In order to play Shyvana successfully, you can't simply play the dragon, you must become the dragon.

Okay this sounds silly. And it probably doesn't make a lot of sense. But believe it or not, this is actually serious advice for playing Shyvana.

Shyvana may have a relatively easy kit to use, but understanding her applications and where her real power comes from is no simple task.

Shyvana's ability to teamfight is generally pretty weak. She is tanky, but isn't particularly unkillable. She deals quite a bit of damage, but typically can't compete with traditional assassins and AP's/AD's .

Where Shyvana shines is in her abilty to apply multiple forms of pressure in and out of teamfights. We will go into detail for what those methods are later in this guide, but for now understand

Typically Shyvana wants to start Red. This is will allow her to clear camps more confidently, and because she doesn't have mana, blue is mostly used for the CDR and to keep it out of the hands of the enemy jungler.

After securing red buff, grabbing chickens is a good idea. Because Shyvana has lifesteal from Hunters Machete, and the ability to deal AOE damage level 1, she can clear chickens more easily than other junglers at level 2.

From chickens, you can rotate to Blue or Blueside camps depending on how the game is progressing for your laners. Before you back, consider securing vision around dragon either through warding or by securing scuttler. At level 3, Shyvana can solo dragon, and because of your passive, making a move on Dragon as early as possible is a great way to get you and your team ahead.

Shyvana needs a few things to really get going. First of all, she needs some damage. First back it is typically a good idea to pick up red smite and starting boots. This will allow Shyvana to clear camps and move around the map to start thinking about ganks.

After securing these two items, depending on whteher your laners are being pressured heavily or not, you can buy either a Greatsword or a Dagger respectively.

You do not need to finish your jungling item early. Instead rushing relevant boots is the best choice. Choosing boots is simple - if their team has strong CC or lots of AP, Mercury treads are typically the best choice. Against AD, tabbi are a good choice, and if you're unsure or are focusing heavily on farming, Ionian boots are always a solid option to help you rotate camps faster.

Around level 3 or 4 and after first back you have a decision to make - secure dragon or gank?

There are a few factors to consider when making this decision. Typically, top isn't the best place to gank early for Shyvana. This is because she can get out tanked early, and failing a toplane gank can mean a fed toplaner which can make the climb up late game significantly more difficult for your team.

Bottom is always an option, especially if the enemy team is pushed far up and threatening your dragon. The risk of a bottom lane gank is that it requires the coordination of 2 other people, and this is always a gamble in solo queue games.

Mid is typically the best bet as you have multiple escape routes, and if you have properly secured vision around the lane (preferably with control wards) you can easily solo kill a pre-6 midlane squishy.

If your team is pressuring well, and a gank either seems too risky, or the enemy laners are too far pushed in, the soloing dragon is your best bet. Although having help early levels is certainly nice, shyvana's bonus damage to dragons means she can easily secure an early dragon on her own. After doing this, ganking is recommeneded, especially if you secured a Fire Drake.