Joust is probably my favorite game mode. It's short, intensive, and it doesn't cause me to rage out over a 45 minute loss.

I won't deny it's definitely not the most popular mode (probably third after Conquest and arena) but I'd like to shed a few tips here and there on how to actually win with teamplay.

1) Joust is NOT a passive play mode

There is no jungler or other lanes to save you here. The game state will persist as it is until something happens. If you play passively, you are not winning and will never reach a position to win. Here are a few tips.

Always play aggressively

Always look to catch someone out and kill them before the team gets there. This means wards at the blue buff joints. Anyone who is out of position will be strangled, and you are free to push back.

Step up to the wave to clear it. No one gets gold if the tower kills it, and you're giving them free turret damage. Alternatively, if you're doing the pushing, stop backing off when it's to their turret, punish them for playing passively by making them take damage to clear minions.

By stepping up to clear the wave, this gives you opportunity to collapse on some guy who didn't quite get the "going back to base" memo, and gives you the opportunity to push again.

2) Pheonix and turret over buffs and bull demon

Those will be there. You can collect them on your way to lane from a recall. Grabbing the enemy teams structures first gives you pressure to take the buffs for free.

Never back to take buffs and xp camp unless you're in a position to recall or coming back to lane. You give up so much pressure

An example, you take 2 of the enemy team down and you have the option to take pheonix or bull demon. The correct answer is to take pheonix, after run to bull demon and take to recall. If the enemy contests you, enhanced minions means they lose a lot of pressure if neglected. If they take care of the minions, you can take demon and reset to finish the game.

Clear the turret as early as possible.

If no enemies are in lane and you push and want to back, take the time to do damage to the turret with your wave. Enemies will not be back to contest before your wave is dead and at best for them the lane is reset and at best for you their turret is dead.

I see far too often people giving up all pressure by playing passively or giving up free objective damage. Joust is an aggressive game mode, playing passively only serves to make the game state worse for you. Play aggressive and it gives you chances to turn the tide of the game, you don't have those chances without it.