I'm a Diamond player who has mained Shaco for almost six years. AMA about Shaco.

ChickenWrap·May 16, 2016·13 votes·5,139 views

I'll answer to the best of my ability!

My Twitch stream is here, if you're interested in watching me stream on Tuesday, May 17th! http://www.twitch.tv/thechickenwrap

70 Comments

Goodest GamerMay 16, 201610 votes

whats wrong with you?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 201610 votes

{quoted}

whats wrong with you?

I like the verbal abuse that comes with playing Shaco.

DREADN0UGHTMay 17, 20161 votes

^Best. Answer. BR.

LadyRenlyMay 16, 20163 votes

how do you sleep at night?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20165 votes

{quoted}

how do you sleep at night?

I don't. Every time I close my eyes, I see this large, wicked grin.

I have insomnia now.

VerxintMay 16, 20162 votes

Why so serious?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20164 votes

[{quoted}](name=Little Mac is OP,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2016-05-16T22:42:26.822+0000)

Why so serious?

I'd do anything for a killer joke.

AutomatisMay 16, 20162 votes

What do you think of hydra? Split pushing is like all I've been able to do as Shaco.

When do you invade vs gank?

Whats your best tip for someone learning Shaco, past how to set up boxes lvl 1 and not to use E early in a gank.

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20163 votes

[{quoted}](name=Clock Codes,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0007,timestamp=2016-05-16T23:05:38.713+0000)

What do you think of hydra? Split pushing is like all I've been able to do as Shaco.

When do you invade vs gank?

Whats your best tip for someone learning Shaco, past how to set up boxes lvl 1 and not to use E early in a gank.

Hydra is an item I always rush first on Shaco. It's a very solid core item and it lends itself to fighting as well as split pushing. You should be building damage and looknig to deceitfully deceive into the enemy back-line during a fight and assassinate their highest priority targets with your burst damage. Play it right and you'll find that this is a lot more fun and rewarding than split pushing is.

Invade when you can take on the enemy jungle (they have a weak early-game and can't out-duel you). Gank whenever someone is over-extended or low on health. that said, remember that you have your own jungle too and it's dangerous to invade if your opponents are paying attention.

My best tip is "Don't be afraid to use Hallucinate. Holding onto it for the right time will oftentimes wind you up in a bad position or losing a teamfight because of all the damage your team is missing out on."

Also, ONCE YOU HAVE THE CLONE OUT, BE SURE TO CONTROL IT. It's such a powerful ability when it works correctly that it can change the tide of a fight and confuse your opponents like none other.

JofeyyMay 17, 20162 votes

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lw5qw1YaSIU/Urm-gVuHG3I/AAAAAAAAPfM/tqROodPLgCw/s1600/whats-in-the-box.gif

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

{quoted}

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lw5qw1YaSIU/Urm-gVuHG3I/AAAAAAAAPfM/tqROodPLgCw/s1600/whats-in-the-box.gif

Like, twelve jacks and a ball.

Night LotusMay 17, 20162 votes

While I might not be a big Shaco player myself, I want to throw this out anyway.

Suggested runes and masteries for AP & AD Shaco? And do you have a youtube channel?

What exactly "counters" Shaco, and how might you deal with a Shaco (both ranked and in normal games). While I've learnt to not push up too far, always ward early and such, there are some things such as an invading Shaco, and a fed Shaco that are still a bit frustrating. Something I particularly hold a grudge against is tank/bruiser Shaco especially top.

Also what is the most efficient way to beat Shaco's early game/deal with him when he invades. I know pink wards are a thing, I'm just wondering outside of pink wards in particular. (if you do have any important locations that I should regularly pink ward, feel free to suggest).

What got you so passionate about maining Shaco? What's his special charm that makes you enjoy him so much? (outside of people complaining ahaha)

Last but not least, what's something a Shaco player in game hates the most and what should Shaco generally AVOID doing.

Thanks for the AMA!

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20163 votes

[{quoted}](name=Night Lotus,realm=OCE,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0010,timestamp=2016-05-17T00:42:00.677+0000)

While I might not be a big Shaco player myself, I want to through this out anyway.

Suggested runes and masteries for AP & AD Shaco? And do you have a youtube channel?

