EUPiLoL#15 - AP Shaco in Dominion

I'm aware that AP Shaco isn't necessarily unorthodox, but I wanted to do a post about him, so deal with it. I'd like to say that I'm extremely well versed in Shaco. He was my favorite character to play back when Sunfire Shaco was around, and I am one of the (unfortunately few) players who can actually jungle with him without dying in the first minute. I have always liked AP Shaco,  but he and his play style have some pretty huge flaws that stopped him from dominating summoner's rift.

- Lacked any sort of farming capabilities whilst simultaneously being item dependent

- Required that he spend long periods of time getting no experience

- Pitiful early game

- Assassination focused on a team fight oriented map.

As you can see, every single one of these issues is rectified in Dominion, and on top of that, the directions that players can go are simplified (seeing as there are only so many routes you can take through The Crystal Scar's jungle). Because of this, on top of his amazing ability to not only defend cap points, but also assassinate people in the way that can truly invoke fear within your enemies, as well as annoy the living piss out of them. I know I usually jump into items after my introduction, but I would like to discuss the role of AP Shaco.

His role is, simply put, to annoy the living shit out of your enemies. To truly utilize the psychological torment that Shaco is capable of, you must enter the mindset of a sociopath that is both psychopathic and slippery. In my opinion, AP Shaco requires the most cunning out of every other champion in the game. I can't possibly get into every little thing that will make you into a good Shaco because it would consist of thousands of words and probably at least forty images.. Instead, I will give you the tools necessary to become a sociopath yourself.

Strengths

Amazing ganking potential
Can easily defend top on his own (Unless 3-5 people bum rush it, in which case your team can just pick up two cap points to compensate)
1v1 Potential
Can escape most situations
Can trick people with his clone
Can beat any character 1v1 in the right circumstances
Health / speed buff control
Map control
Extremely high burst potential
Can deceive over many obstacles
Can use JITB to stall approaching enemies whilst you cap a point
Split-Capping capabilities

High end base movement speed

Can use his ultimate to dodge spells

Snowballs very well

High skill cap

Weaknesses

Due to the complexity of his kit, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and lose your cool

Difficult to learn, Difficult to master

Reliant on JITB for damage

Lacks the blatant offensive capabilities of AD Shaco due to said JITB reliance

Very squishy

If you don't have micromanagement skills, his ultimate can go to waste

Deceive loses potency due to lack of AD
Hextech Sweeper will ruin your life.
The classic deceive + Hit + JITB + Shiv might not always work if they are smart enough to AoE your box away (With characters like xin zhao or renekton)

 

Itemizing

Starting Items

When going AP Shaco, you have three basic choices that I see as viable..

Fiendish Codex - This item offers the best offensive capabilities while giving up speed entirely. You will be forced to use ghost if you want to make it top quickly enough to be of any use. This is the choice that I prefer.

Prospector's Ring + Boots of Speed - This is what I would suggest that new AP Shaco players go. It offers you some survivability, some AP, some mana regen, and enough speed so you aren't slow as fuck. 

Boots of Mobility - I wouldn't suggest this unless you are forced to cap your mid turret for your team.

Core (In that order)

Boots of Mobility -  Mobility is key, and for Shaco, this is no exception. No brainer.

Deathfire Grasp - This is the another no brainer. The active adds a layer of potency to your burst potential and CDR is extremely important on Shaco.

Rabadon's Deathcap - I've seen some players opt for the evil tome before Deathcap, but I feel like rushing the deathcap truly makes you a force to be reckoned with. In this case, CDR can wait it's turn behind pure, unadulterated damage.

Morello's Evil Tome - We get Morello's so you can finish up your CDR while still maintaining a steady AP flow

Lich Bane - Lich Bane is the cherry on top of all of your damaging capabilities. The magic resistance is nice, and the mobility is useful in Dominion. Get it.

Luxury Items

Here are a couple of different luxury choices you can get and why you might want to get them. 

Zhonya's Hourglass  - The highest possible AP increase other than Deathcap. The active is also nice, and the armor doesn't go unnoticed if you need it. I usually get this item if I don't find myself particularly needing anything, or if I need a bit of armor

Rylai's Crystal Scepter - Personally, I don't much care for this item on Shaco, but it is a good item for giving yourself general survivability without sacrificing your AP flow. 

Abyssal Scepter - MR is a great item if you need some magic resistance and don't want to sacrifice your AP

Force of Nature - If you are in serious need of magic resistance.

Guardian Angel / Thornmail - Two extreme choices if you are in need of survivability. 

Priscilla's Blessing - If you find yourself side capping a lot.

Spells

I've settled upon Exhaust/Ghost for my personal repertoire. Exhaust is very potent in Dominion, and ghost is simply mandatory. Garrison, flash, and ignite can all be useful, I just simply find Exhaust/Ghost to be the best possible combination for me.

Masteries

No brainer. 9/0/21

Runes

I find myself using Pure AP runes or magic penetration runes. CDR isn't very useful because you end up maxing it out anyway. 

Skilling Order

This is another no brainer. One level in each of your skills at level 3, and then Jack in the box > Shiv > Deceive

General Tips 

- Placing 3-5 JITB at choke points can usually land you a kill if you keep an eye on it and remain close enough to deceive+DFG+Shiv.

- Going for one of the mid turrets and placing 3-5 JITB  at the health shrines south of them can usually land you a kill

- Try to keep minions off of the cap points that you have boxed up. They are the bane of your boxes

- Rather than going back, try to utilize health shrines as much as possible. If you are consistent about it, you'd be surprised at how little you need to go back.

- Once you have lichbane, deceive becomes all the more useful.

- Remember that your shiv does 20% bonus damage from behind

- You can try to place multiple JITB at the entrance of your enemies' spawn point if you want to stall them. I've landed a kill a couple times in doing it and it can prove very annoying to your enemies.

- When running away, place your JITB in front of you rather than behind you so it has time to charge up and whoever is chasing you doesn't simply kill it / run past it

- Remember to use your clone. The nuke that it has can prove very effective.

- Deceive -> Hit once -> JITB -> Shiv or Exhaust -> Exhaust or Shiv is your optimal combo. You want to keep them slowed long enough for the JITB to proc and fear them.

- Placing JITB(s) on speed / health shrines can yield useful results.