Jarvan IV is one of the best dps tanks in the game. He dishes out a lot of damage compared to the other tank counterparts and is a solid pick in solo queue or premade 5's. Jarvan IV can lane everywhere and can also jungle, but in this guide I would only cover the part about duo lane and solo lane. Why should you play Jarvan? He is a great character for people who likes beefy characters and can carry games due to his massive damage output and his incredible initiation with his ultimate.

Update: My in game name is now Presidency, so if you would like to find me talk to me through there ;0

I run these masteries because the 2% increase critical chance is really overpowered in lane. As you harass or go for the kill the 2% critical proc can give you a lot of advantage and it also synergies with my Trinity Force that i build later on. It is also better than the other option which would be strength of spirit because Jarvan IV already has a great laning presence and pressure. the 6 points into the defensive tree is to increase his survivability in lane and make him a lot better when swapping hits. Utilities in this case is very good on Jarvan because of the improve movement speed which gives a tank a easier way to position himself. The mana regen and utility mastery is great too because Jarvan should take the red buff early to mid game until he gets the Triforce. Also he gains the gold mastery which synergies with the gold/5 items I built.

For Jarvan IV, I run my DPS-MR runes. I run this page because it gives Jarvan the flat armor pen he needs and the health and Magic resist will help him in lane. His flag already gives him the necessary armor he needs and the only thing that can kill Jarvan is burst damage. You can easily swap hits with people due to your regrowth pendent regeneration.

I take ghost because Jarvan IV does not need flash as you already have one from your e-q combo. Also ghost will increase his chance of killing the enemy in your lane combined with ignite. Why ignite instead of exhaust, because in team fights you would aim for their squishies and ignites will guarantee your kill. If the other team's carry is dead you don't have to worry about them doing damage ;P.

Jarvan IV exploits his target's opening, dealing a % of the target's current HP as magic damage. This effect cannot occur on the same target for 6 seconds.


Very useful passive because it is basically a on a tank. You use this to attack your opponent when they come close and it makes last hitting in lane very easy.





Jarvan IV charges through his opponent, dealing physical damage and lowering their armor by a %. This will pull Jarvan IV to a Standard if it encounters one, knocking up all enemies in his path.


This is what gives Jarvan IV his damage late game. Also in the beginning this skill when used before your normal attack lets you hit like a truck. This is also a great gap closer when used with your flag.





Jarvan IV calls upon the ancient kings of Demacia to shield him from harm and slow surrounding enemies.


Great skill as this is normally used right after you use your E-Q combo as this will slow your opponent as you hit them.





Passively grants Jarvan bonus attack speed and armor. Active: Throws a Demacian flag, dealing physical damage and granting passive benefits to nearby allies.


This skill gives your allies a great buff. As you are doing objectives such as taking down towers, dragon and baron you should put this down as much as possible because you will take them down faster which makes it more safe when you need to run.





Jarvan IV heroically leaps at his target, dealing physical damage and creating a circle of terrain around them for a few seconds.


This is one of the best initiating skill in the game. In any team fights if you land this on their squishies they would be force to either use their flash or be stuck in there while you focus them. This also forces enemy team to reposition themselves or die to your team. As they reposition your team would have the opportunity to dish out free damage to them.

The above route is not set in stone. If you are close to your jungler and need to leash for them you can get the flag first which will improve their jungle time. Also if you think you don't need your shield because you are just harassing you can level up your q instead and level your w at lvl 4.

Starting Items:

Build Order: sell and buy


This is the build I think is the most optimal for Jarvan IV. The gives Jarvan lane sustainability and for you to harass early. The 3 gives your character a significant hp boost. These 4 gold/5 items would gives you the necessary tankiness you need to survive through early and mid game. This also allows you to buy a big item in the end thanks to the gold generation. In fact with this build you scale a lot better than the opposing tanks and your early game won't be crippled because of the increase health as well. The gives you the necessary survivability and the ability to heal in-between fights. This also gives you a lot of movement speed when combined with which gives you damage and a slow too.

Starting Items: OR

Build Order:

Now If you are not getting the enemy team isn't focusing you get
and then get tanky. OR reverse this order if they are focusing you.


This build is more efficient in a solo lane because as a solo you need to have damage. With this build you would have a better damage output earlier and would give you a sort of AD burst. Also with a solo lane you would have a lot more farm so it is unnecessary to have 4 gold/10 and would be better with just to essential ones (phil stone and HoG) because phil stone gives you the sustain and HoG would build into a raduins.

In this part you should just concentrate on last hits. As Jarvan IV starts off with a very strong base attack and his passive last hitting should not be a problem. If people want to swap hits with you, land your q and hit them with a right click as that would do a lot of damage. Remember once you hit 6 you can most likely get a kill combined with your jungler gank. If they don't have flash just knock them up with your e-q combo and then use your ulti trapping you, your jungler and the enemy into your ulti. This will most likely ensure your kill. If they have flash you will use your e-q combo and then slow them with your w, and ulti if they flash. Or if you have enough damage you can ulti early and use your ignite for the kill.


When you are around lvl 7 you could hit all the range minions once and put your through all of them for easier time killing the creeps.
When there aren't that many enemy minions in lane you can go for an e-q combo on their squishy support and hit them a couple times.
Note: When you normal attack don't just right click the enemy hero. Right after attacking move with your enemy and right click to attack again. By doing this you would be able to keep up with your opponent and still be able to do damage as much as possible.

This is the interesting part with Jarvan. If your ulti is up you can always look for a gank in mid lane or get ready for a dragon fight. To gank middile lane you can stand in your wraith camp, and do your e-q combo over the wall and ulti the enemy. This will surprise them as they won't think you would appear like that. In this part of the game you will start roaming with your team a lot more, and look for ganks or doing objectives such as dragon. If the enemy team roams as well, you don't have to worry because your gold/5 will ensure your first class ticket into late game.

This is part where Jarvan IV shines. You basically have two options:
1. You can start with your e-q combo onto as many people, or their carries. After you would lock down and chase their squishies around and you will successfully zone them out of the fight.
2. If they are out of position ulti right away and have your team pick them off.

Remember that with The you hp regenerates like a monster which means that you can walk out of a fight and regenerate enough hp to turn around and finish your chaser off. Also if you need to run with Jarvan IV your e-q combo gets you really far and by the time you have and you peak at ~460 movement speed so no one gets away from you or vice versa no one can catch up to you!

April 27/2011:

-Guide created

June 15/2011:
-Solo lane items updated.