What exactly "counters" Shaco, and how might you deal with a Shaco (both ranked and in normal games). While I've learnt to not push up too far, always ward early and such, there are some things such as an invading Shaco, and a fed Shaco that are still a bit frustrating. Something I particularly hold a grudge against is tank/bruiser Shaco especially top.

Also what is the most efficient way to beat Shaco's early game/deal with him when he invades. I know pink wards are a thing, I'm just wondering outside of pink wards in particular. (if you do have any important locations that I should regularly pink ward, feel free to suggest).

What got you so passionate about maining Shaco? What's his special charm that makes you enjoy him so much? (outside of people complaining ahaha)

Last but not least, what's something a Shaco player in game hates the most and what should Shaco generally AVOID doing.

Thanks for the AMA!

https://gyazo.com/a6341b687fd37a250ec0e11b507157d6.png AS quints https://gyazo.com/d083f9fb5c1f7fa5ebd896cd5b7e3a16.png https://gyazo.com/ff068b1ad7b8a3b3596670adf607048c.png (Swap Fury and Sorcery depending on AP or AD)

I do! http://www.youtube.com/thechickenwrap

Shaco is countered by burst champions as well as sustained fighters like Xin Zhao. The best way to counter Shaco is to look out for his smoke when he's ganking or to ward in places people don't often ward (alternatively, you could put a pink ward down somewhere in your lane). True sight is a huge crutch, so any spell that can grant it effectively removes him from doing his job. Heck, as a jungle if you want past a ward and Shaco is nearby, you'll see him in stealth (really? Why?). To deal with an invading Shaco, take your first buff first, and then rush to your second buff and ward it up so Shaco can't catch you off-guard. This is the best way to prevent his shenanigans from working at all.

Just gonna quote this:

{quoted}

Why do you play Shaco?

I love the sneaky, stealthy, stabby characters in video games,

In MMOs, I play the Rogues In TF2, I play Spy In League, I play Shaco In tactical games, I always attempt the sneaky route

I just love the dynamic of moving around undetected and surprising my opponent from nowhere, using my wits to outsmart an entire group of people and walk out unharmed is a fantasy that I enjoy more than any other. I love out-witting my opposition. Having the tools to be crafty with while doing it is a huge bonus, and that's why I play Shaco.

When I invade and the entire enemy team comes to help, and then they counter-invade me constantly and my own team isn't interested in helping during either invades. it really sets the tone for the rest of the game as it removes me completely and my team mates end up getting really mad because I can't clear either jungle without getting assaulted by two or more players. That's what I hate the most. Well, that, and how Oracle's disables all my traps and reveals where I am in stealth. OH! AND WHEN I GANK BUT PEOPLE RUSH IN TOO SOON.

That's what I hate more than anything. When I deceive in to gank and the lane I am ganking for scares the opponents off before I get close enough to start doing damage. Just because I am in the lane doesn't mean that I can do damage from that far away.

Shacos should generally avoid ganking from obvious locations or pretending they can do damage when they're behind. If you're behind as Shaco, you're useless. Focus on farming up gold and split push until you have the items to start really putting damage onto the squishy targets on the enemy team. Hurting them is OK, but if you die before they do, then you're not helping anyone.

NiyumiMay 16, 20161 votes

How do you handle tanks as Shaco? Do you build an LDR, or just kite them around? What do you do against heavy CC comps?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

How do you handle tanks as Shaco? Do you build an LDR, or just kite them around? What do you do against heavy CC comps?

I cry.

No, When I have to deal with a tank-heavy team, I look for ways to make myself deal actual damage while being able to survive the tanks hitting me back. I grab Black Clever, Guinsoo's, Blade of the Ruined King, Devourer, Titanic Hydra, and other items like that to beef up my defensive stats but allow me to shred tanks, since your clone procs on-hit effects which include % health damage.

Against CC-heavy teams, the trick is to get in, kill your target before they can react and lock you down, and if you die, you die.

There are safer ways to do this, however. For example, if you stealth in and use your ult, you'll stay stealthed. This allows you to move around while the enemy team blows their CC on your clone, which then dies in front of them and allows you to wreak havoc until their spells are up again. It also makes for a great engage for your team to follow up on. Your Deceive and Hallucinate are your friends here. Use Q to jump away from skillshot CC and your hallucinate to stop targeted CC right before they hit you. If all else fails, buy a Banshees and Merc treads or build a little tanky. CC teams can be scary, but you can work around them.

