Sylas vs Hecarim Jungle Matchup
Sylas Jungle wins 53.7% of 1,780 Low Elo games against Hecarim Jungle, +1.1 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.
Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.
Why Sylas is favored
Sylas can turn Hecarim's committed dive into a counter-engage: Kingslayer sustains him at close range, and Hijack gives him Hecarim's fear-and-charge ultimate. Hecarim's faster early clear is the main window to keep Sylas from reaching those fights on even terms.
Measured in High Elo: Sylas wins 2.2pp more often than expected over 2,268 games.
How to play as Sylas
Give up a contested camp if Hecarim's lanes can rotate first. When he ganks your side, let him spend Devastating Charge before committing to the duel; the Master jungler discussion notes Hecarim clears faster and sticks better when his charge is available.
Onslaught of Shadows sends Hecarim through a fight and fears nearby enemies at the end; Sylas can Hijack it to start or disrupt the same kind of dive.
Both junglers have tools to stay in a close skirmish: Hecarim's E gains speed and knocks a target back, while Sylas's W lunges to a champion and heals him.
How to play as Hecarim
When Sylas has taken Onslaught of Shadows, track his position before grouping; the stolen charge and fear can start his own dive. Use Devastating Charge to knock him off a priority target once he commits, instead of trying to win a long stand-up fight in Kingslayer range.
Sources
These notes come from r/Jungle_Mains, checked against the champions' abilities.