Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The Tornado Poke
- The Janna Skin Tier List
- When They Ban Janna
- Runes That Work on Janna
- Leveling Janna's Abilities
- Mastering Janna's Kit
- Matchups That Matter for Janna
- Monsoon Timing
- When Roaming Won't Fix It
- Keeping Your Carry Alive
- The Shield Bot Build
- Janna's Strongest Moments
- The Monsoon Disengage
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low elo players don't know how to deal with Janna's disengage. They will constantly dive onto her ADC, only to be pushed back by Monsoon (R) or knocked up by a well-timed Howling Gale (Q). They also fail to respect her E (Eye of the Storm) shield, which not only protects but adds a massive amount of AD to her carry, turning trades in her favor.
The Tornado Poke
Start W (Zephyr) for early poke and move speed. In lane, your W-poke is obnoxious and hard to trade back against. Level 2 with E (Eye of the Storm) allows you to shield yourself or your ADC for even more efficient trades. A well-placed Q from bush can also catch enemies off guard.
Charge Q in a brush. Aim it where they WILL be, not where they are. Release early if they walk into it. It's great zoning. W poke is point-and-click annoyance. Whittle them down so they can't engage.
The Janna Skin Tier List
'Forecast Janna' is the classic smurf skin—the unique animations and 'news reporter' aesthetic are perfect for BM. 'Bewitching Janna' offers amazing seasonal effects. 'Crystal Rose Janna' is a high-tier choice for visual clarity. Avoid 'Tempest Janna' as it lacks modern flair.
'Forecast' voice lines are top tier BM. 'Sacred Sword' has very smooth flowing cloth physics. 'Bewitching' pumpkin tornado is hard to see on some terrains. 'Guardian of the Sands' is underrated. Forecast is the classic main choice.
'Forecast Janna' is the legislative choice for BM. 'Sacred Sword' has very smooth flowing cloth physics. 'Bewitching' pumpkin tornado is hard to see. 'Guardian of the Sands' is underrated. Forecast is the classic main choice.
When They Ban Janna
Lulu protects against dive. Nami disrupts. Soraka heals. Janna is the queen of disengage, so finding a direct replacement is hard. Milio is probably the closest modern 'anti-engage' enchanter.
Lulu offers similar 'protect the carry' tools. Nami provides a mix of peel and engage bubbles. Soraka is for pure healing. Lulu is the best alternative for stopping assassins.
Runes That Work on Janna
Summon Aery is the best choice for both shielding and poke. Glacial Augment is an alternative for even more disruption on your CC. Secondary Inspiration with Magical Footwear and Cosmic Insight to reach your core items faster.
Leveling Janna's Abilities
Max W first—it's your primary lane poke and source of movement speed. Max E second for the stronger shield and bonus AD. Max Q last as the knock-up duration is fixed.
Mastering Janna's Kit
Howling Gale. Janna creates a tornado that charges and then travels in a direction, knocking up all enemies hit. You can activate it early for a quick CC or let it charge for a longer knock-up.
Zephyr. Janna sends a bird to deal magic damage and slow an enemy. While the spell is off cooldown, she gains movement speed and can move through units.
Eye of the Storm. Janna shields an ally or a turret, granting them bonus Attack Damage. Use this just before your ADC trades or a projectile hits them.
Monsoon. Janna releases a massive wave of wind, knocking back all nearby enemies and then channeling a powerful heal for all allies in the area.
Matchups That Matter for Janna
Easy Matchup. You can cancel her E (Zenith Blade) mid-air with your Q (Howling Gale) every single time. As long as you have your Q, she can never engage on you.
Skill Matchup. It's a battle of who protects their carry better. Janna has better disengage, but Lulu has stronger single-target buffs. Focus on shielding your ADC during her trades.
Hard Matchup. If you get hooked, you're dead. You have to play behind minions and use your MS to dodge. Your disengage is useless if you're the one pulled.
Monsoon Timing
Stop wasting your Q! It's your most important defensive tool. If you throw it out for poke and miss, you are vulnerable to an engage for 12 seconds. Hold it to cancel dashes like Leona's E or Alistar's W. Also, don't use your R just for the heal—use it to knock enemies away from your carry.
Don't use R just to heal 50 HP. Save it for the Kennen ult, the Zac jump, the Rengar leap. It's a 'NO' button. Pushing enemies INTO your tower is a pro move, but risky. Default to pushing them AWAY.
When Roaming Won't Fix It
Dodge if facing heavy 'siege' or 'artillery' comps with Xerath or Vel'Koz if your team has no way to reach them. They can poke from outside your disengage range. Also dodge into Blitzcrank who can pull you from afar.
Xerath and Vel'Koz poke you out. You can't shield poke forever. Blitzcrank hook ignores your peel if it lands. Against poke, rush boots and roam. Against hook, stand behind minions.
Dodge heavy 'artillery' comps with Xerath or Vel'Koz. They poke from outside your disengage range. Also dodge Blitzcrank—one hook through your shield and you pop. Janna hates long-range poke.
Keeping Your Carry Alive
In teamfights, you are the guardian. Stay near your carry, use your E to shield them from priority damage, and use your Q to interrupt anyone trying to dive. Your R (Monsoon) is one of the most powerful disengage tools in the game—use it to reset a fight or to push away an entire team of divers.
Shield gives AD. Shield BEFORE the damage hits and BEFORE they attack. E-Q-R. Exhaust the assassin. You are the peel goddess. If your ADC dies, it's (usually) your fault.
The Shield Bot Build
Full AP 'Nuclear Hurricane' Janna. Luden's Tempest -> Lich Bane -> Rabadon's Deathcap. With this build, your W deals surprising damage and your E shield is massive. It's funny to witness a support who can one-shot squishies with a bird and a tornado. High-risk, high-flex.
Moonstone into Ardent Censer. If your ADC is a caster, go Shurelya's. Imperial Mandate if you're dominating. Janna doesn't need AP as much as she needs Haste. More tornadoes = more wins.
Moonstone Renewer into Ardent Censer. Your shields become massive and apply buffs. For the meme build: Luden's -> Lich Bane makes your W hurt, but your team will hate you. Stick to Moonstone.
Janna's Strongest Moments
Level 1-3 is your strongest poke phase in lane. Level 6 is your massive disengage spike. Your biggest item spike is reaching Ardent Censer or Staff of Flowing Water, which significantly buffs your carry's effectiveness.
Level 6 disengage. Ardent Censer spike. 50% Heal/Shield power. Late game you move at mach speed. You can ward safely because you're so fast. Use that speed.
Level 1-3 is your strongest poke phase with W. Level 6 is your massive disengage spike. Reaching Ardent Censer significantly buffs your carry. You are strongest when the enemy wants to dive.
The Monsoon Disengage
Spam the 'dance' emote while the enemy is trying and failing to reach your carry. Type 'Can't catch the wind!' in all-chat after a successful disengage. The feeling of an enemy assassin blowing all their cooldowns only to be pushed away by your R is incredibly tilting.
Stop holding your R for the big heal. Use it for the knockback! Disengage the Zed or the Talon immediately. Your tornado (Q) is a zoning tool, not a poke spell. Charge it from a bush and wait for them to walk in. You are the protector of the backline.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.9 | May 1, 2024 | NERF | W nerfed, E buffed |
| V13.23 | Nov 21, 2023 | BUFF | P adjusted, W adjusted |
| V13.22 | Nov 8, 2023 | ADJUST | Base stats adjusted |
| V13.8 | Apr 19, 2023 | BUFF | W buffed, E buffed |
| V12.19 | Oct 5, 2022 | ADJUST | Base stats adjusted |
