So Zed or Shen?

DamnationForAll·Jul 9, 2015·7 votes·5,686 views

So I've been thinking about the Shen v Zed rivalry, and I was wondering who you guys think will win. I want to say Shen, just because the good guys almost always win, but idk. What do you guys think?

41 Comments

RiotRiot ShadowStormJul 9, 201517 votes

Zed "None escape their shadow."

UncIe ZedJul 9, 20151 votes

The unseen legendary zed skin is the deadliest ( not kidding xD).

A Superb VillainJul 9, 20151 votes

But does that statement carry a deeper meaning? Zed is, after all, using forbidden techniques. Is he acknowledging his own damnation even whilst taunting Shen?

SharjoJul 9, 20156 votes

TahmKench "Child, a shadow must run from the light eventually."

A Superb VillainJul 10, 20151 votes

{quoted}

"Child, a shadow must run from the light eventually."

Fixed!

SharjoJul 10, 20152 votes

I made this comment literally two hours before they added his icon XD

A Superb VillainJul 10, 20151 votes

Lady Luck is a fickle mistress.

sp441Jul 10, 20152 votes

Shen "fuk u bich ima ninja"

EtherealSerenityJul 10, 20151 votes

NOPE I KILLED YOUR FATHER Zed

sp441Jul 10, 20151 votes

Shen "No Zed... YOU ARE MY FATHER!"

DamnationForAllJul 10, 20151 votes

Why are Riot Employees so Ominous....

AMYS GRAVEJul 14, 20152 votes

Picking Shen would be... "A demonstration of superior judgement." because when it comes to other ninjas, "I find them unworthy." In reality, "There is no dispute."

PanwarJul 9, 20157 votes

We don't really know who Shen is anymore.

Before Zed was the Eye of Twilight. He was the leader of the Kinkou, who was noted for his complete emotionlessness regarding tactical decisions. This was put to the test by torturing and killing Shen's father in front of him, while he did not react.

With Zed's lore, it was said that Zed killed Shen's father(also Shen and Zed's former master and former leader of the kinkou). Zed also already defeated Shen with his forbbiden lore, and all evidence shows he's only gotten stronger from that point.

So I would say Zed barring further information regarding Shen's current status in the lore.

PanwarJul 9, 20157 votes

Also it's important to note that Zed isn't necessarily the total bad guy, and Shen isn't necessarily the absolute good guy. The Kinkou is an order based upon upholding their idea of balance, and they employ assassin's to that end. While they may do works of good, they also are killers who put people to death to uphold their own ideological view.

And Zed while being focused on power and obviously a killer, also seems to be somewhat of an egalitarian and one who believes in the chasing of knowledge as opposed to the hoarding and banning of it. Also he comes to his hate of the Kinkou pretty honestly considering he was treated pretty unfairly by them.

arc95Jul 9, 20152 votes

Zed doesn't kill Shen's father in the lore he just kills the Master.

PanwarJul 9, 20152 votes

"An orphan, Zed was taken in and trained by a great ninja master. Only one other student appeared to be Zed's equal - the master's son, Shen."

arc95Jul 9, 20151 votes

that doesn't say anything about Shen's father... all it says is Zed's father died and that Shen and Zed were equals

however, "the assembled ninjas heard Zed cry out in pain. Mysteriously, he emerged unscathed, and threw the severed head of the master at Shen's feet."

PanwarJul 9, 20151 votes

I'll break the sentence down for ya.

Zed was taken in by a great ninja master. Only 1 of the master's students was Zed's equal. That 1 student was the master's son who was named Shen.

Also later his bio says:

"Now armed with a secret edge, he challenged Shen, and this time he defeated the master's son."

