Shen vs Illaoi Top Matchup

Shen Top wins 46.6% of 1,196 Low Elo games against Illaoi Top, -2.2 points vs expected, 2-patch window 26.19-26.20.

Researched on LoL patch 26.20. Tips are written to hold at any rank; stats come from Low Elo ranked games up to patch 26.20.

How to play as Shen

Use your early levels to take short trades, then only look for another trade when Illaoi misses Test of Spirit(E); do not extend into her tentacle setup.

If Illaoi lands Test of Spirit(E), use Spirit's Refuge(W) to block her Harsh Lesson(W) follow-up, then move out of the tentacle area.

Manage the wave before using Stand United(R) elsewhere; Illaoi can shove quickly while you are gone.

Spirit's Refuge(W) blocks Illaoi's Harsh Lesson(W) attack while she is damaging a pulled spirit, but it does not prevent every source of tentacle damage.

How to play as Illaoi

Respect Shen's level 1-2 trades. Once you reach level 3, look for Test of Spirit(E) after he spends Shadow Dash(E); punish a missed taunt with a short trade.

Sources

These notes come from r/Illaoi and r/Shen, checked against the champions' abilities.