Maokai vs Shen

Maokai
vs
40.3%

over 124 games

Shen

Hard matchup

Heavy AD damageVery tankySplit pushStrong engage

Build vs Shen

The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup

Recommended items for Maokai: Locket of the Iron Solari, Bandlepipes, Thornmail, Boots of Swiftness, Solstice Sleigh, Celestial Opposition, Bramble Vest, Knight's Vow.

Starting items

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Locket of the Iron Solari
1
Bandlepipes
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Solstice Sleigh
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot63%
ExhaustFlash21%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Solstice Sleigh
Celestial Opposition
Bramble Vest
Knight's Vow
Liandry's Torment
Unending Despair
Spirit Visage
Dead Man's Plate
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Zeke's Convergence
Heartsteel
Protoplasm Harness
Frozen Heart
Oblivion Orb
Kaenic Rookern
Imperial Mandate
Randuin's Omen
Jak'Sho, The Protean
ResolveResolve
AftershockAftershock
Font of LifeFont of Life
Bone PlatingBone Plating
UnflinchingUnflinching
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Cosmic InsightCosmic Insight
Adaptive ForceHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Shen's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Ki Barrier (P)

After casting a spell, Shen gets a shield. Affecting other champions reduces the cooldown of this effect.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s16s18s–
66.5s16s18s3m20
95s14.5s18s3m20
115s13s18s3m
165s10s14s2m40
185s10s10s2m40

Playing as Maokai

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Cast spells to recharge Sap Magic

    In lane, use your spells: each spell you cast or get hit by lowers the cooldown of Sap Magic (passive), and your next auto heals you.

  2. Saplings in the brush

    Throw Sapling Toss (E) into brush: there, the sapling lasts longer, explodes wider and slows more.

  3. Dive in with Twisted Advance

    Dash to your target with Twisted Advance (W): you're untargetable during the dash, and they're rooted when you arrive.

  4. Cast your wall from long range

    Cast Nature's Grasp (R) from far away to engage or block a path: the wall moves slowly, and the root lasts longer after a long run.

Playing against Shen

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay on the same side as his blade

    Stay on the same side as his spirit blade: if it doesn't pass through you, Twilight Assault (Q) deals much less damage.

  2. Trade after his E

    Take a trade after his Shadow Dash (E): it's both his taunt and his only dash, on an 18 to 10 second cooldown.

  3. No autos into his Refuge

    Don't waste autos on targets inside Spirit's Refuge (W): they're blocked there. Use spells instead, or wait for the zone to end.

  4. Interrupt his ult

    If you have CC, save it for Stand United (R): Shen channels before teleporting, and interrupting him keeps him away from the teamfight.

  5. Push when he leaves

    When he leaves lane with Stand United (R), ping your team and push your wave: each ult costs him minions and tower health.

Patch 16.21.1