Pudge Jungle Hooks

The jungle is one of the best places for Pudge to land hooks. Paths are narrow, trees hide you, and enemies who farm there tend to walk the same routes again and again. A hook in the jungle also pulls the target away from their team and their towers. This guide covers how to read jungle paths and when to throw.

Why are jungle paths good for hooks?

Lanes are wide and full of creeps. Jungle paths are often thin strips between trees. An enemy walking down one of them has little room to dodge. Their path is easier to guess, and there are fewer units on the line to block your hook.

Trees help in two ways. They block vision, so you can wait close to a path without being seen. And Meat Hook flies through trees, so a wall of trees between you and the path does not stop the throw. Only units stop it. The fog hook guide covers hiding in trees in more detail.

Where do enemies walk in the jungle?

You will not find the same answer every game, but many players follow habits:

• Cores who farm the jungle often move from camp to camp in a loop.
• Supports walk to camps to pull or stack them, then walk back to lane.
• Heroes who leave lane to heal or shop often cut through the jungle to save time.
• Heroes moving to a rune or to Roshan often pass through jungle paths.

Watch the minimap. When an enemy core vanishes from lane and their camps start to empty, they are probably farming nearby. When an enemy support leaves lane at the same point each time, they may have a routine you can wait for.

How do you hook an enemy who is entering the jungle?

The moment an enemy steps from a lane into the jungle is a good chance. They are leaving their creeps behind, so the line is often clean. They also tend to walk in a straight line toward their goal.

Wait a bit deeper in, where the path narrows. Let them come to you. If you stand at the lane edge, they may see you before they commit. If you stand further in, they have already chosen their path by the time they reach you.

Try to face the path head on. A target walking straight toward you is far easier to hit than one walking across your view. The hook angles guide explains why.

How do you hook an enemy who is leaving the jungle?

Leaving is a different story. The enemy is heading back to lane or toward their team. They may be low on health or carrying items they just bought. Many players relax when they think they are almost safe.

Wait near the exit they are likely to use. If you can, stand between them and their tower. A hook then pulls them away from help, not toward it. Be careful about standing near the lane, where the enemy's creeps or a ward might spot you.

If they do slip past, do not chase blindly into lane. Fall back to the trees and wait for the next chance.

What makes jungle hooks fail?

Neutral creeps are the most common problem. If a camp sits between you and the target, the hook may catch a creep first. A non-ancient creep caught this way dies, and the enemy walks on. Look for a line that skips the camp.

Wards are the next problem. Supports often place vision at jungle entrances and near camps. If the enemy seems to walk around your spot, assume you have been seen and move. The vision guide helps you think about where enemy wards might be.

Finally, the jungle is risky for Pudge too. If you hook a strong core alone, you may lose the fight. Check that the target is one you can kill, or that your team can reach you in time.

FAQ

Is it worth waiting in the jungle as Pudge?

It can be, if you know the enemy is farming or walking there. Waiting without any information wastes time you could spend in lane or on a gank.

Does Meat Hook go through trees in the jungle?

Yes. The hook flies through trees and cliffs. Only units stop it, such as heroes and creeps.

How do I avoid hooking a neutral creep by mistake?

Pick a line that does not cross the camp. Wait for the target to step away from the creeps, or move so the camp is out of the way.

Checklist

• Wait where jungle paths are narrow, not at the lane edge.
• Face the target's path head on when you can.
• Stand between the enemy and their tower when they leave the jungle.
• Keep the hook line clear of neutral camps.
• Move to a new spot if enemies start avoiding your area.
• Only hook strong cores when you can win the fight or get help.