[ALL MATCHUPS] Shaco Support Guide 1900LP+ Challenger This is the guide you need to understand Shaco Support

Intro

Hi guys I'm a multi seasons Challenger with my favorite pick AP Shaco on support.

Currently I'm 1900+ LP Challenger

Normally despite being very annoying and strong from mid to late game.

Shaco has a fatal flaw with no lane prior and very weak early lane pressure.

Most AP Shaco Players (like >90%) start the game with W and completely abandon the early laning phase.

But I have a different approach to laning.

Skill order

Q level 1

Into E max then W max

Having no damage and mana early on with boxes Jack In The Box start is the worst part about AP Shaco Support

Start the game with Q Deceive you can use it to trade by baiting an ability from the enemy support then counter attack with Q Deceive .Combine with Dark Havest you can become a real threat in laning phase.

We can push this pressure in laning further by putting 2 points into E Two-Shiv Poison on level 3.

After the laning phase you will have 2 options:

1.Max your E Two-Shiv Poison for high burst damage and use it to continuously poke by combining it with Q Deceive

Either you Q Deceive in and E Two-Shiv Poison or get in range to E Two-Shiv Poison then Q Deceive out

The range is decent and you can get away with doing this even with range champions because of the slow which E Two-Shiv Poison provides and having Q Deceive as an escape tool

Even if you get caught you can simply buffer the damage or cc from the enemy with your R Hallucinate

2.Put only 3 points into E Two-Shiv Poison then max out Boxes Jack In The Box

By doing this your E damage will be significantly lower but your cdr and damage on Boxes Jack In The Box will indeed be higher which is important as you are playing the role of a support so every single level counts.

I usually do this when the enemy team has too many tools for engage or when I do not have enough resources to deal damage to them so I just play my part as a control support.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Runes

Now for the rune pages

Dark Harvest is the core of this playstyle this rune alone can help you win laning phase without the downside of being useless later on like Hail of Blades .

Sudden impact and Cut down for early trade and burst damage.

Ultimate hunter and Legend: Haste to scale into late game.

Sixth Sense for vision control.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Build

Starters

World Atlas>Sapphire Crystal>Dark Seal

Crystal on first back is a MUST and the stats + snowball potential of Dark Seal Dark Seal makes it worth to pick up every single match.

Core Items

Luden's Echo>Ionian Boots of Lucidity>Liandry's Torment>Zaz'Zak's Realmspike

Full Build

Zaz'Zak's Realmspike>Ionian Boots of Lucidity>Luden's Echo>Liandry's Torment>Rabadon's Deathcap or Imperial Mandate (or rush Zhonya's Hourglass if too much burst)>Zhonya's Hourglass or situational items (Locket of the Iron Solari,Knight's Vow,Frozen Heart,Shurelya's Battlesong,Mikael's Blessing)

The main thing you will play around for most of the game is Luden's Echo and Zaz'Zak's Realmspike passive as it deals so much damage combining with E Two-Shiv Poison max.

Liandry Liandry's Torment is our tank killer item and the burn on squishy champ is no joke even without Torch Blackfire Torch

Rabadon Rabadon's Deathcap is perfect for snowball matches

With the recent changes to Imperial Mandate Imperial Mandate this item is really strong if you want an early Third item.

Since Imperial Mandate affects both W Jack In The Box and R Hallucinate giving these abilites 35 AH ,for now this is the item to go for until it is nerf.

Of course Zhonya's Hourglass is a must for high burst team so you can bait and poke without worries.

For the last item slot you can go anything really.

For examples Shurelya's Battlesong when your team has low mobility, Knight's Vow when you have enough damage but your carries lack defensive item, or simply Mikael's Blessing to keep your carry out of hard CC.In short, just build whatever suit your team.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mindset

1. You can win early trade.
2. You deal a lot of damage when you finish your first item Luden Luden's Echo.
3. You can become the carry.
4. If you can't carry then become a Poke and Control support for your team.
5. Delete the cat Yuumi.(Please...)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outro

I have revamped the guide to make it easier to understand and also added more Guide for Matchups

In my opinion, the standard build is really weak right now but it still work fine as long as you get to mid game with your Nesux intact.

Just try this build out and you will notice how different the pressure you can create and even snowball the whole game.

Tips for W and R

1. W Jack In The Box should be use to cover as much ground as possible (Keep it close to the wall to cover the path but not right next to it for max value).
2. W Jack In The Box > Hooks.
3. R Hallucinate is both a dash and a CC/Damage buffer consider using it as a way to bait and escape tough situations instead of going for the clone pull to deal damage.
4. R Hallucinate can get you over thin wall including Jarvan Jarvan IV R and Anivia Anivia W.

Good Luck AP Shaco enjoyers.

;)