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Swain
Battlemage · magic (AP) damage
Builds from patch 26.20 · 175K high-elo games
44.6%Win rate
0.8%Pick rate
3KGames
BTier · Support
HIGHEST WIN-RATE BUILD
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.
STARTING
World Atlas400 gold
Health PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 goldBest opening
BOOTS
Sorcerer's Shoes12 Magic Penetration
45 Move Speed1100 gold · 800 to combineMost common
CORE
Bloodsong200 Health
75% Base Health Regen
75% Base Mana Regen
9 Gold Per 10 Seconds
Spellblade
After using an Ability, your next Attack deals bonus physical damage On-Hit. If the target is a champion, they take increased damage for 4 seconds.Active (4 charges)
Places an Invisible Stealth Ward that grants vision.400 gold→
Rylai's Crystal Scepter65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.2600 gold · 450 to combineBuild every game
ITEM 3
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine47.1% WR526 games
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine48.8% WR496 gamesWhat players go
ITEM 4
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine50.7% WR294 games · small sampleLiandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine50.5% WR210 games · small sample
Spirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.2700 gold · 650 to combine58.4% WR161 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 5
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine39.1% WR64 games · small sampleSpirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.2700 gold · 650 to combine38.9% WR36 games · small sampleWhat players go
Conqueror keystone
Precision
Press the Attack
Lethal Tempo
Fleet Footwork
Conqueror
Absorb Life
Triumph
Presence of Mind
Legend: Alacrity
Legend: Haste
Legend: Bloodline
Coup de Grace
Cut Down
Last Stand
Resolve
Grasp of the Undying
Aftershock
Guardian
Demolish
Font of Life
Shield Bash
Conditioning
Second Wind
Bone Plating
Overgrowth
Revitalize
Unflinching
SUMMONER SPELLS
SKILL PRIORITY
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.Q→
Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.W44.6% WR52% of games
SKILL PATH leveling order
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.QDeath's Hand3
4
5
7
9
Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.WVision of Empire2
8
10
12
13
Nevermove (E)Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.ENevermove1
14
15
17
18
Demonic Ascension (R)Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.RDemonic Ascension6
11
16
Based on 2,941 games · 44.6% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.400 goldHealth PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 goldBest opening
BOOTS
Plated Steelcaps25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.1200 gold · 600 to combineMost common
CORE
Malignance90 Ability Power
600 Mana
15 Ability Haste
Scorn
Gain 20 Ultimate Ability Haste.
Hatefog
Damaging a champion with your Ultimate burns the ground beneath them for 3s, dealing magic damage per second and reducing their Magic Resist.2700 gold · 650 to combine→Rylai's Crystal Scepter65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.2600 gold · 450 to combineBuild every game
ITEM 3
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine52.6% WR359 gamesZhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine51.0% WR249 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 4
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine54.3% WR821 gamesLiandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine57.1% WR364 gamesWhat players go
ITEM 5
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine55.8% WR267 games · small sampleLiandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine51.0% WR243 games · small sampleSpirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.2700 gold · 650 to combine52.1% WR73 games · small sampleWhat players go
Conqueror keystone
PrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast Stand
Sorcery
Summon Aery
Arcane Comet
Stormraider's Surge
Deathfire Touch
Axiom Arcanist
Manaflow Band
Nimbus Cloak
Transcendence
Celerity
Absolute Focus
Scorch
Waterwalking
Gathering StormSUMMONER SPELLS
SKILL PRIORITY
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.Q→Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.W52.0% WR59% of games
SKILL PATH leveling order
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.QDeath's Hand2
4
5
7
9
Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.WVision of Empire3
8
10
12
13
Nevermove (E)Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.ENevermove1
14
15
17
18
Demonic Ascension (R)Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.RDemonic Ascension6
11
16
Based on 2,800 games · 52.0% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.400 goldHealth PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 goldBest opening
BOOTS
Mercury's Treads20 Magic Resist
45 Move Speed
30% Tenacity1250 gold · 550 to combineMost common
CORE
Blackfire Torch80 Ability Power
600 Mana
20 Ability Haste
Baleful Blaze
Damaging Abilities deals bonus magic damage for 3 seconds.
