Shaco Review

Released on October 10, 2009, Shaco, the Demon Jester, is a mischievous and powerful champion that has kept players entertained and on their toes for years. He’s part of the Assassin class and excels in the Jungle and Support positions. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the world of Shaco, exploring his lore, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, recommended items, ideal lanes, champion picks, and counter-picks. We’ll also take a look at his current price in 2023, along with some valuable insights and tips from experienced players.

Shaco is not your ordinary champion; he’s cool, cunning, and a whole lot of fun to play. If you’re ready to embrace the chaos and master the art of surprise, read on to discover all you need to know about Shaco, the embodiment of mischief in League of Legends.

Lore

Crafted long ago as a plaything for a lonely prince, the enchanted marionette Shaco now delights in murder and mayhem. Corrupted by dark magic and the loss of his beloved charge, the once-kind puppet finds pleasure only in the misery of the poor souls he torments. He uses toys and simple tricks to deadly effect, finding the results of his bloody “games” hilarious—and for those who hear a dark chuckle in the dead of night, the Demon Jester may have marked them as his next plaything.

Shaco is an insane individual, committing atrocities just because he feels like it. He delights in others’ pain and often finds what he does funny. There is no real motive to his crimes, although it is possible that he only does these things to entertain himself.

Champion Abilities

Passive – Backstab: Shaco’s basic attacks and Two-Shiv Poison deal additional damage when striking from behind.

Q – Deceive: Shaco becomes invisible and teleports to a target location. His first attack while invisible is empowered, dealing bonus damage and critically striking if he attacks from behind.

W – Jack in the Box: Shaco creates a hidden animated Jack-in-the-Box. When triggered, it will fear and attack nearby enemies.

E – Two-Shiv Poison: Shaco’s Shivs passively poison targets on hit, slowing their move speed. He can throw his Shivs to deal damage and poison the target. The thrown Shiv deals bonus damage if the target is below 30% health.

R – Hallucinate: Shaco creates an illusion of himself near him, which can attack nearby enemies (deals reduced damage to turrets). Upon death, it explodes, spawning three mini Jack in the Boxes and dealing damage to nearby enemies.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Champion

Pros

Strong pre-6 ganks.
One of the best counter-junglers out there.
Excellent for soloing Drake and Herald.
One of the most fun champs to play with.
Incredibly slippery and annoying.
The embodiment of psychological warfare on the rift.
You can easily strike fear into the hearts of your opponents with Coulrophobia.

Cons

Weak early ganks if you’re not used to them.
Hard to play. Extremely hard to master.
You MUST stay focused and calm to play him effectively.
Be prepared for occasional flame for picking him.
Squishy champ – handle with care.
Struggles against Guardian Angel users and champions who can reveal you, like Twisted Fate.

Best Items for Champion

Scorchclaw Pup: A must-have for junglers. It offers better experience, farm, and sustain. Plus, finishing off low-health enemies is always a blast.

Health Potion: This little guy has saved me countless times. It provides sustain and helps you recover after a successful gank or during an early duel.

Eclipse: I love it for the mobility, damage, and shield it provides. Ideal for maneuvering around fights and counter-jungling.

Blade of the Ruined King: This item synergizes perfectly with Shaco. Its 3-hit-burst effect complements Hail of Blades and adds serious damage to your one-shot combo. Combine it with Eclipse, Prowler’s Claw, or Duskblade, and you’ll be a 1v1 monster.

Essence Reaver: A blessing for Crit-Shaco players in season 13. With plenty of AD, haste, and MP, it pairs well with other items and runes. It’s a great choice for those going the crit route, but not recommended for lethality builds.

Best Lanes and Roles for Champion

Jungle is where Shaco shines the brightest, followed closely by support. Mid lane can be incredibly fun, even if you might lose early priority for your team. Your mid-to-late-game objective control can make up for it. Support Shaco can be strong but situational, especially when facing champions like Senna or Lulu. Top lane is a viable option too.

Champion Picks and Counter Picks

Now, let’s talk about Shaco’s strengths and weaknesses in lane. Shaco excels against champions like Wukong and Poppy, making them a true nightmare in lane. However, he struggles against the likes of Ivern and Talon, so it’s best to avoid facing them if you want a smooth game.

