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Jungle · Normal DraftMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Talon vs Vex

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

TalonVSVex

Matchup guide

Choose the matchup

Search every champion, choose the assigned role, then open the exact queue page.

VS
Role
Selected laneJungle

Choose two champions from the list.

Role fit

JungleTalon

Talon has a reviewed secondary role here. It is less common than the primary roles, but it has a recognisable role-specific plan.

Reviewed secondary
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Jungle

Evidence-supported Talon Jungle

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Reviewed secondary
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Scorchclaw Pup

450 gold

Provides Smite progression and the attack-oriented Jungle companion.

1
First item

Umbral Glaive

2,800 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Boots

Boots of Swiftness

1,000 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Core

Bastionbreaker

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Late

Voltaic Cyclosword

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Flexible

Serylda's Grudge

3,000 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Pick safety

Edge of Night

3,000 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with health and a spell shield before a risky physical-damage engage.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingChempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.View full route

Best when: Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. LateVoltaic Cyclosword
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night
AlternativePhysical burstDeath's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.View full route

Best when: Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. Death's Dance
  4. LateVoltaic Cyclosword
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night
AlternativeSustained magic damageKaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.View full route

Best when: Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. CoreBastionbreaker
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededEvidence-supported Talon JungleRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. CoreBastionbreaker
  4. LateVoltaic Cyclosword
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night
AlternativeToo much healingChempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.View full route

Best when: Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. Chempunk Chainsword
  4. LateVoltaic Cyclosword
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night
AlternativePhysical burstDeath's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.View full route

Best when: Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. Death's Dance
  4. LateVoltaic Cyclosword
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night
AlternativeSustained magic damageKaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.View full route

Best when: Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

  1. First itemUmbral Glaive
  2. BootsBoots of Swiftness
  3. CoreBastionbreaker
  4. Kaenic Rookern
  5. FlexibleSerylda's Grudge
  6. Pick safetyEdge of Night

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsTalonJungle

The assassin page focuses one reachable target after clearing. Smite stays available for camps and objectives; the second spell reflects the champion's normal access pattern.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Domination

ElectrocuteSudden ImpactGrisly MementosRelentless Hunter
Secondary tree

Precision

TriumphCoup de Grace
Summoner spells
FlashSmite
Keep Smite

Smite is part of Jungle companion progression and objective security. The movement or combat spell beside it is the adjustable slot.

Change the movement spell

Ghost can fit sustained access; Flash can fit one immediate reposition. Use the champion's route and intended fights to choose.

Matchup notes

What changes when Vex is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison
Kit comparison

Respect the opponent's reliable threat

Track the cooldown and range of the ability that starts their safest trade. Do not treat this page as a statistical counter claim.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

Talon reminders

  • You can use Assassin's Path to get behind the enemy and set up for Noxian Diplomacy's melee attack.
  • Shadow Assault is a powerful escape tool, but can also be offensively used to assault a group.
  • Remember to pick your target before the fight. Focusing all of Talon's abilities on one target can be very rewarding, but splitting them up between many may leave you helpless.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Too much healing

Chempunk Chainsword

Chempunk Chainsword adds anti-heal without abandoning attack damage and health.

Physical burst

Death's Dance

Death's Dance delays physical damage so takedowns can stabilise the fight.

Sustained magic damage

Kaenic Rookern

Kaenic Rookern is a defensive answer when repeated magic damage is the real problem.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Talon

  1. P
    Blade's End

    Talon's spells Wound champions and large monsters, stacking up to 3 times. When Talon attacks a champion with 3 stacks of Wound, they bleed for heavy damage over time.

  2. Q
    Noxian Diplomacy

    Talon stabs the target unit. If they are within melee range, this attack deals critical damage. If they are outside melee range, Talon will leap at his target before stabbing them. Talon refunds some health and cooldown if this ability kills the target.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7.5/7/6.5/6 · Cost 40 · Listed range (units) 575
  3. W
    Rake

    Talon sends out a volley of daggers that then return back to him, dealing physical damage every time it passes through an enemy. The returning blades deal bonus damage and slow units hit.

