Returning player feels confused, please help me out with a few things
I've taken a break since season 12 and now I am back in the jungle and I just feel... confused man.
First of all the changes to how jungle works now, especially the clear, I've been consistently clearing the jungle and securing the scuttle crab at around 3:15 mark, I've completely lost it when it comes to the meta clears, haven't practiced all the new ways to cut seconds. I just go full clear with 1 smite and using the second charge to secure the crab.
And this is where it gets weird. On some games by the time I get to the river the crab is already long gone, yet on some games even with jungle tracking when I know they're gonna be pathing towards the same side, I am able to comfortably beat them to the crab.
It's like some games I'm way ahead of my enemy jungler and some games I'm way behind. I don't get it. Is 3:15 considered terrible to get the scuttle? Are some players following the meta ways to clear and able to be there ahead of me and some players clearly just didn't get the memo and are lacking behind like myself? What's the deal here?
Second thing, I get how void grubs work now, but would you say it's worth it to trade them for a play botside. What's considered a better play, securing the void grubs or making play botside?
And to clear things up, I'm Gold 4.
Thanks in advance for everyone willing to help, I really appreciate it.