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Xin Zhao vs Graves

Jungle Matchup

Xin Zhao vs Graves JUNGLE matchup tips: scuttle control, predicted pathing, invade windows and common mistakes.

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Scuttle Contest

At level 3, you win the scuttle fight against Graves if you close the gap immediately and land your E before he can create distance, since his damage falls off sharply when he is forced to use Q without a wall nearby and cannot maintain optimal range; your W sustain during the extended fight gives you a significant health advantage if the trade goes long.
From level 6, your sure win condition is baiting his E first by walking toward him aggressively, then using your own E after he repositions to knock him up and chain your full combo before he can reload and re-engage.

Graves typically starts Red Buff and paths through Raptors or Krugs into Scuttle, favoring a fast clear to contest the first Scuttle Crab at around 3:15; he may also look for an early invade on your second buff if he has lane priority.
He will try to maintain distance throughout the fight and use terrain to amplify his Q damage, so expect him to path near walls and chokepoints rather than open areas.

You should invade Graves at his second buff camp around 2:15-2:30 if you started on the opposite side, as he will be lower health from clearing and your level 2 all-in with Q and E is strong enough to force a summoner spell or secure a kill.
Avoid invading his Red Buff side early if he started there with smite, because he will have full health and his burst at close range combined with E mobility makes a level 1-2 fight risky for you.

Do not let Graves dictate the range of the fight by chasing him in a straight line without your E ready, because he will simply E away, reload, and burst you from his preferred distance where his Q double-hit and basic attack damage is maximized.
Avoid engaging when your W is on cooldown, as the healing from W during extended trades is a core part of why you win the sustained fight, and without it Graves' burst will outdamage your raw attack speed.

Created on 09/05/2026

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