Ward deep when you need early information and can get there safely, and ward shallow when the area is dangerous or you only need to protect yourself. Deep wards in the enemy jungle show where the enemy is going long before they arrive, but they cost time and risk. Shallow wards in the river or your own jungle are safer to place but give less warning.
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What deep and shallow mean
Shallow vision is close to your side: your jungle, the river, the brush next to your lane. Deep vision is on the enemy's side of the map: their jungle camps, entrances and buffs.
Most good set-ups mix both: deep wards for early warning, and closer wards for the area where you will actually fight.
When to ward deep
Ward deep when your team is ahead, your lanes are pushed, and you want to track the enemy jungler or catch someone. A deep ward on an enemy camp shows their jungler's path, which lets your laners push and your jungler invade or take objectives.
When to stay shallow
Ward shallow when you are behind, when lanes are pushed against you, or when most of the enemy team is missing. The ward gives less warning, but you place it without risking a death, and it still protects you and your jungle.
Depth around objectives
Before an objective, deep wards on the enemy's entrances show them coming long before the fight, and closer wards near the pit show where they stand when it starts. Ward deep when you have priority, and keep your vision close when you don't.
Common ward depth mistakes
Walking deep into the enemy jungle alone to place a ward while your team is behind.
Only warding your own river when you are ahead, so you never see the enemy coming early.
Placing a deep ward on a camp the enemy just cleared and will not visit again for a while.
Practice shallow vs deep vision
Shallow vs deep vision is one of the 51 patterns on the MOBA Trainer Pattern Map, with a video explanation and training puzzles made by top players and coaches. In each puzzle you see a real game moment, choose how deep to ward, and learn why the best players choose differently. The daily puzzle and the first lesson are free.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a deep ward in League?
- A ward placed on the enemy's side of the map, usually in their jungle at a camp, buff or entrance. It shows enemy movement early, long before they reach your side.
- Is it worth warding the enemy jungle?
- When your team has priority and you can get in and out safely, yes: it tracks the enemy jungler and shows rotations early. When you are behind or most enemies are missing, the risk is usually not worth it.
- Where should I ward when my team is behind?
- Closer to home: your own jungle entrances, your buffs, and the paths to your towers and side lanes. These wards stop invades and dives without sending anyone into danger.
- Who should place deep wards?
- Players who can get there and back safely: often the jungler, the support, or a laner whose wave is pushed. A champion with an escape, or a teammate nearby, lowers the risk.
- Is MOBA Trainer free?
- The daily puzzle and the first lesson are free. The full campaign with every pattern is part of the Season Pass. MOBA Trainer runs on Windows, macOS, iPhone and Android, in the web app, and in Discord with the Moti bot.