Shaco's one of my go-to guys when I figure I just want to relax and have a fun game, because he is very effective when not countered and simply a blast to play. There's a reason he was one of my mains on SR, and that's because of the mindgames he can play on the enemy team when played well. I've had success with both AD and AP Shaco, my win rate is about equal with both. They perform different roles and need to be played very differently, but are both equally viable imo, since he's almost as hard to catch as Kassadin is, maybe harder if you take into account that all 4 of his abilities can be used to distract/disjoint in some way.

So my question was, what builds have you guys found effective for him, for either playstyle? My builds for both hasn't really changed since I started playing him; the builds I first imagined being effective remain so today. If anyone's curious, they're:

AD - Boots, Prospector's, Mobility Boots, Brutalizer, Vamp Scepter, Ghostblade/Infinity Edge depending on farm, Adapt

AP - Ionian Boots, Morello's Tome, Lichbane, Deathcap, Adapt

Just wanted to see what other builds Shaco players find effective (Guinsoo + Gunblade Hybrid Shaco sucks, by the way).


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If you're going AP, Deathfire is much better than Morello. Just placing boxes and throwing shivs isn't enough: the active actually gives you decent burst. As for AD, it's all mix and match.

I find Mobility to be the most useless boots for Shaco because: 1.) When the fight rolls around you are stuck at 2 move speed without any other benefits from the other boots, and 2.) The time it takes to get the speed bonus back makes it not worth it because you are supposed to be jumping in and out of fights.

Triforce is a great item for AD Shaco because it gives him all the movespeed he needs and makes Deceive/Two Shiv+backstab combo very deadly. I find that a squishy Shaco is not that helpful because all you can do is stay in the fight for a few seconds max while their bruiser/tank just ignores you. It's all down to playstyle and preference really, but I always get Shaco some survivability by the third completed item.

My AD builds would go something like: Mercs/Zerks, Triforce, IE, Youmou's, then depending on their team: Sanguine, Frozen Mallet, Sunfire, Wits End, Black Cleaver, or Odyns Veil.

For AP depending on team I get: Ionian/Sorc, Deathfire, Rabadon, Rylai, Lichbane, then whatever to counter the enemy team with: Abyssal, Void, or Hourglass.

Like I've said it's all down to preference and what your style of play is, but I've found the items I listed as the most effective for myself.



I don't like to play straight AD or AP Shaco, I always play Activateable Item Shaco. Deathfire+Gunblade actives as first two items gives you decent auto damage, good ap, cdr, lifesteal, spell vamp, and lastly but most importantly two damage actives on top of Two Shiv for amazing burst.

^ If you play Shaco as a back capper and stacking boxes all around the map, sure go for mobility. I usually get Triforce/Lichbane by my fourth item so having over 420 movespeed is good enough for me. All I'm saying is *every* game where the Shaco on my team gets mobility we've lost. If you want to take them sure, knock yourself out but I personally think they're trash.

What really sold mobility for me for AD Shaco is that you keep the movespeed bonus when you deceive. A large part of AD shaco is positioning behind a squishy's back so your initial crit takes out a large chunk of their HP. I haven't achieved similar results with any of the other booties.

I also disagree with you saying AP Shaco is less effective than AD, it's just a lot harder to play, and a lot harder to see the impact he's having on the game. Gradually wearing down the enemy team with boxes and shivs is a lot easier to miss than AD shaco critting a squishy for half their HP. I generally find that's why I get blamed for our team's loss a lot more if I'm AP rather than AD, even if my performance is about the same.

AD.

Playing AP Shaco is basically a 4v5 past the 5 minute mark. Everyone builds merc treads, one or two MR items and your threat goes to 0.

I prefer my clowns with lots of swords and blades, not nerdy books and wands.