Jarvan Viable?

[quote=JPBucketz]Been lookin to play some underplayed champs, and tried out jarvan free. HAve fun with his gameplay, but is he considered UP right now? Is he a viable pick? If so, how do you build him? I have been going wriggles, philo stone heart of gold in jungle, and then usually like frozen mallet.[/quote]

[quote=PsiGuard]He's quite viable, but not the strongest pick. Personally I think he's better off in the jungle duo to his utility and gank presence, but he's a decent top laner as well. Don't be afraid to play him by any means.[/quote]

[quote=JPBucketz]who do you think are the "stronger" picks that kinda fill the same role as him? bruiser/cc/utility etc[/quote]

[quote=PsiGuard][[Maokai]], [[Trundle]], [[Rammus]], and [[Skarner]]. They're all fairly similar to Jarvan because of their utility, tankiness and CC. They do have very different kits, so sometimes you'd want a Jarvan jungle instead. Those are just the more popular picks. Jarvan is still around, but you won't see as many of them. Maokai has a similar set of CC, though he lacks Jarvan's terrain-block ultimate. They're both great mid-gankers if you jungle them. Trundle does a comparable amount of damage and is quite tanky, but doesn't have a gap closer. Rammus is another great ganker, but he does a lot more single-target CC and is far tankier while lacking the offensive bruiser element. Skarner has a similar mix of offense and defense, but his CC is a bit different and he has no dash ability. They do similar things in team fights, but Jarvan traps the carry while Skarner brings them over to his team while disabling them. But like I said, Jarvan is still a great pick. I would certainly call him viable, though he may not be as common as some of the more popular picks. I picked up Jarvan for jungling a few weeks ago and it went very well. He and Maokai are my choice utility/ganking champions since they have strong CC, gap closers and aren't too gear dependant.[/quote]

[quote=Lugignaf]Maokai is like Jarvan more than you think. They both have AoE knockups. Maokai's is more controlled while J4's is more mobile. Both have a jump to target. Maokai's requires vision while J4's requires the use of 2 skills and can only dash to a skill that he previously used. Both have a zoning ult. Maokai's is stronger if they try to fight. J4's is stronger for separation. Just for comparisons. :P[/quote]

[quote=BarbJ]Build a trinity force on Jarvan, instead / before that frozen mallet. Philo, boots, HoG, wriggles, Phage/Sheen -> trinity, Warmogs, Atmas, Veil / FoN.[/quote]

[quote=PsiGuard]That build works Joes, but Frozen Mallet is just as good in my opinion. I prefer the stronger slow and get AD elsewhere. I think my build is something like this: [[philosopher's stone]], [[boots of speed]], [[wriggle's lantern]], [[mercury's treads]], [[frozen mallet]], [[atma's impaler]], [[force of nature]], [[last whisper]].[/quote]

[quote=CasterMaster][[jarvan IV]] isn't so much underpowered but he can be extremely deadly. [[cataclysm]] synergies really well with a lot of skills but is often [[flash]]ed out of. He's still a strong choice but lately seems a bit weaker then usual. Must be mastered before truly excelling with him[/quote]

[quote=Klausenheim]I think Jarvan is a fantastic disruptor with a kit that can really boost your team. I find him ideal for AD-heavy teams due to his armor debuff. You can initiate with your spear or with your ult, you have flexibility in your placement (lane or jungle), and you don't look as silly as Garen. Triple win :)[/quote]

[quote=BarbJ]PsiGuard- it's not about the AD Trinity gives you over the AD of Frozen Mallet. Your auto attacks get a bit stronger from the damage, yes, but Trinity gives you crit (lucky crit is better than no crit), mana (always good to have), makes your W shield for more, your E hit for more, gives you a periodic slow, and a health boost. I find that the permaslow of Mallet is uneeded with W, E+Q, and Phage. But whatever, they're about the same, personal preference and everything.[/quote]