Shen was the ninja master's son in Zed's bio.

arc95Jul 9, 20151 votes

Oh shit im an idiot I didnt catch that but besides the point Shen's father still only dies in one way... in Shen's lore it only says that his father was tortured not tortured and killed...you can have one without the other... in terms of lore Shen's father only dies from the hand of Zed

"As his final trial to ascend to this position, he was made to attend the Takanu, a ceremony in which his father was tortured before his eyes to test his resolve. Any reaction whatsoever would have resulted in his immediate disqualification, but he never averted his gaze and never blinked, not once."

thats why i missed that part in Zed's lore i just assumed he died from the torture

The SoulforgedJul 10, 20152 votes

Not killed, simply tortured.

arc95Jul 10, 20151 votes

ya just some torture no big deal XD

ArcticSiriusJul 10, 20151 votes

Torture is a way to obtain information or derive a sick sense of humour/pleasure. To have the subject die during torture would bare no fruit. It's simply be a cruel and unusual murder

PanwarJul 10, 20151 votes

Yah, I guess you are correct. Though I feel this needs a lot of cleaning up.

I really think they need to redo Shen's lore to have it all be coherent.

Also(and this is off-topic). But I've always been afraid that what Riot had planned was that the Ninja master was secretly evil and had groomed Zed as a physical replacement for his own failing body, and that what happened in the temple was that the ninja master had basically possessed Zed's body(hence the cry of pain but no injuries) and then proceeded to rule openly as evil leaving his old identity(and now decapitated body) behind.

I think Zed is a compelling character and would feel kinda ripped of if this was the case.

arc95Jul 10, 20151 votes

ya it definitely needs some refinement... just look at it this way we're obviously both big fans of the Shen/Zed/Kinkou Order lore and it took us an entire thread just to figure out what happened to the Master/Shen's Father

NeameanJul 10, 20151 votes

If they do clean up his lore i hope the keep the aspect of the Eye of Twilight were he watch and analyze everything without emotion which coincide with his ability to endure because that what translate into his gamplay, they ever watchful eye who must have awareness this is his ult and the enduring aspect is what make him a tank.

DamnationForAllJul 10, 20151 votes

these don't necessarily have to happen at the same time though. We do know that zed went missing for a long time, he gathered followers before he returned, so we can assume that this took place during the time that zed was gone.

NemeBroJul 10, 20151 votes

{quoted}

that doesn't say anything about Shen's father... all it says is Zed's father died and that Shen and Zed were equals

however, "the assembled ninjas heard Zed cry out in pain. Mysteriously, he emerged unscathed, and threw the severed head of the master at Shen's feet."

Zed "Challenge me, Shen... you shall not be an orphan long!"

A Superb VillainJul 9, 20157 votes

Technically, Zed already won when he dismantled the Kinkou.

ExecutorDillJul 9, 20152 votes

Shen needs a bit of work!

g07h4xf00Jul 14, 20152 votes

Shen builds item 3075 and has a taunt so...

Dextix LTJul 9, 20151 votes

Shen But im definetly not biased since hes one of my favorite champs, nope.

arc95Jul 9, 20151 votes

Zed vs Shen in pure ability I would say Zed...but then again Shen as a warrior has legendary resolve and decision making with no emotion involved what so ever where Zed is much more hate/emotionally driven... so i think Shen could have the advantage in the fact that every move and attack he make in a battle would be perfectly thought out where Zed could end up making bad decisions and beating himself by letting his decision be ran by emotion and his want to defeat Shen... and also Shen shines in scenarios where he is at a disadvantage like its said(kinda) in Zeds lore "That day, the old ninja order fell. Though many students died, some escaped thanks to Shen's heroic efforts."

also Shen doesn't fight alone he works with Akali Kennen ... and in that situation Zed would stand no chance even with his followers

gaby1bestJul 12, 20151 votes

If we're talking late season 4 Akali , then Zed stands no chance.

CriomhthannJul 9, 20151 votes

Neither. A victory of either party is largely incompatible with Riot's method of story telling.

The SoulforgedJul 10, 20152 votes

Riot? Story? Telling? What are you smoking boy!

CasterGilgameshJul 9, 20151 votes

Zed should win since he's just that badass

BeatzBoyFTWJul 10, 20151 votes

Of course Zed. For Shen, unless he's Goku who always shared powers from others to defeat the impossible lol.

DamnationForAllJul 10, 20151 votes

I did not think I was gonna get this many replies..... @_@

DamnationForAllJul 10, 20151 votes

But it seems the majority of us think Zed would win. (he's cooler)

A Bare MagicianJul 11, 20151 votes

My vote is on shen. I always thought of him as the complete bad ass ninja that zed wouldn't be able to kill. Or pretty much anyone for that matter lol