Graves vs Zed JUNGLE Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Graves

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Zed

Graves vs Zed

Updated Jun 4, 2026

Overview

Use Graves's fast, healthy clears and strong dueling to control jungle tempo and punish Zed's weaker early clears.
Prioritize river control and scuttle vision to deny Zed safe access to objectives and counter his high early agency.
This matchup is a snowball vs early burst assassin; leverage Graves's ranged skirmishing to maintain tempo leads and avoid giving Zed easy all-ins.

Jungle Plan

Path for a three-camp clear into river Scuttle control, only contesting if your lanes have priority to back you up.
Invade Zed's jungle when you spot him on predictable gank paths, using your dueling strength to force him off camps.
Prioritize early dragon and Rift Herald setups by securing vision and denying Zed access through river control and counter-jungling.

Danger windows

Beware of Zed's level 3 all-in combo and level 6 ultimate; avoid isolated river fights during these spikes.
Be cautious contesting Scuttle or objectives when low on health or without lane priority, as Zed can capitalize with burst and mobility.
Respect Zed's first completed lethality item timing as his threat to win duels and force fights increases significantly.

Early game

Start with a full clear to maximize health and tempo, then contest first Scuttle if nearby lanes have priority.
Avoid early direct fights unless you have level or health advantage, as Zed's mobility and burst spike at level 3.
Use your clear speed to path around Zed's expected gank routes and counter-invade when he commits to lane pressure.

Power spikes

At level 3, Zed unlocks his full combo; respect this by avoiding isolated fights and punish cooldowns after he uses (W).
Graves's early clear speed and dueling power spike allow aggressive counter-jungling before Zed reaches lethality item power spikes.
Track Zed's ultimate (R) cooldown to avoid all-ins and capitalize on windows to force objectives or invade safely.

Win conditions

Convert Graves's clear tempo and dueling strength into aggressive counter-jungling to deny Zed farm and experience.
Use river control and vision to secure early dragons and Rift Herald, forcing Zed into unfavorable fights.
Leverage your ranged burst and kiting to snowball leads into objective pressure and teamfight access, denying Zed opportunities to pick off targets.