Vladimir vs Shen

Vladimir
vs
54.5%

over 33 games

Shen

Skill 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 Vladimir: Stormsurge, Rabadon's Deathcap, Void Staff, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Dark Seal, Cosmic Drive, Riftmaker, Hextech Rocketbelt.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Stormsurge
1
Rabadon's Deathcap
2
Void Staff
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Dark Seal
5

Summoner spells

FlashHaste78%
FlashDot17%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Dark Seal
Cosmic Drive
Riftmaker
Hextech Rocketbelt
Zhonya's Hourglass
Liandry's Torment
Mejai's Soulstealer
SorcerySorcery
Stormraider's SurgeStormraider's Surge
Nimbus CloakNimbus Cloak
TranscendenceTranscendence
Gathering StormGathering Storm
PrecisionPrecision
Last StandLast Stand
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Ability HasteAdaptive 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 Vladimir

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Save your empowered Transfusion

    After two Transfusion (Q) casts, the next one is empowered for a few seconds: save it for a trade, since it hits harder and heals you based on your missing health.

  2. Farm safely with Transfusion

    Last-hit minions with Transfusion (Q) until your items come in: it deals damage before healing you, and costs you nothing.

  3. Charge Tides of Blood at least 1 second

    Charge Tides of Blood (E) for at least 1 second before releasing: the missiles then also slow, and their damage grows with the charge.

  4. Dodge in your Sanguine Pool

    Save Sanguine Pool (W) to dodge CC or a burst: for 2 seconds, you're untargetable. It costs you part of your current health.

  5. Hemoplague first, burst second

    Cast Hemoplague (R) before your burst: infected enemies take increased damage from all sources, then the blast heals you for each champion hit.

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