LuggMay 16, 20161 votes

Do you prefer AP or AD? If you use both, when do you use each of them?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Do you prefer AP or AD? If you use both, when do you use each of them?

I use AP when I'm in mid, support, or top lane when I'm against squishy opponents. I use AD when I'm top, or if I'm jungling. Sometimes AD mid works but it's really niche. They have to have no escapes and no hard CC.

AP jungling also works rather well if the enemy team doesn't have a strong early-game, because you don't deal much damage until Runic Echoes, unlike AD Shaco.

if I had a choice, I'd always play AP. It's just more fun and more tricky in my opinion, but I have no problem playing AD Shaco, he's a ton of fun as well.

SasogwaMay 16, 20161 votes

About vision in general : Do you think pink ward trinket should come back? Also do you think oracle's and sweeping lens should just show traps and not disable them?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

About vision in general : Do you think pink ward trinket should come back? Also do you think oracle's and sweeping lens should just show traps and not disable them?

I don't think the Pink Ward trinket should come back. There's enough diversity and stealth-granting vision as it is IMO, and I think oracle's and Sweeping lens shouldn't disable traps. It takes a lot of set-up and it's not fair to have an entire skill and all that time be removed simply because someone pressed their trinket button.

SasogwaMay 16, 20161 votes

{quoted}

I don't think the Pink Ward trinket should come back. There's enough diversity and stealth-granting vision as it is IMO, and I think oracle's and Sweeping lens shouldn't disable traps. It takes a lot of set-up and it's not fair to have an entire skill and all that time be removed simply because someone pressed their trinket button.

I personally find it really annoying not to have a way via trinkets to get true vision of someone, but it's not when facing Shaco, or Teemo for that matter, that I have this problem. It's mostly about Vayne and from time to time Kha'zix and Akali.

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

I personally find it really annoying not to have a way via trinkets to get true vision of someone, but it's not when facing Shaco, or Teemo for that matter, that I have this problem. It's mostly about Vayne and from time to time Kha'zix and Akali.

It can be annoying, yeah. It would be nice if Oracle's just revealed stealth properly. Bring that back, reduce its effective range, and keep pink ward trinket out of here.

SasogwaMay 16, 20161 votes

{quoted}

It can be annoying, yeah. It would be nice if Oracle's just revealed stealth properly. Bring that back, reduce its effective range, and keep pink ward trinket out of here.

I guess I'd be fine with that. Now about Shaco, do you sometimes use him in lane? If you do, what setup do you use, spell order (always max E or something else?)

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20162 votes

{quoted}

I guess I'd be fine with that. Now about Shaco, do you sometimes use him in lane? If you do, what setup do you use, spell order (always max E or something else?)

HERE'S THE VIDEO! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNxBo-d4RFY

ShadowParkerMay 16, 20161 votes

Do you take advantage of his passive? Both jungle and during teamfights?

Do you like his passive?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Do you take advantage of his passive? Both jungle and during teamfights?

Do you like his passive?

Always take advantage of the passive. To the point where I throw a box in front of monsters and then deceive behind them to make sure I can backstab from the get-go.

Speaking of, throwing shiv out from stealth and then hitting the monster doesn't give it time to react fast enough (while the trap is arming), so you get the bonus 20% on your E and your auto, whereas if you auto first and then E, the monster is already turned around before your cast time is done (it turns around again after it's feared, but still. Faster clearing is faster clearing).

I like the passive, I just wish it had more oomph to it or an indicator showing me where I have to hit to acquire the bonus passive damage. If anything, i would take the two-shiv poison slow and put it on his passive, but reduce the +% damage done.

Scaling two-shiv slow that he doesn't lose when he throws it would be great.

Maybe a 5/10/15/20/25% slow with scaling 3/6/9/12/15% (or flat 15%) bonus backstab damage or something.

It would be nice to test, at least.

BluePolarizerMay 16, 20161 votes

How do you live with yourself?

ChickenWrapMay 16, 20162 votes

{quoted}

How do you live with yourself?

I tell myself I'm doing it for the memes.

AstôlfoMay 17, 20161 votes

What's your favorite positions to play Shaco in? What do you consider core items? Any tips with jumping wards so that it's easier to catch people off-guard in a gank? I'm trying to learn Shaco atm and I find him challenging but very fun and rewarding.

