Talk:Shen/@comment-94.139.16.240-20110917154422/@comment-68.4.164.111-20110918123044

I main with Shen a lot, but never played Taric. Taric though, seems to work more as support, since he can heal on a regular basis. Some don't think that Taric is a "tank" but he can be made as one if you just build him as one.

I think Shen works more like a "counter-Gank" tank. He's not the best to initiate team fights (though he could if the opportunity presents itself), but he is one who can counter initiations and troublesome enemies with his taunt. Shen can do damage, but he' s not a damage dealer. He's there to harass, put pressure, and counter the enemy line, as well as saving your teammates directly as well.

I personally would not go AP Shen at all, unless you have more than one tank on the team. Even with the buffed AP ratios, he still won't be doing much damage unless you get a nearly-dedicated build for him.

1St three items are good, as the Sunfires helps with damage and farming in addition to protection. I would then say get a Force of Nature and Warmogs next. Those should be the core build: boots with tenacity, armor, health, and MR (you can replace the sunfire with thornmail if you are going against lots of physical DPS). Your last two items then should be bought according to what you need. Against heavy physical DPS carries? Get the thornmail in addition to your initial Sunfires. Damn mages getting you down? Maybe a Banshee's. Just want more overall damage mitigation? Guardian Angels. I personally like to get a HT Gunblade for the varied stats, plus the lifesteal and spell vamp (which help your survivibility as well) and the active to slow. I would suggest just taking one or the other of the Ryalis or Frozen Mallet.,. but if you can fit them in, then get both. Also, if you want more AD damage, the Atma's Impaler is a cost effective item for AD and some crit %