Swain vs Shen

Swain
vs
57.6%

over 33 games

Shen

Favorable matchup

Heavy AD damageVery tankySplit pushStrong engage

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Shen

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

Recommended items for Swain: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Zhonya's Hourglass, Mercury's Treads, Liandry's Torment, Fimbulwinter, Rod of Ages, Frozen Heart.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Liandry's Torment
5

Summoner spells

FlashHaste41%
FlashTeleport30%

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Fimbulwinter
Rod of Ages
Frozen Heart
Dark Seal
Malignance
Tear of the Goddess
Riftmaker
Spirit Visage
Heartsteel
Bloodletter's Curse
Morellonomicon
Randuin's Omen
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth 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 Swain

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Aim Nevermove past your target

    Cast Nevermove (E) past your target: it only roots on the way back, as it returns to you. Then recast it to pull rooted champions to you.

  2. Poke through the wave

    Poke with Death's Hand (Q) even behind minions: its bolts pierce enemies, and its cooldown drops from 7 to 3 seconds.

  3. Collect Soul Fragments

    Hit champions with Vision of Empire (W) and pull them with Nevermove (E): each Ravenous Flock (passive) Soul Fragment heals you and raises your max health.

  4. Stay close during your ult

    During Demonic Ascension (R), stay close to enemy champions: the drain extends your form, and a takedown refills your Demonic Energy.

  5. Support distant fights with your eye

    Cast Vision of Empire (W) on a fight breaking out elsewhere: its range is 5500 to 7500, and a busy or rooted enemy struggles to dodge the hit 1.5 seconds later.

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