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Spells:
Flash
Ignite
Ability Order
Ravenous Flock (PASSIVE)
Swain Passive Ability
Preface
Please do a few things for me...
// Read through it a bit, and see my reasoning behind my build and skill sequence.
// Play a custom game first! You know how annoying it is to have a first time champ on your team.
// Get a feel for the abilities, and when to use them.
// Have patience, you will not be MLG right away. Just give it some time.
// Last hit your creeps in lane, this will give you the edge on who wins and who doesn't (Unless your Support or Jungle!).

About


My thoughts on

// Swain is one of my favorite mages.
// Swain is completely unique.
// Swain can 5v1 a team if played properly.
// Swain is an underrated solo top.
// Swain should almost always get the first kill in lane.
Lore ::
The earliest account of Swain's existence comes from a Noxian infirmary doctor's notes. According to them, Swain limped into the ward without cry or complaint: his right leg was snapped in half, with bone protruding from the skin. A small, scowling bird seemed affixed to his shoulder. The doctor gawked in horror as the young adolescent answered questions about his health and age with a calm, even stare. Even behind the echoing crack as the sand counterweights reset his tibia, Swain’s measuring gaze never flickered, nor did his eyes twitch from the pop of his fibula. He refused the doctor’s recommendation of magical treatment for the leg’s inoperable damage, requesting only a spare crutch before shuffling away. He next surfaced in documents from the Noxian military, although it is evident that they are incomplete. Normally a crippled boy would be turned away in shame from Noxus’ proud legion, but the records indicate his first designation was that of a ranking officer.
The men who've served under him (and survived) have remained in his charge with unshakable faith and loyalty. He leapt through the High Command's hierarchy, often ascending when superiors requested demotions to join his unit. A cunning strategist, Swain was decorated after every battle he fought, regularly hobbling in contemplation at the front of the assault. His rise to power seemed unceasing until he was suddenly relegated to inactive status prior to the Ionian Invasion - a bewildering decision which reeked of bureaucratic subversion. If Swain was upset by the events which unfolded, he never belied it. His face was so implacable that it was popularly rumored to be a mask, disguising something utterly inhuman beneath. More controversy surrounded the bird that never left his shoulder, whose name he whispered only to it. When Demacia escalated its presence in the League, Swain was immediately returned to active duty.
"If you haven't yet lost the ability to ask, you may not yet ask for relief."
Terms Used ::
AA = Auto-attack [Basic Attacks]
AD = Attack Damage
AP = Ability Power
CC = Crowd Control [Stun, Fear, Slow, etc.]
Creeps = Team Spawned Minions
Fed = Having more kills than others.
MS = Movement Speed
MR = Magic Resistance
APent = Armor Penetration
MPent = Magic Penetration
CDR = Cooldown Reduction
OOM = Out of Mana
HP = Health
MP5 = Mana Regeneration per 5 seconds
HP5 = Health Regeneration per 5 seconds
aaaaaace |
Pros
+ > High Sustain + > Very good in lane, and teamfights + > Has a skill shot! + > Has insane spell vamp + > Has a toggle ult + > Has a snare |
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Cons
- > Has skill curve - > Can be shut down easily. - > Easily Focused - > Long Cooldowns - > Screwed if you can't hit abilities - > Needs farm |
Runes




Greater Quintessence of Ability Power: // Give you a nice chunk of early AP, this'll give you an edge in lane and probably result in you getting first blood.
Greater Mark of Magic Penetration: // These are awesome all game, they give you awesome magic penetration for when the enemies start building MR.
Greater Glyph of Scaling Ability Power: // Late game AP, this is basically like another ability tome in your inventory. It makes a big difference if you have it, and your opponents don't.
Greater Seal of Armor: // Ahhh Armor.. This one is a hard choice between these or greater seal of vitality, I feel the armors are better because they mean a lot more early game, and you get very tanky already with your Rod of the Ages and
Rylai's Crystal Scepter. The armors mitigate AA's from enemies and creeps.
//



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Swain is the only champ that I feel (as of now) that must run


"Why though?"
Simply because



Now the need for




(Note : Don't take anything other than these two, you will just be gimping yourself and

Core
Item Sequence







//


//

//



Starting Items
Item Sequence








//


//

For Defense
Item Sequence










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//



//


//


//


//



For Offense
Item Sequence









//


//



//






//





//




Restores mana for killing an enemy unit.This is why




A low damage, channeling slow. This slows for incredible ammounts late game, but is still very strong in the early levels. It allows


Tips :
// Use this to guarantee you hitting your

// Use this to slow an enemy ganker!
// Use this to slow an escaping enemy.

A skill shot, AoE snare. Without a doubt this is what makes

Tips :
// Throw out in front of an escaping enemy, most of the time they won't react quickly enough.
// Use this to harass in lane from far away.
// Use this to snare gankers and run away.

A short range DoT debuff. This is your main form of harass in lane, it has good ratios and pretty high base damage and it's the most reliable. It also increases damage dealt by



Tips :
// Use this to harass in lane! Whenever they get close just throw it on them and AA.
// Use this then a


AoE toggle that damages 3 surrounding enemies,


Tips :
// Get blue, and keep this on at all times in a teamfight. You can't turn it back on for 10 seconds!
// Use this to farm minions quickly.
// Use this to restore health in lane.
// Don't untoggle if your sure you won't need to toggle in the next 10 seconds.









(Note : By AT LEAST one Sight ward every time you go back, 75 gold for being ungankable? Yes please.)
Your Goals :
// Outfarm opponent
// Score first blood
// Snowball your lane
// Don't push tower
// Ward your lane constantly
// Get blue

If after your core items you...
Need Sustain? Get a

Need Tankiness? Get a

Need Damage? Get a

Need Utility? Get a

Need Burst? Get a

(Note : Don't ever turn your ult off in a teamfight if you don't have to. It's a 10 second cooldown D=)
Your Goals :
// Get Dragon
// Get Baron
// Win teamfights
// Establish Map Control (WARD!)
// Don't Die
// Round out your build



Your Goals :
// Prepare for final fight
// Stick together
// Maintain Map Control
// Dominate Baron / Dragon
// Win Final Fight
// Win Game

2.) Get to your lane
3.) Whenever your E is off cooldown throw it on the enemy.
4.) Farm
5.) Farm
6.) When you hit level 6. Q the Enemy. W the Enemy. E the Enemy. Ult the enemy. Ignite the enemy. Kill the enemy.
7.) Win lane
8.) Build a



9.) Use all abilities and ignite on enemy carries in teamfights.
10.) Use Zhonyas Active when focused.
11.) Win Game
12.) Profit

Please tell me what you think of it in the comments, rate it, and give me some pointers.
Shout out to JhoiJhoi for the awesome guides, and formatting.
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