Shen vs Maokai

Shen
vs
Not enough games
Maokai
Heavy CCStrong engageVery tankyHeavy AP damage

Build vs Maokai

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

Recommended items for Shen: Titanic Hydra, Dusk and Dawn, Thornmail, Mercury's Treads, Heartsteel, Bramble Vest, Hollow Radiance, Randuin's Omen.

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Titanic Hydra
1
Dusk and Dawn
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Heartsteel
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport49%
FlashDot48%

Other options

Heartsteel
Bramble Vest
Hollow Radiance
Randuin's Omen
Unending Despair
Tiamat
Kaenic Rookern
Executioner's Calling
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Force of Nature
Dead Man's Plate
Warmog's Armor
ResolveResolve
Grasp of the UndyingGrasp of the Undying
Shield BashShield Bash
Second WindSecond Wind
OvergrowthOvergrowth
InspirationInspiration
Biscuit DeliveryBiscuit Delivery
Approach VelocityApproach Velocity
Attack SpeedHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Maokai's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Sap Magic (P)

Maokai's basic attack also heals him and deals additional damage on a moderate cooldown. Each time Maokai casts a spell or is struck by an enemy's spell, this cooldown is reduced.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s14s18s–
66s14s18s2m10
95s13s18s2m10
115s12s18s1m50
165s10s16s1m30
185s10s14s1m30

Playing as Shen

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Place your blade behind your opponent

    Place your spirit blade behind your opponent before a trade, then cast Twilight Assault (Q): if it passes through them on the way back, your autos hit much harder.

  2. Start your trades with a spell

    Start a trade with an ability: Ki Barrier (passive) then gives you a shield, and hitting champions lowers its cooldown.

  3. Taunt through the wave

    Cast Shadow Dash (E) through the wave to surprise your opponent: the taunt forces them to come to you, and the spell restores energy if it hits.

  4. Keep your blade near your carry

    In teamfights, keep your spirit blade near your carry: Spirit's Refuge (W) forms where it is and blocks autos against your allies there.

  5. Don't wait on your R

    Cast Stand United (R) as soon as an ally is in danger: the shield already maxes out at 60% missing health, and the channel delays your arrival.

Playing against Maokai

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Watch out for brush

    Watch out for the brush near him: Sapling Toss (E) lasts longer there, explodes wider and slows more.

  2. No targeted spells during his dash

    Don't cast targeted spells during Twisted Advance (W): he's untargetable during the dash, then roots you when he arrives.

  3. Don't waste time on him

    In teamfights, go for his carries instead: each spell Maokai takes lowers the cooldown of Sap Magic (passive), which heals him on his next auto.

  4. Get out of his wall's path

    Get out of the path of Nature's Grasp (R): the wall moves slowly, and the root lasts longer if it has traveled a long way.

Patch 16.21.1