    Cooldown (s) 9/8.5/8/7.5/7 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 650
  4. E
    Assassin's Path

    Talon vaults over any terrain or structure, up to a max distance. This ability has a low cooldown, but puts the used terrain on a long cooldown.

    Listed range (units) 725
  5. R
    Shadow Assault

    Talon disperses a ring of blades and becomes Invisible while gaining additional Move Speed. When Talon emerges from Invisibility, the blades converge on his location. Each time the blades move, Shadow Assault deals physical damage to enemies hit by at least one blade.

    Cooldown (s) 100/80/60 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 550

Vex

  1. P
    Doom 'n Gloom

    Vex periodically becomes empowered, causing her next basic Ability to fear enemies and interrupt dashes. Whenever a nearby enemy dashes, Vex applies a mark that can be consumed for bonus damage that also reduces the cooldown of her empowered state.

  2. Q
    Mistral Bolt

    Launch a damaging missile that accelerates mid-flight.

    Cooldown (s) 8/7/6/5/4 · Cost 45/50/55/60/65 · Listed range (units) 1200
  3. W
    Personal Space

    Gain a shield and damage nearby enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 16/15/14/13/12 · Cost 75 · Listed range (units) 475
  4. E
    Looming Darkness

    Summon a damaging and slowing zone that applies Gloom to enemies.

    Cooldown (s) 12 · Cost 70/80/90/100/110 · Listed range (units) 800
  5. R
    Shadow Surge

    Fire a missile that marks an enemy champion. Recast to dash to them and deal damage.

    Cooldown (s) 140/120/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 2000/2500/3000

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Keep the clear moving and choose high-information plays

1
Pathing

Track opposing camps and lane states instead of forcing the first visible target.

2
Map play

Trade sides of the map when contesting would require weaker lanes to move first.

3
Fights

Save important control for the enemy who threatens your carries or objective access.

Pings, movement and objectives

Talon Jungle map plan

Link each clear to the next informed decision. Pings should tell lanes where you are pathing and whether the team is contesting or trading an objective.

Ahead

Turn tempo into controlled territory

Ping
Use On My Way before entering a lane, Assist Me before an objective and Danger when nearby lanes cannot move to an invade.
Path or gank
Gank when the lane has reach, damage and a safe exit. Do not wait beside a protected target while camps and the next objective disappear.
Objective
Establish vision with the nearest winning lane, keep Smite available and avoid chasing away from the objective after gaining control.
Even

Choose the play with the clearest information

Ping
Use On My Way early enough for the lane to prepare, Assist Me only when nearby lanes can move, and Retreat when the contest has already become late.
Path or gank
Prefer a lane with crowd control, damaged opponents or a favourable wave. A visible opponent is not automatically a usable gank.
Objective
Check Mid and Bot priority before Dragon, or Mid and Top before Herald. Set a safe entrance before beginning the objective.
Behind

Trade the map instead of forcing recovery

Ping
Ping Retreat from lost contests, Danger on likely invades and On My Way when covering a vulnerable lane or remaining camp.
Path or gank
Counter-gank or help only when allies can survive until arrival. Repeated low-chance ganks deepen the camp and level deficit.
Objective
If entry is unsafe, trade for camps, a wave, vision or the opposite objective. Keep Smite and crowd control for a contest the team can actually reach.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Before the route

    Decide which camps lead toward the objective and ping the nearby lanes before they spend the wave or recall timing.

  2. 2
    Check priority

    Confirm which nearby lanes can move first. Do not convert an isolated objective marker into a forced fight.

  3. 3
    Control entry

    Move with a teammate, sweep one entrance and keep Smite available before committing damage to the objective.

  4. 4
    Finish or turn

    Call whether the team is finishing, fighting or leaving. Mixed decisions are more dangerous than either clear choice.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

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