Guide Sections (15)
- Champion Stats
- The First Trade Pattern
- Which Shyvana Skin to Use
- When They Ban Shyvana
- Optimal Runes for Shyvana
- Shyvana's Ability Priority
- Mastering Shyvana's Kit
- Shyvana's Lane Opponents
- Fight Everything Syndrome
- When Splitting Won't Work
- Flanking or Frontlining
- The Split Push Build
- Timing Shyvana's All-Ins
- The Limit Test That Worked
- Recent Patch History
Champion Stats
Low Elo players have zero concept of 'tempo'. While the enemy jungler is sitting in a bush waiting for a gank that will never happen, Shyvana has already cleared 24 minions and a Dragon. By the time they realize you're a threat, you are 3 levels and 2 items ahead. Her AP build exploits the lack of 'dodging' skills—low elo players stand still or move predictably, making them easy targets for your nuclear Dragon Fireballs.
The First Trade Pattern
The 'Full Power' Full Clear. You don't cheese kills; you cheese the map. Start E (Flame Breath). Ask for a leash, but you don't need one. Clear Raptors -> Red -> Krugs -> Wolves -> Blue -> Gromp -> Scuttle. You should finish this by 3:15-3:20. You will have a massive XP lead. If the enemy jungler tried to level 2 gank, you are now 2 levels ahead. That is the cheese.
Full clear fast. AP Shyvana takes Dark Harvest. AD takes PTA. Dragon form E is a nuke. Land it on the backline.
Which Shyvana Skin to Use
'Super Galaxy Shyvana' is the pay-to-win choice; the E sound effect is distinct and the animations are crisp. 'Ruined Shyvana' makes you look like a raid boss. 'Ice Drake' has the 'Cold' feel that makes your fireballs look like ice-nukes. 'Ironscale' is for the OGs who want a slimmer model for better kiting.
'Super Galaxy' for the loud noises. 'Ruined' for the dark-prestige. 'Ice Drake' for the beautiful ice-fire. Shyvana needs a rework, but her skins keep her in the game. Pick one and start the fire.
When They Ban Shyvana
Diana has the AP dive. Master Yi powerfarms. Udyr runs fast. Diana is the closest AP jungler with 'farm til 6 then kill' style.
Diana for AP jungle carry. Master Yi for on-hit carry. Karthus for farming. Diana dives better. Yi shreds better.
Optimal Runes for Shyvana
Dark Harvest is the only way to play for the 1v9. You need the scaling. Sudden Impact (Procs on R), Eyeball Collection, Treasure Hunter. Secondary: Sorcery (Absolute Focus + Gathering Storm). You are building a nuke; go all in on AP.
Shyvana's Ability Priority
Max E first. It is your entire champion. Max W second for the movement speed to stay in the game and farm. Q is an auto-reset; it only needs one point early.
Mastering Shyvana's Kit
Twin Bite. Strikes twice. In Dragon form, it strikes everyone in front of you. Great for stacking Nashor's and applying on-hits.
Burnout. AOE fire and Move Speed. Keep attacking to keep it up. Use it to traverse the map faster between camps.
Flame Breath. Human: Piercing skillshot. Dragon: Exploding Nuke. This is your primary damage. The explosion deals massive damage and leaves a DOT field. Aim at the feet of the carry.
Dragon's Descent. Lunges to a location, carrying enemies with her. Transform for 100 Fury. You only lose Form when Fury runs out. Hit things to stay a Dragon longer!
Shyvana's Lane Opponents
Hard Counter. He ults you, you become squishy, he becomes a god. Don't fight him, just out-run/out-farm him.
Easy (Low Elo). He will gank, fail, and you will be up 40 CS. Just don't let him kick you out of your R dash.
Dangerous. He can out-sustain you early. Wait for 6 and Nashors before you duel him.
Trundle steals your tank stats - don't fight him. Lee Sin early beats you, but you outscale heavily. Just farm safely.
Fight Everything Syndrome
Stop ganking in human form! You are a useless lizard without your R. If you don't have Fury, go back into your jungle and hit things until you do. Also, DO NOT miss your E in Dragon form. It has a massive cooldown in the early mid-game. If you miss, you lose 80% of your threat. Take your time, aim, then fire.
Don't fight without Fury. You're just a girl with gauntlets. In dragon form, you're a god. Farm the jungle, stack the Fury, and then unleash hell. Patience is the dragon's virtue. Wait for the moment.
When Splitting Won't Work
Dodge Trundle. He steals your bonus Armor/MR from Passive and uses it against you. Dodge Kindred. She invades you and her R counters your 'Go-in-and-burst' style.
Trundle melts towers faster than you. Kindred kites you. If you can't touch them, group and fireballs from range.
Dodge Trundle. Subjugate ruins you. Kindred kites you. You struggle against kiting. Pick something with CC.
Flanking or Frontlining
Wait for the clump. Do not be the first one in unless you are sure you can survive. Use R (Dragon's Descent) to reposition or dive the backline. Once in Dragon form, your E leaves a 'Scorched Earth' zone. Aim it at the carries. Stay at the edge of the fight, throwing fireballs. You are a 'Battlemage Assassin'—poke them down, then dive in to clean up with W speed.
In dragon form, your Q hits everyone in front of you. Combine with Ravenous Hydra (if AD) or Nashor's (if AP) for massive AOE damage. You're a machine of destruction. Don't stop hitting things. Fury is life. Be a beast.
The Split Push Build
The 'Death Recap Rainbow'. Nashor's Tooth -> Stormsurge -> Shadowflame -> Rabadon's Deathcap. Stormsurge procs with your E almost every time. You will see 1200+ magic damage in one hit. It is beautiful and tilting.
Nashor's and Riftmaker. You'll clear waves in 1 second and melt towers. If they send one person, you kill them. If they send three, you R away. You are the ultimate 'pressure' jungler. Take over the map. Burn it all.
Nashor's -> Rocketbelt -> Rabadon's. One E wipes the wave. One Q takes the tower. Run away with W. You are a dragon macro machine.
Timing Shyvana's All-Ins
Level 6 (Transformation). 100 Fury is your green light. Nashor's Tooth completion (Clear speed doubles). 20 Stacks of Dark Harvest (One-shot territory).
Transform at 100 fury. Use W to close gap. E for damage. Q for auto-reset. AP Shyvana is basically a mage in dragon form.
Level 6 Dragon Form. 100 Fury. Nashor's Spike. Don't fight without Dragon form. You are just a lady with a punching problem without it.
The Limit Test That Worked
Typing 'Rawr' in all-chat after deleting someone from fog of war. Taking every single Dragon. By the time you get Soul at 20 minutes, the enemy team will be flaming their jungler, even if they played 'well'. Shyvana's existence tilts the enemy jungle role.
Your R 'Dragon's Descent' is a gap-close and a knock-back. Use it to push the enemy into your team. Once in dragon form, your E is a nuke. You are a raid boss. Take the dragons, win the game.
Recent Patch History
Recent Balance Changes
| Patch | Date | Type | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| V14.20 | Oct 9, 2024 | ADJUST | W buffed, E nerfed, R nerfed |
| V14.15 | Jul 31, 2024 | ADJUST | E adjusted |
| V14.3 | Feb 7, 2024 | BUFF | Q buffed, W buffed |
| V13.16 | Aug 16, 2023 | NERF | W nerfed |
| V13.15 | Aug 2, 2023 | NERF | Base stats nerfed |
