AP, unlike AD Shaco can be effective during all game phases.Frankly, AD usually can't fight in team fights. What he does is jump in, deal close to nothing damage and then tries to escape. Sure he's one of the best champs to bring down turrets but you're reading this guide to get kills ^^. This may be a dry text but if you can bear with me, it's information worth knowing.

There's one thing that seperates good shacos from bad ones. Firstly, you need to think differently while playing with shaco. Sure you might say you need to think differently with any champion you play...The thing is it's hard to put shaco in any category: assassin, support, range, tank or whatnot..He doesn't belong to any of those, but to be honest - assassin is the closest. While playing AP Shaco your team must know they can't count on you at any times! This gives some pressure to your team but your kill count will pay it off. It so happens that when you perform good in team other teammates starts following you around. Tell them not to if they dont want to become a feeding object. Don't ever jungle. If you're picking up kills you won't be set back in level if you're performing bad since the begining, let's say you're at 0/4/2 score means you're probably wont do any good till the end because no Mejai stacks and no money overall. Yes this is a sensitive guide and if you're off the line a little, you'll end up being a trash running around. The key to success is that around when you have your Sorc and Mejais you start placing jboxes at the routes you might get ganked or places you use to escape. Use shiv to to get enemies to low HP and force them to run where they normally wouldn't - to your jboxes. This ofcourse wont happen when you're laning. They'll just hide behind the turret. Use Q only to escape or finish off enemies with VERY low HP. After you get Sheen you can use it as secondary damage dealing skill. Ultimate mostly benefits agianst close combat champions when you're running out of HP. Having ghost benefits in escaping situation aswell as chasing down enemies and throwing shiv skill on them. At 8 stacks of mejais your damage really starts to shine. Dont expect it to be damage that can take half HP at first but remember the cooldown of shiv is very short and you can harrass champions all you want and escape whenever you please.

There's only one note on the items in the purchase list. If you're playing agianst heavy AD champions replace banshee's veil with thornmail and if things are still out of control get guardian anglel. The best thing about guardian angel that even if you're getting killed after you just Q'ed, while reviving by it you get your Q to cooldown and can use it agian to escape.

Shaco is a great damage dealer and a great survivor due to his skills. Knowing that as a fact, building it with mejais is the way to go. Keep the stacks always in mind and the damage will grow in your eyes. I've killed unprepared AD shaco with just 1 JBox at late game. You'll deal heavy damage with each shiv and have enough survivability just from one defensive equipment.

NOTE: This guide will be updated with icons and many more uncovered things will be noted. Try the build and comment it or atleast rate it!