Swain vs Shen
Favorable matchup
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Shen's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
After casting a spell, Shen gets a shield. Affecting other champions reduces the cooldown of this effect.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 16s | 18s | – |
| 6 | 6.5s | 16s | 18s | 3m20 |
| 9 | 5s | 14.5s | 18s | 3m20 |
| 11 | 5s | 13s | 18s | 3m |
| 16 | 5s | 10s | 14s | 2m40 |
| 18 | 5s | 10s | 10s | 2m40 |
Playing as Swain
Tips to maximize your impact
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1