Shen vs Senna
Build vs Senna
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Shen: Titanic Hydra, Dusk and Dawn, Thornmail, Plated Steelcaps, Bramble Vest, Randuin's Omen, Kaenic Rookern, Dead Man's Plate.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Senna's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When units die near Senna, their souls are periodically trapped by the Black Mist. Senna can attack these souls to free them, absorbing the Mist that held them in death. Mist fuels her Relic Cannon's power with increased Attack Damage, Attack Range, and Critical Strike Chance. Attacks from Senna's Relic Cannon take longer to fire, deal bonus damage, and briefly grant her a portion of her target's Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 15s | 11s | 26s | – |
| 6 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m20 |
| 9 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m20 |
| 11 | 15s | 11s | 26s | 2m |
| 16 | 15s | 11s | 23s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 15s | 11s | 20s | 1m40 |
Playing as Shen
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Senna
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Punish her when she goes for a soul
Take a trade when she steps up for a soul: each bit of Mist she absorbs with Absolution (passive) gives her AD, attack range and crit.
- Spread out if her embrace hits you
If Last Embrace (W) hits you, move away from your allies: after a short delay, you and nearby allies are rooted.
- Target her when she steps up
If you can engage, target her when she steps up for Piercing Darkness (Q): she has no dash to get away.
- Beware the wraiths
Back off when her team disappears into Curse of the Black Mist (E): her allies are camouflaged there, then fast and unselectable.
Other Shen matchups
Patch 16.21.1