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20162 votes

{quoted}

What's your favorite positions to play Shaco in? What do you consider core items? Any tips with jumping wards so that it's easier to catch people off-guard in a gank? I'm trying to learn Shaco atm and I find him challenging but very fun and rewarding.

Jungle or mid. Top is also fun. Hydra and Duskblade for AD Shaco, Protobelt and Echoes for AP Shaco Deceiving in from areas they don't ward is usually best. coming in from the lane or over a pit or a wall that's on your side of the jungle usually works best if you can reach them in time. He's definitely very challenging, but the most fun I've had playing this game involved Shaco.

My AD build is usually: item 1412 item 3074 item 3147 item 3087 item 3031 item 3009 I wish there was a way to work in Trinity Force. I suppose I could try replacing the boots. If I'm laning, I'll always replace Warrior with a Trinity rush.

My AP build is usually: item 1402 item 3152 item 3001 item 3165 item 3089 item 3020 I sometimes replace Nomicon or Abyssal with Lich Bane when it works best.

Jhin My SightsMay 17, 20161 votes

2 Questions:

Why should I get into Shaco? I am Silver 4 and haven't really gotten back into the grind yet, But what does Shaco present that other champs don't in carrying at my ELO?
Favorite skin?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20163 votes

{quoted}

2 Questions:

Why should I get into Shaco? I am Silver 4 and haven't really gotten back into the grind yet, But what does Shaco present that other champs don't in carrying at my ELO?

Favorite skin?

Shaco is very slippery and uses stealth to sneak into your opponents back line and cause distress all across the map. Shaco isn't a good pick unless you understand what you're doing with him, but once you've got him down, you can cause extreme chaos in the ELO you're sitting at right now. I wouldn't pick him if you don't have a tank, but if you need an assassin, Shaco is always my go-to.

Mad Hatter

Jhin My SightsMay 17, 20161 votes

Thanks man! I am thinking of buying him and learning him. He seems like a champ that is extremely fun when mastered and not dull like others can be.

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Thanks man! I am thinking of buying him and learning him. He seems like a champ that is extremely fun when mastered and not dull like others can be.

He's extremely rewarding to play well and he's the only reason I still play League of Legends! The only champion I have never become tired of.

xxxDogmanxxxMay 17, 20161 votes

Is Shaco Jhin's dad?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20162 votes

{quoted}

Is Shaco Jhin's dad?

https://gyazo.com/611f22042c66ae3c7482397d562f9e57.png

The only burgers I eat are chicken burgers, and they are delicious.

As for the edit about champions, yes. They're quite juicy. Needs a little less salt though, tbh.

Is Shaco Jhin's dad? Nah. Shaco isn't even from this world.

You gonna make any other edits I need to answer?

xxxDogmanxxxMay 17, 20161 votes

Hahaahahahahaha! I lied.

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20164 votes

{quoted}

Dammit, I was hoping you would answer one question, then I could troll you by changing the question. Grrrr... you win this time.

It's my job as a Shaco main to ruin all your fun.

A Basic IslandMay 17, 20161 votes

What enchant?

Tbh I've always favored no enchant on my demon clown.

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

[{quoted}](name=A Basic Island,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0016,timestamp=2016-05-17T06:39:58.277+0000)

What enchant?

Tbh I've always favored no enchant on my demon clown.

Warrior/Runeglaive, although if the enemy has a lot of tanks, I now go for Devourer, because of obvious reasons. The clone procs that on-hit % max health damage, you know.

As far as I'm concerned, it's not like I'll be selling my smite upgrade, so I may as well go for the entire thing. It's not that much gold, really.

A Basic IslandMay 17, 20161 votes

wait runeglaive wut...

i do it cus i like to get my tiamat asap. Do you build tiamat/a hydra?

Athenes LuluMay 17, 20161 votes

Favorite kinds of teammates to have with you?

Favorite/easiest kinds of targets to pick on?

Thoughts on a Lulu ulting your clone in favor of fooling the enemy team thinking that's the real one? Or even thoughts on Lulu support in general?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

[{quoted}](name=Cancerous Lulu,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0017,timestamp=2016-05-17T08:12:07.866+0000)

Favorite kinds of teammates to have with you?

