Shen vs Swain

Shen
vs
44.8%

over 105 games

Swain

Hard matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh sustainSustained DPSHigh burst

Build vs Swain

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, Hollow Radiance, Bramble Vest, Kaenic Rookern, Heartsteel.

Starting items

Doran's Shield
Health Potion

Core build

Titanic Hydra
1
Dusk and Dawn
2
Thornmail
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Hollow Radiance
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot72%
FlashTeleport26%

Other options

Hollow Radiance
Bramble Vest
Kaenic Rookern
Heartsteel
Unending Despair
Tiamat
Randuin's Omen
Spirit Visage
Dead Man's Plate
Bandlepipes
Jak'Sho, The Protean
Force of Nature
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

Swain's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Ravenous Flock (P)

Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
37s20s12s–
65s20s12s2m
93s19s12s2m
113s18s12s2m
163s16s11s2m
183s16s10s2m

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 Swain

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge Nevermove on its return

    Get out of the Nevermove (E) path as it comes back: it only roots on its return to Swain, then he can pull each rooted champion to him.

  2. Leave the area of his eye

    Leave the area as soon as Vision of Empire (W) appears: it strikes and slows 1.5 seconds later, and each champion hit gives him a Soul Fragment.

  3. Keep your distance during his ult

    During Demonic Ascension (R), back off and hit from range if you can: he only drains nearby enemies, and his form ends when he stops draining.

  4. Cut his healing during his ult

    If you have Grievous Wounds, apply it during Demonic Ascension (R): the drain heals him every second, and that healing keeps him alive.

Patch 16.21.1