Honor of Kings – How to Rotate as a Roamer

Tips to Rotate as a Roamer

For reference on skill level, I just hit GM as a solo queue roamer. I was stuck in Masters 1 for over a week, so my skill ceiling is probably low GM.

Regarding rotation, always start mid. If you’re someone who can grab a golem, then try to reset the enemy jungle at the start. If the enemy can pull golem, then your priority is to defend your jungle. After the first wave and river creep, check one of the golems to give your team knowledge of where the jungler started. After the second wave, go help a side lane. Priority goes to whichever side the enemy jungler should wind up. After that, it’s usually sticking around mid or farm lane. Mid has priority if the enemy is gathering to take mid tower. If at all possible, though, you want to ensure farm lane stays alive and farms for late game.

Gold Tyrant has priority at 4 min, purple has priority a few minutes before and then right after 10 min. (If you get the purple one around the 8 min mark, you’ll have lane pressure for an easier purple secure after the 10 min mark). After the 10 min mark, it really depends. Sometimes you need to babysit someone (whether they’re a mediocre player or just need help escaping after split pushing). Sometimes you need to stick with the group for a team fight.

As a side note, if you fall behind and the enemy roamer gets to rotate before you, it’s usually a good idea to go the same way unless your teammates have proven they’re watching the map and know to back up for that wave. The exception to this is if you would rotate too late to help; then it’s best to either do some jungle scouting or help on the opposite side lane.

Overall, I’d say the roamer’s job for rotations relies a lot on your ability to adapt to your team. Even if your team is rotating the “wrong way,” it may be worth it to go with them to ensure some sort of objective secure.

On the topic of the 3 heroes OP mentioned: Kui and Guiguzi can pull golem, so that is a priority at the start. Guiguzi is much harder to do, though, since they can kite the golem away from the wall. I don’t have any experience with Dolia since she’s always banned, but what I do know is river is king for her, and she wants to stick to someone with a super important ult (i.e., Kaiser).