Farm until a target is genuinely trapped

0:00–8:00, or until your first clear, Scuttler, and first dragon/grub decision are resolved

Start with a conditioned clear that protects your health and points toward a lane with actual setup. A level-3 gank is justified when the enemy is overextended, missing an escape, or collecting a crashed wave; otherwise take the camp and keep your role-quest tempo. Before Scuttler or the first dragon, check lane priority and the enemy jungler's position. If you are ahead, use your health advantage to contest with a nearby lane; if behind, farm the opposite side and avoid a blind river duel.

Path

Choose health and a real target over forced frenzy

If your champion wins the first clear economically and your lanes lack reliable setup, then use a conditioned full clear toward the lane or river side where a real play can occur. If a lane is overextended, has lost its escape spell, and you can arrive after level 3, trade two camps for the gank; otherwise preserve the clear and your health for the next cycle.

With Briar

• If Briar is on your team, give her a reachable target rather than starting a scattered fight. When she uses Head Rush or Certain Death, follow the marked target's arrival zone with your crowd control and damage; she gains far more from one focused victim than from five enemies spread across the river.
• If you are the frontline, hold the entrance and prevent the enemy from walking away while Briar is in Blood Frenzy. If she begins Chilling Scream, use that time to cover her exit or punish enemies displaced toward a wall rather than abandoning her for a new target.
• If your team is setting up dragon, Herald, or Baron, push the nearby lanes and establish vision 60–90 seconds beforehand. Briar can threaten the enemy jungler at the entrance, but she should not be expected to rescue an objective started with no priority or follow-up.
• If Briar is ahead, let her take the first safe camp or pick that opens the map, then convert it into a structure, objective, or enemy jungle denial. When she is behind, protect her farm route and help her reach a visible target; do not demand repeated dives into a defended lane.