Curious about AP bruiser Shen.

Sorgklaan·May 29, 2015·1 votes·621 views

I was just thinking, and wanted some input. Shen is generally built as a full tank, which is what he is good at. But why is his AP scaling so high? At first glance, it seems like he should be able to build a lot like a diana, with AP and health.

Any particular reason why people build him so differently from how his kit seems to be designed? Like yeah, he has has a taunt, but to me that doesn't mean he should be considered to be nothing but a tank.

Just curious as to why he isn't isn't built more like a Diana, with AP and health. Or like a sejuani, with and with tank items.

Thanks.

8 Comments

SEKAIMay 29, 20154 votes

He was meant to be a dueling bruiser.

People just play him as a tank.

SorgklaanMay 29, 20151 votes

I was arguing with a friend, and he didn't agree at all. But my point was that if a champion was meant to be played one way, and people play him a completely different way, maybe something should be changed a bit.

So yeah, it's weird.

SEKAIMay 29, 20151 votes

{quoted}

I was arguing with a friend, and he didn't agree at all. But my point was that if a champion was meant to be played one way, and people play him a completely different way, maybe something should be changed a bit.

So yeah, it's weird.

Yer you have seen Yi and Sion where their gimmick used to be way better than their intended style. And that calls for reworks.

However in the case of Shen, he is still a pretty good duelist, not many people can lane against him while expecting to have a good day. So I wouldn't say a rework is necessary, but some tweaks here and there to strengthen his intended role would be nice.

LilxPaprikaMay 29, 20152 votes

its okay. with the mr per level now and the upcomming abyssal. assuming these changes will make it over to live. you could invest in a bit more cdr glyphs or even ap per level glyphs.

i'd suggest getting abyssal. another good form of tanky ap item is item 3060 . being able to reduce cooldown on kistrike faster with feint up makes getting some ap handy. Although when you get ap on shen its typically for what it offers your ult. even zhonias isn't half bad item 3157 as a defensive ap item. but now you're starting to branch out a bit. a good zhonia active can sometimes protect from more damage than some bigger defensive items.

if you want damage get magicpen items item 3151 (especially if enemy stacks hp) item 3001 . he has strong base dmg on q and kistrike if your stacking hp. if you want to help team with ult get the bigger ap items like item 3116 item 3157

this item on its own is good too item 3191 cost effective. if you think you can end the game before having to complete it.

SorgklaanMay 29, 20151 votes

Assuming the new Abyssal changes hit live, I'm definitely trying it.

khorneyMay 29, 20152 votes

Your better off going ad. Get sunfire botrk tri force.

Hard4HamstersMay 29, 20151 votes

I sometimes play Shen as an AP duelist/assassin.

Core items: item 3285 item 3100 item 3146 and then item 3089 item 3135 item 3157 item 3115 item 3001 . Boots are whatever you want really, but you can go without them for the most part as you have 12% MS in core items and you can get more with runes and masteries, or you could pick up item 3023 to get 6% more. Really you'll still want boots for practical purpose but you can go for item 3158 item 3020 item 3111 item 3047 item 3009 any of these as they all work well in different situations.

The idea behind this build is to let your items do the damage for you. Luden's gives 100 + .15AP magic damage, Lichbane is 75%base AD (88.5@18) + .5AP, and Hextech deals 150 + .4AP damage on the active. In total you get 338.5 + 1.05AP damage in a matter of a second if done correctly. Simply unload all of shen's offense. 220 + .6, 190 + .5, 338.5 + 1.05 = 748.5 + 2.15AP (not to mention his Ki Strike) magic damage. Just with the items you have 280AP meaning that the AP scaling would give you an extra 602 magic damage for a grand total of 1350 magic damage dealt (before resistances). You can see how this can get scary when Shen has some more AP. The great thing is that Shen would then use his W to absorb damage with .6 AP scaling as well and can stay fighting long enough to use his Q to proc his lichbane again. With Shen's Q heal, Lifesteal, and Spell Vamp, he can 1 v 1 almost any squishy. But the most hilarious thing to do is Ult an Ally and give them a 2k health shield late game. It's so satisfying.

Edit: item 3116 can be pretty good on him, but I wouldn't recommend item 3151 even if you get Rylai's. Shen doesn't have a DOT ability so I don't see him using Liandry's very effectively.

NemeBroMay 29, 20151 votes

I usually play Shen as a tanky sustained magic damage duelist.

Sunfire cape + Wit's End + Thornmail + Ki Strike + Vorpal Blade = a lot of magic damage over time against AD duelists. No joke, I've dueled Udyr and Jax with these items built. Add a spirit visage for MR and to increase your healing from Vorpal Blade, go with whatever boots would be best (I usually go Merc Treads), and something like Warmog's for your sixth item. Fun build.

I haven't tried AP Bruiser Shen, but a lot of people say it's viable, so try it out.