Definition

What’s a wave bouncing in League of Legends?

Alistar Smyth

25 th  July 2024 Edited at: 20th January 2025
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What's Wave Bouncing in League of Legends?

Introduction

Wave bouncing is a strategic wave management technique in League of Legends used to manipulate minion waves for advantageous positioning. This tactic involves pushing the wave into the enemy tower in such a manner that the upcoming minions will attack the creeps still under the tower. This will cause the wave to push slightly to you, potentially setting up a freeze in 1-2 waves. Understanding and executing wave bouncing can significantly impact your ability to dominate the laning phase and control the game.

What is Wave Bouncing?

Wave bouncing refers to pushing a minion wave into the enemy turret so that the turret kills your minions. As the next wave arrives, the enemy minions will still be under the tower, causing the wave to push back towards you. This technique helps in setting up a freeze near your tower, making it safer to farm and easier to deny the enemy champion farm and experience.

Why Use Wave Bouncing?

Deny Enemy Farm

Wave bouncing can setup freezes and force the enemy to overextend to farm, increasing their risk of ganks or aggressive plays. By setting up a freeze near your turret, you can effectively deny the enemy champion farm and experience.

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Safer Farming

Positioning the wave near your turret but outside its range allows you to farm safely, reducing the threat of enemy aggression and jungle ganks. This makes it easier to maintain a lead and control the lane.

Lane Control

Wave bouncing provides better control over the minion wave, allowing you to dictate the pace and positioning of the lane. This control is crucial for setting up plays, securing objectives, and creating opportunities for your team.

How to Execute Wave Bouncing

Push the Wave

Start by aggressively pushing the minion wave into the enemy turret. Use your abilities and auto-attacks to clear the wave quickly and efficiently.

Let the Turret Kill Your Minions

Allow the enemy turret to kill your minions. This will create an imbalance in the wave, causing the enemy minion wave to push back towards you. As the next wave of enemy minions arrives, they will attack your creeps under the tower, reinforcing the push towards you.

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Last-Hit Only

Once the wave starts pushing back, focus on last-hitting minions only. Avoid using abilities or excessive auto-attacks that would push the wave further towards the enemy. This ensures that the wave slowly pushes towards you, potentially setting up a freeze.

Scenarios for Wave Bouncing

Against Melee opponent

The most famous scenario of wave bouncing is done by Dopa with Twisted Fate against Fizz on Ionia Super Server. By setting up a wave bounce you can force a freeze even if your opponent never pushed a wave.

Preparing for Objectives

Set up a wave bounce to ensure the wave is pushing towards you before contesting objectives like Dragon or Baron. This provides will provide you with additional XP and gold from the next wave. If done properly you can setup a freeze while you are not even in the lane!

Risks and Considerations

Overextending

Be cautious of overextending when pushing the wave into the enemy tower. Ensure you have vision and map awareness to avoid getting caught out by the enemy team. Proper warding and communication with your team are essential.

Enemy Response

Be prepared for the enemy to try and counteract your wave bouncing by pushing the wave back or calling for their jungler to gank you. Maintain good communication with your team and adjust your strategy as needed to respond to the enemy's actions.

Conclusion

Wave bouncing is a powerful tool in League of Legends that, when used correctly, can give you significant control over your lane and create opportunities to deny your enemy farm and experience. By understanding when and how to bounce the wave, you can improve your overall laning phase and contribute more effectively to your team's success. Mastering this technique will help you dominate your lane and secure victory for your team.

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Alistar Smyth

Content Writer
With over two years in Challenger Alistar now spends his queue time writing League of Legends content to help people improve.

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