I'm embarrassing myself out there, I really am. Sure, once I get him loaded up with items and start approaching 18, I destroy about anyone 1 on 1, and wreak general havoc.

My problem is that I'm getting stomped, like really stomped, early on. (Of 6 matches so far, only one has gone well, when I had a solid Corki as a lane partner) I just can't seem to figure how to play him early. Do I just go really, really conservative during laning, and try to hug the tower? Is Jax the type that I should think about jungling early on? Perhaps I'm just getting unlucky being matched up against ranged champs early, and they just seem to be able to harass me at will.

So anyone have any advice?

I think what's getting me is harassment from ranged enemies. It just seems to easy for them to plunk me here and there and wear me down, then a quick focus from both enemies and I'm toast. I guess the problem is I have to get up close and personal to try to get last hits, and then I'm constantly being whittled down. I even usually start off with a couple of health pots to help, but perhaps I get a little too aggressive early as well.

You fail hard, he's possibly one of the most OP heros right now.

Brilliant reply, Lynxion.

As for those who actually tried to help, thanks much!

Jax can have some early gaem trouble depending on who he is laned with adn against, he can also do very well. I Grab a doran's shield to start off with, really helps out.

Know the heros you are laned against, know if yuo would be able to harass by leap strike+empower and get away with more dmg to them then to you. I get 1 level of each skill then focus on Leap Strike>counterstrike>relentless assult>empower.

If you have some squishys(ashe, twitch and veigar are my favorites=P) in your lane you can net yourself afew early kills and become a force. If you are going agaisnt a ryze or an annie (basicly anyone with a stun or huge burst) or dual ranged dps (teemo/trist or corki/ashe sucks abit) If you do have one of those lanes just sit back, it is better to survive poorly farmed then to feed the enemy and be outleveled and poorly farmed.

This is from my expiernce anyways, hoped it helped =]

Jax early game is his weakest point now. Any advice offered already is about as good as it gets it seems. I havnt found a way around it yet.

He can jungle wolves early if you have life steal. Dragon at 6 if you have lifesteal but thats dependent on dodges as well. I usually go 1 point into empower and jump and the rest into dodge through level 5, offers the most survivability and lets you harass still as well as the dodge being pretty much the only way to protect yourself.

Another option to look at is your summoner spells. I have found ghost and cleanse to work really well for Jax.

Masteries going 19 to 21 points into defense will help and the rest into offense depending on how you play him.

Runes - Dodge runes for yellow and magic resist for blue runes if you really want to ramp up your survivability.

I'm glad to hear it's not totally me playing horribly. I'll try starting with Doran's, and play it pretty conservative. Even playing conservative, though, he seems to be a big target for the opposing team.

Now, once I get a few good items under my belt, everything changes, but early he has been tough to play.