The jungle died in 7.07. Metagame changes and consecutive nerfs reduced its value over time. Jungling is effectively viable only with a few dedicated heroes.

I will prove that jungling is not an efficient option with many heroes.

If you know players that still resort to jungling when all other core positions are taken, please share this article to them. Even if picking a support is absolutely prohibited by their creed, a roamer or a second offlaner are way more useful to the team than an afk jungler.

Main nerfs to jungling in 7.06 and 7.07

IceFrog implemented a multitude of adjustments in Dota 2 that deeply affected the gameplay. I won’t bother you with a big list, or explain how the meta shifted in the past years, but will focus our attention on some simple changes that nerfed the jungle.

Less gold and experience

7.06

Neutrals now give 20% less XP and Gold.

7.06e

Neutral small camps gold bounty increased by 10%.

Starting from 7.06, all neutrals provided less gold and experience. The condition marginally improved in 7.06c, but still all junglers had to face a sad truth: they have to spend more time farming to acquire the same level and items as before.

In most games, the team will play 4 versus 5 for a longer time.

Below, gold and experience granted by all the small, medium, and large jungle creeps. Pictures from the amazing Dota 2 Wiki.

Update: 7.07d reduced all neutral ancients gold bounties by 10%