Blackfire
For each enemy champion, epic and large monster affected by your Baleful Blaze, gain 4% Ability Power.2800 gold · 700 to combine→Rylai's Crystal Scepter65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.2600 gold · 450 to combineBuild every game
ITEM 3
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine50.7% WR306 gamesZhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine50.0% WR66 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 4
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine63.6% WR387 gamesLiandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine55.4% WR175 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 5
Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combine51.3% WR78 games · small sampleLiandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine64.4% WR59 games · small sampleSpirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.2700 gold · 650 to combine70.6% WR51 games · small sampleWhat players go
Summon Aery keystone
SorcerySummon AeryArcane CometStormraider's SurgeDeathfire TouchAxiom ArcanistManaflow BandNimbus CloakTranscendenceCelerityAbsolute FocusScorchWaterwalkingGathering StormResolveGrasp of the UndyingAftershockGuardianDemolishFont of LifeShield BashConditioningSecond WindBone PlatingOvergrowthRevitalizeUnflinchingSUMMONER SPELLS
SKILL PRIORITY
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.Q→Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.W53.4% WR59% of games
SKILL PATH leveling order
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.QDeath's Hand4
5
7
9
Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.WVision of Empire3
8
10
12
13
Nevermove (E)Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.ENevermove1
2
14
15
17
18
Demonic Ascension (R)Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.RDemonic Ascension6
11
16
Based on 1,625 games · 53.4% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.
BUILD PATH · win rate by item
Later items show higher win rates partly because games that last that long are usually already being won. Compare items within a slot, not across slots.
STARTING
Doran's Ring18 Ability Power
90 Health
Drain
Restore 1 Mana every second, increased to 2 Mana per second for 5 seconds after dealing damage to an enemy champion. If you can't gain Mana, heal for 45% of this value instead.
Helping Hand
Attacks deal 5 bonus physical damage to minions.400 goldHealth PotionConsume
Restores 120 Health over 15 seconds.50 goldBest opening
BOOTS
Plated Steelcaps25 Armor
45 Move Speed
Plating
Reduces incoming damage from Attacks by 10%.1200 gold · 600 to combineMost common
CORE
Rylai's Crystal Scepter65 Ability Power
400 Health
Rimefrost
Damaging Abilities Slow enemies by 30% for 1 second.2600 gold · 450 to combine→Zhonya's Hourglass105 Ability Power
50 Armor
Time Stop
Enter Stasis for 2.5 seconds.3250 gold · 450 to combineBuild every game
ITEM 3
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine46.5% WR269 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 4
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine56.2% WR130 games · small sampleWhat players go
ITEM 5
Liandry's Torment60 Ability Power
300 Health
Torment
Damaging Abilities burn enemies for 2% max Health magic damage per second for 3 seconds.
Suffering
For each second in combat with enemy champions, deal 2% bonus damage, up to 6%.3000 gold · 800 to combine78.4% WR37 games · small sampleSpirit Visage400 Health
50 Magic Resist
10 Ability Haste
100% Base Health Regen
Boundless Vitality
Heals and Shields on you are increased by 25%.2700 gold · 650 to combine32.3% WR31 games · small sampleWhat players go
Conqueror keystone
PrecisionPress the AttackLethal TempoFleet FootworkConquerorAbsorb LifeTriumphPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityLegend: HasteLegend: BloodlineCoup de GraceCut DownLast StandResolveGrasp of the UndyingAftershockGuardianDemolishFont of LifeShield BashConditioningSecond WindBone PlatingOvergrowthRevitalizeUnflinchingSUMMONER SPELLS
SKILL PRIORITY
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.Q→Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.W48.1% WR45% of games
SKILL PATH leveling order
Death's Hand (Q)Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.QDeath's Hand1
4
5
7
9
Vision of Empire (W)Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.WVision of Empire3
8
10
12
13
18
Nevermove (E)Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.ENevermove2
14
15
17
Demonic Ascension (R)Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.RDemonic Ascension6
11
16
Based on 1,419 games · 48.1% win rate · High elo · patch 26.20.
ABILITIES
PassiveRavenous Flock
Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.
QDeath's Hand
Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.
WVision of Empire
Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.
ENevermove
Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.
RDemonic Ascension
Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.
PLAYING ASSwain
- If you're having trouble rooting an enemy with Nevermove, try throwing it at opponents when they are near their minions so the explosion surprises them.
- While laning, try to use Death's Hand's piercing damage to damage opponents from a safe distance.
- Vision of Empire is quite difficult to land on its own, look for skirmishes around the map where enemies may be distracted or crowd controlled so you can land it more easily.
- Demonic Ascension may make Swain very hard to kill but he's pretty easy to get away from. Try building items that can slow opponents to keep them in range if their mobility is overwhelming.
PLAYING AGAINSTSwain
- Swain's passive is very potent if you are immobilized. Make sure to be extra careful around enemies who have immobilizing effects.
- High mobility counters all of Swain's basic abilities: Death's Hand does more damage the closer he is, Vision of Empire has a very long delay and Nevermove must start returning back to him to be dangerous.
- Buying an item with Grievous Wounds will make Swain much easier to kill during his Demonic Ascension.
CROWD CONTROL
Roottenacity helpsFROME NevermoveSlowignores tenacityFROMW Vision of EmpireR Demonic Ascension
E NevermoveSlowignores tenacityFROMW Vision of EmpireR Demonic AscensionTheir hard CC is tenacity-reducible, so Mercury's Treads and tenacity items shorten their lockdown.
Tap or hover a crowd-control type to see which ability it comes from.
