Jarvan IV vs Graves
Skill matchup
Build vs Graves
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Jarvan IV: Profane Hydra, Voltaic Cyclosword, Bastionbreaker, Plated Steelcaps, Sundered Sky, Death's Dance, Black Cleaver, Eclipse.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Graves's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Graves' shotgun has some unique properties. He must reload when he runs out of ammo. Attacks fire 4 bullets, which cannot pass through units. Non-champions struck by multiple bullets are knocked back.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13s | 26s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 9.5s | 26s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 24s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 22s | 16s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 6s | 18s | 14s | 1m |
| 18 | 6s | 18s | 12s | 1m |
Playing as Jarvan IV
Tips to maximize your impact
- Flag first, then lance
Plant Demacian Standard (E), then cast Dragon Strike (Q) toward it: you fly to the flag and knock enemies in your path into the air.
- Start with an auto
Land an auto as soon as you reach your target: Martial Cadence (passive) adds damage based on their current health, then only triggers on them again after a few seconds.
- Trap a carry in your arena
Cast Cataclysm (R) on a carry who is away from their team: the arena is impassable, and you can recast to collapse it if it gets in your allies' way.
- Plant your flag near your allies
In teamfights, plant Demacian Standard (E) near the allies who are attacking: it gives them attack speed while they stay close to it.
Playing against Graves
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Keep units between you and him
Stay behind your minions or your frontline: the 4 bullets of each New Destiny (passive) auto can't pass through units.
- Hit him from outside his range
If you're ranged, hit him from a distance: his autos only reach 425, and New Destiny (passive) forces him to reload when his shotgun is empty.
- Get out of his smoke
Leave Smoke Screen (W) quickly rather than fighting inside it: the smoke slows you and cuts off all vision outside it.
- Drag the game out
If your team scales better over time, play for time: Graves is strongest in the early and mid game.
Other Jarvan IV matchups
Patch 16.21.1