawn time has also changed so the junglers with slow clear times will get a slightly better chance, and throughout the game it will overall be better. 

These changes are small, but have a large impact. A nerf to jungle, and an indirect nerf to the blue side. Did it make things more balanced? We will find out with the realease of Aatrox.