Jax is a very powerful top laner. Extremely good at applying pressure and taking down towers. He has very potent burst damage early game and is not too hard to learn if you are new to Jax. Even if you fall behind, there always seems to be a way to come back and have a strong end game and be a real asset to your team.

I'd recommend this guide to all players wishing to give Jax a go, or simply improve their Jax game. I hope this guide helps! Please check out my notes in some of the sections also.

Have fun.

Pros:

Powerful pusher
Can solo dragon easily
Great roaming potential
Wins 1v1 fights 9 times out of 10
Has a stun which blocks all basic attacks for a short time
Easy to out level your opponent
Ability to escape unfavourable situations
Great end game champion

Cons:

Misuse of your escape and stun ability will result in certain death
Usually gets focused in team fights
Can only attack single targets

To start off, you will want to try and stay a level above your opposing laner. Without draining too much of your mana, occasionally harass the enemy with a jump shot followed by your W and back off. Keep repeating the process until level 6. The strategy with your ultimates passive is to hit a minion twice before jumping in to your enemy to proc the damage on the 3rd hit. You will find yourself often resulting in a first blood in a typical game.

Once you get wards(2)on your first recall, be sure to place one at baron and one in the tri bush on the opposing laners side. This will guarantee you to avoid a gank if you keep your eye on the map. If you get a third ward, place it in the enemies red buff bush.

Try to force the enemy to go back and push the minions up to the tower so you have the ability to either roam down to mid or steal the enemy red buff (extremely useful on Jax). Rinse and repeat. Constantly apply pressure to the top lane to force other lanes to stop pushing and deal with you - allowing bot and mid lane to take down some towers.

Once you have your Blade of the Ruined King and Trinity Force, you are an unstoppable force. Get in with the team to initiate some fights. It's not too difficult to tower dive with Jax (under the right conditions).

Get the red buff as often as possible and carry the team by taking down towers and inhibitors blazingly fast all the way to victory.

Shen
Singed
Renekton
Nasus
Wukong
Garen

For these particular matchups, I would recommend starting with a Crystalline Flask and 2 Health Potions for the sustain. It is helpful having the flask as it replenishes each time your recall, and you can sell it for over 100 gold! Go for the phage first for the extra health. Especially against Renekton and Singed. Play on the defence and seek assistance from your jungler. Play smart and you won't have any problems.

I hope you found my guide useful and beneficial in-game. This is my first guide of my most played champion. I am trying to keep it short and simple but please leave a comment for any improvements I can make and I'll be sure to consider it.

Thanks!