Price of this Champion in 2023

In 2023, Shaco will set you back 3150 Blue Essence or 790 Riot Points. A reasonable price for a champion with the potential to bring chaos and hilarity to your games.

My Feedback

Is Shaco a strong choice? Absolutely, but mastering him takes practice. Shaco has evolved over the seasons, and while he might not be the best assassin, his kit is tailor-made for tilting enemies and striking when they least expect it. His precise playstyle means one mistake can cost you, so focus and master his kit for the best experience.

Best Guide for Shaco in 2023

For those looking to dive deep into Shaco’s gameplay, I recommend checking out this comprehensive guide for 2023: Shaco Guide.

Best Skins for this Champion

Shaco offers a range of skins, but here’s the scoop:

Asylum Shaco: It’s a bit lacking in creativity and is a tad overpriced for what it offers at 975 RP. The dagger design and green shade on the ult clone are its only highlights.
Workshop Shaco: This one’s similar to Asylum Shaco, offering minimal changes and turning Shaco dark-green. It’s also priced at 975 RP, which feels a bit steep.
Royal Shaco: At 520 RP, it’s a more reasonably priced option. The bright purple may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the splash art exudes a cool vibe.
Masked Shaco: A fairly average skin, neither cheap nor rare. It features a clean character model design and eye-catching dagger details. The mask on the splash art could use a bit more detail, though.
Mad Hatter Shaco: Standing out with its top hat, it’s a budget-friendly choice at 520 RP. The color palette complements Shaco’s design well, making it a great option for the cost-conscious.
Nutcracko: A fun and slightly terrifying holiday-themed skin with a top hat, giving it a unique charm. It’s collectible as one of the few legacy skins for the champion.
Wild Card Shaco: A great value skin that enhances Shaco’s jester horror theme. The design of the daggers and unique W ability make it a top choice, even though Shaco’s animations could use an update.
Dark Star Shaco: Thematically a bit random, but it excels in character design and animations. It features cool blues and purples and an impressive backing animation. However, the ult clone design is somewhat distracting.
Arcanist Shaco: An improvement over Asylum Shaco, with better detailing and animations. It’s a step up for Shaco enthusiasts.
Crime City Nightmare Shaco: This skin is a visual overhaul that fans have been waiting for. It transforms Shaco into a terrifying demon with voice filters, a sinister backing animation, and a visually impressive character model design. This skin truly revamps Shaco’s look and takes the top spot.

Champion’s Tricks and Interesting Facts

Shaco might be referencing the Harlequin Crest from Diablo.
He might have drawn inspiration from Kefka Palazzo from Final Fantasy VI, from his appearance to his “manic killer clown” persona.
The name “Shaco” is an anagram for the word ‘chaos,’ fitting for a champion who loves to sow confusion.
There was once a rework concept that turned Shaco into a projectile, and hitting a Wind Wall in this form would remove him from the game.

Shaco is the embodiment of chaos, and mastering him can lead to some truly memorable moments on the Rift. So go ahead, embrace your inner jester, and let the games begin!

FAQ

Who is Shaco in League of Legends and what are his abilities?

Shaco is a mischievous champion known as the Demon Jester in League of Legends. His abilities include Backstab, Deceive, Jack in the Box, Two-Shiv Poison, and Hallucinate. He excels in the Jungle and Support positions.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing Shaco?

Pros of playing Shaco include strong pre-6 ganks, counter-jungling abilities, and being fun to play. However, he can be challenging to master, and he is squishy, making him susceptible to damage.

What are the best items for Shaco in 2023?

Recommended items for Shaco include Scorchclaw Pup for junglers, Eclipse for mobility and damage, Blade of the Ruined King for one-shot potential, and Essence Reaver for crit builds. The choice of items depends on your playstyle.

Where is the best lane and role to play Shaco?

Shaco shines in the Jungle, but he can also be played as a Support. He can work in the Mid and Top lanes but has specific strengths and weaknesses in those roles. The best lane depends on your preferences and team composition.

How much does Shaco cost in 2023, and what are the best skins for him?

Shaco costs 3150 Blue Essence or 790 Riot Points in 2023. The best skins for Shaco include Crime City Nightmare Shaco, Wild Card Shaco, and Dark Star Shaco, each offering unique visual enhancements for the champion.