So recently I've taken to learning shen because he's the thing I value #1 above all else, he's safe. (Tanky and a dash) That said I've got a large number of problems with him currently and a few questions.
Silents4292 votesEvenin gents, I main him in the jungle, so my advice might not apply fully to top lane, but will work to some degree.
- Full tank or Trinity force tank? If Trinity force when do you buy it?
Depends on matchup, same for any champion, if you are getting a lot of gold and happen to be dominating your lane build damage, if not then go for a tanky item first.
I also recommend you try out 
for other damage items as well. is like a budget item, if you need damage but aren't doing so hot. I only ever need 1 of these to dish out massive damage. Sometimes will be added along with only 1 of the others.
- Q Max followed by W? I feel like E is far stronger second due to the recent buff. Is this wrong?
W is maxed last, It's Q > E > R > W
You are not wrong for maxing E second.
If you meant combo wise, Q > E > W.
- What matchups should I never pick shen into?
- What runes and masteries do you use?
In the jungle I am 9/21/0 If I ever have to go top as him I go the same, making sure to take the block masteries.
http://www.lolking.net/summoner/na/38245683#masteries (Masteries number 4 for reference)
Top lane runes include a mix of attack speed, armor, scaling MR, or attack damage. Some people get hybrid pen marks, but I never really made use of them.
I personally take 30% attackspeed, Armor, scaling MR for jungling him.
Tip for top lane, E the enemy and lure him into your minions and fight, the minions will help you against him.
NotDevan1 votesI would also like to know. I always see enemy Shens do so well, but I can never do it.
Also, I have 3 skins for the champion...
Silents4291 votesI made a reply answering all of OP's questions.
AxlRose091 votesI just bought Shen, played one game with him and got my ass handed to me. I need some advice too, please.
Silents4292 votesRefer to my response to the OP
ModAcademy Kayn1 votesTri-Force Shen is extremely effective 0_0. I faced one last game, and he also started building Bork. He's really hard to kill, while dealing out quite a bit of damage to squishes if you taunt them.
AxlRose091 votesSo building TriForce first is a good idea?
ModAcademy Kayn1 votesIf you are confident in your Shen abilities, sure. I'd take a lot of time to get him down flat before anything else.
AxlRose091 votesIf not TriForce, what then? I've only played him a few times in ARAM and once in a normal game, so I'm not comfortable with him yet.
GundayMonday1 votes 
then situational tank items. Depends on the matchup like other people have said, but he like the attack speed and lifesteal from botrk, and sunfire helps him split push more effectively when his ult is up. He like health, AP, and attack speed for his abilities, so anything that gives you those while letting you build tanky is a plus.
Silents4291 votes
CIockw0rk1 votesJust simply NO! Shen is a TANK. Always a TANK You can add one dmg item, and for myself its really often a Botkr as 4th item.
Use Shen for the proper goal. Farm yourself out, and setup nice Ult then TP back... Don't go with a plan to kill your opponent. Harass him Q CONSTANT Q, try to not have to Q the minions. If you do, its only because you will miss the CS or you need to heal up (in the case that you want to heal up, btw Q then hit, it heals more than last hit Q). ALL your Qs should go to the laner and see if u can Ki Strike... Sometimes you can easily Ki strike he comes close to last hit a minion, then you can W AA again and safely walk back, he answers? bah, as long as you shield and the Q buff your fine, then walk back or E back. Just don't extend trade without a Ki strike ready or soon ready at first. Play pu$$y shen, poke, short trade get out. You can plan to kick him out of lane, but just don't plan to kill... Shen as no kill 1v1 potential; unless you lane vs an idiot. Wait a gank to kill, even tho its stupid to gank top (unless its a carry jungler who look to get fed), the jungler should focus elsewhere.
Vs AD rush Sunfire Cape, its just deadly item. You can push, ult someone then walk back without consequences. Vs AP rush Spirit Visage and you just outsustain anybody, you then can E-Q-Ki strike as you wish.
Vs AD, with low-sustain, have a page with CDR glyphs, and QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQ
Some matchup are just too hard, so focus on Q Last hit (Nautilus and Rumble its very hard for example)
Art Of Solo Q1 votesThis is probably the best advice for you. I cant find much wrong with what Lauzonized said. The only thing id like to point out is learn how to prep slow pushes. Basically as most shen mains know, mid to late game you split push when you have ult. So go to one of the side lanes, lets say top for this example. Prep a slow push, then recall and head to the other side lane (bot in this example). Dragon/Baron will usually decide which side you actually want to push past the river on. As in which is an objective at that time, simply because you don't want to make it easy for them to collapse on you and you want to force someone to answer your split push.
Things to keep in mind when picking shen, basically he does better vs top laners that want to group. If shen can split push better, or over time actually knock the other laner out, then shens a good pick. While champs that excel at dueling/splitpushing will have an advantage against shen. There are some exceptions, basically if shen can stall the duelist/splitpusher then shen is fine. Or even the other way if there is a team fighter that can handle shen. His match ups vary and you will just need to play him more often to learn when and when not to pick him.
5 Tips -
Dont feed. Poke or farm, you are not picking shen to win lane.
Pay attention to the map, map awareness and decision making are 2 of the biggest things needed in order to be a good shen player.
Ward. Ward. Ward. Oh and Ward.
Build for the match. Shen has plenty of items that he can make use of.
Mid/Late game, control the side waves. Make use of your global pressure.
Angelofchaos16x1 votesGood Day Summoner, and good luck out on the fields of justice
grLKQ9ma0o1 votesI don't really like triforce on him. Bork is probably better. He can't use several scalings on tri.
Thund3r Ang3l1 votesI don't really like triforce on him. Bork is probably better. He can't use several scalings on tri.
trinity is good because shen ki strike scale of health and his Q too. Ki strike come online faster because of attack speed . With his ki strike he can deal massive damage when sheen proc at the same time.... omg. And he become a chasing monster because of his taunt and the trinity passive. His W is a bit stronger too aswell of his ultimate. Trinity force is sooo god on shen. Trust me. I usually take trinity and bork and maybe wits end too ( If im not the tank )
Thund3r Ang3l1 votesDamn this is hard to built shen because there is so much good item on him. The only thing i suggest is always having (90% of the time ) sunfire cape because shen dont have any fuking waveclear ( For a reason a good trust me XD ) AND SHEN IS THE MAN TO GO AGAINST AN AD ENNEMY TEAM COMPOSITION!
As shen, always look your team composition and what they need. If you are the only tank, pretty basic, Sunfire cape, mercury boots (Ap heavy and CC heavy ) or Ninja tabi ( AD heavy ) Thornmail ( AD HEAVY ) Banshee veil ( AP HEAVY ) Spirit Visage is godlike on shen, Warmog is really good. Wits end Help shen to add some damage and speed up his split push potential While giving him some magic resist. Randuin is very good agaisnt ad attack speed. You can build 1 attack damage item on shen so you can be a treat to their squishies. If your team already have a tank, trinity force, BORK, Wits end, Rylai , statikk shiv abyssal scepter , are good damage items on shen. As a bruiser you need ATLEAST 2 damaging items.