The ones that work together to win the game! I personally most prefer the ones that understand how ganking works (if they should engage before I get there and bait them or if they should wait until I'm on top of their lane opponent before going in).

Favorite/easiest kinds of targets to pick on?

Anyone who doesn't have a dash is easy pickings. A few personal favourites to gank are Jinx, Nasus, and Ryze.

Thoughts on a Lulu ulting your clone in favor of fooling the enemy team thinking that's the real one? Or even thoughts on Lulu support in general?

It's great in theory, but if they've already seen me throw out some spells, that ult won't fool anyone, so generally it's not the best idea, but it does work in some situations.

I enjoy having Lulu supports on my team, but any time I have to fight against a Lulu, I get a little annoyed over how good her utility scaling is and how much damage she can actually do to me at the same time. If that wasn't bad enough, her E reveals stealth, so she's also a hard-counter to Shaco.

Athenes LuluMay 17, 20161 votes

{quoted}

The ones that work together to win the game! I personally most prefer the ones that understand how ganking works (if they should engage before I get there and bait them or if they should wait until I'm on top of their lane opponent before going in).

Talking team comps, though that's what most people would want as their teammates anyway.

What kind of team comp do you prefer having? Splitpush? The classic tank top, mage/assassin mid, and backline support teamfight kind of stuff? The modern DPS top, support/DPS mid, and tank support comp? Or "who cares, as long as I can get my job done that's the only thing I care about" kind of thing?

Is there a specific team comp that just makes playing Shaco kind of awkward? Like for example, splitpush comps makes playing Lulu support the most awkward thing to pull off, though that's just me.

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

[{quoted}](name=Cancerous Lulu,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=001700000000,timestamp=2016-05-17T09:03:24.978+0000)

Talking team comps, though that's what most people would want as their teammates anyway.

What kind of team comp do you prefer having? Splitpush? The classic tank top, mage/assassin mid, and backline support teamfight kind of stuff? The modern DPS top, support/DPS mid, and tank support comp? Or "who cares, as long as I can get my job done that's the only thing I care about" kind of thing?

Is there a specific team comp that just makes playing Shaco kind of awkward? Like for example, splitpush comps makes playing Lulu support the most awkward thing to pull off, though that's just me.

My ideal team comp is one that includes a tanky top lane with engage and a support with decent CC. I couldn't care less if our mid laner was AD or AP, as I play both AD and AP Shaco and can make up for a deficit of AP on our team if they pick a mid laner like Zed or Talon. I just know that I'm playing an assassin and it's my job to kill people, and I can't be expected to protect our squishy ADC, as I'm trying to kill their squishy ADC, and there's no way I can properly engage or disengage and have no real CC myself.

Team comps that make playing Shaco a pain in the butt? Yeah, ones with tons of true sight make playing Shaco a living nightmare. Otherwise, it's not so bad. I used to be afraid of comps that had a lot of tanks in them, but with the introduction of Bloodrazor, it's not so bad. Hydra, Bloodrazor, Rageblade, swifties, Deadman's, and Black Cleaver or a build somewhere along those lines deals with tanks well enough, and then I attempt to split push for most of the game, as i can take on those tanks that come up to deal with me with the help of my clone.

Athenes LuluMay 17, 20161 votes

Thoughts on tank/off-tank Shaco? Build path on that?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

[{quoted}](name=Cancerous Lulu,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=00170000000000000000,timestamp=2016-05-17T21:30:54.274+0000)

Thoughts on tank/off-tank Shaco? Build path on that?

Bloodrazor/Cinderhulk, Tiamat, Black Cleaver, Titanic Hydra, Deadman's, and whatever else you want, really. I like getting Gauntlet, personally, as well as Zz'Rot or something similar to that. I get Sunfire before Deadman's if I go Bloodrazor instead of Cinderhulk, though. You're not an assassin, but at least you're surviving and you can win fights against other tanks.

PDE5 InhibMay 17, 20161 votes

Why do you play OP champs?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes

[{quoted}](name=PDE5 Inhib,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=3jF3k95V,comment-id=0018,timestamp=2016-05-17T20:26:51.247+0000)

Why do you play OP champs?

I didn't know I was playing Zed o_o

DREADN0UGHTMay 17, 20161 votes

Who let the dogs out?

ChickenWrapMay 17, 20161 votes