Build the first contact instead of chasing one

0:55–8:00; first clear, level 3–4 river window, and the first dragon/grubs setup

Goal: complete a conditioned first clear while identifying one lane that can convert your arrival. A full clear is the default when lanes lack setup or the enemy wins early river contact; choose a three-camp route only if the level 3 window is real and the lane is extended, vulnerable, or about to receive a crash. Path so the final camp places you near that lane or the scuttler side with enough health to contest. Transition after the first play: if it produces a kill, Flash, or lane priority, take the nearby camp and objective setup; if it produces nothing, reset the route and preserve your farm tempo rather than repeating the gank.

Path

Choose pressure only when the route pays for itself

CONDITIONS: If your champion wins a level 3–4 river fight, a nearby lane can move first, and your clear ends beside a lane that is extended or has a crashed wave, then take a three- or five-camp path into that play. WINDOWS: Use the early first-clear window, roughly 2:20–3:30, but return to camps if the lane is not actually gankable. Xin's Q third attack and passive third-hit heal reward a short, prepared commit; they do not justify walking into a losing river fight.

With Xin Zhao

• If Xin Zhao is on your team, play near his first marked target rather than waiting for a perfect multi-target engage. When he lands Wind Becomes Lightning and can reach the Challenged enemy, add your damage or crowd control during his Three Talon Strike sequence so the third attack can knock the target up. If he enters alone or the target is not marked, hold your cooldowns for the next clearer window instead of following into an unsupported death.
• When Xin is setting up dragon, grubs, Herald, or Baron, help him establish the approach 60–90 seconds before spawn. Push the nearest lanes, sweep the entrance, and stand where the enemy jungler must pass. If Xin can zone that route while retaining Smite, the team gets a safer choice between starting, forcing a fight, or turning onto the invading champion.
• When Xin is ahead, give him a lane or jungle side where his pressure can be converted without requiring five players to follow every move. If he draws two enemies and your team can safely take a tower, wave, or objective, take the guaranteed payment; if he starts a dive, join only when you are within one screen and can damage the same target. His lead matters through conversions, not isolated highlight attempts.
• If Xin is behind, treat him as an entry controller and peel option rather than demanding that he delete the enemy carry. When the enemy dives your backline, let him use Crescent Guard and his knock-up to disrupt the closest threat; if he finds a marked target with a numbers advantage, follow that pick. Protecting his access and giving him farm toward the next objective is more useful than forcing an early contest.