This is a quick reference guide right now just so players can adapt to the new Swain.

I will add more, particularly notes on matchups but I am still figuring out how the new kit fares. There are plenty of good swain guides on here already related to the pros and cons of swain, again, this guide will focus on the difference with the new kit.

Overall

- 6.10 Makes Swain more balanced, and a late game nightmare - getting behind early is very easy, but he scales well late and can take over games. Playing cautious early on pays big dividends, but the kit makes it easy to make mistakes.


Huge changes to laning phase.
- Swain is now a power clearer early on with way more poke power
- Continue to play cautious! Lane clearing is a double edged sword as all of swains old liabilities are still there. Pre-6 he is easily ganked, has no escape and no heal and w requires good timing.

Rod of Ages and Zhonyas - Still the "must rush" items for swain. They allow you to make full use of your kit.

RoA gives swain the ability to use his kit early and often; and obviously the time delayed nature of the item means early is better.

Zhonyas+ult allows you to survive fights where he will otherwise be quickly snuffed out, this losing his massive damage over time potential (plus the heals continue!). Like I said in the quick description, Zhonyas may be a smart first item if youre (1) dealing with an active ganker, (2) facing AD, particularly if there is poke, or (3) have a group dynamic that involves early grouping.