Play Video Play Video Hello again! This time I would like to show you my "Swain build". Its truly The Noxian Grand General build because it feels like "solid build" for solo lane pressure [works fine early/mid/late game] and it works great in team fights as well through whole game. Now lets talk a little bit about Runes here... as the Swain is "dark mage" in my opinion. For playing this champion you gonna be looking for ability runes first: SORCERY: Summon Aery - this rune is very reliable as you want constantly poke with your auto attacks whenever its possible this little extra damage its always nice option / Manaflow Band - you gonna need this for that extra "mana" / "mana recovery" which gonna allow you to put more pressure in the lane as the Swain is ability dependable and mana can drain really quickly, try to precise your ability shots less/not missing is important, try to make that perfect/clean shots every minute or half / Absolute Focus I decide to try this rune and indeed overall my idea how to play Swain early game work with this rune just fine, as you looking for that extra pressure and lane dominance on the field in early game especially this rune along with 2 previous will allow you to have really strong presence in the lane in other words building confidence and lane control creates stronger image of you champion through out the game / Scorch - like Summon Aery and Absolute focus this rune for extra damage helps in control / early game pressure / Secondary Runes: "Iron Skin or Mirror Shell" - one of this depending on who is top and jungle if you see 2 ad champions iron skin if you see 2 magic champions then Mirror Shell if you see mix then conditioning is gonna be your best choice by try to stick with IronS or MirrorS because you looking for that early game dominance so some tank for survivability is required here / Second Wind Swain survivability is based on health regeneration / health draining [his ult main purpose is recovery] Second Wind will allow you to stay longer in lane.

ITEMS:
ROD OF AGES - your looking for that extra flexibility, with this item many different attributes is boosted. im looking at this as a nice "support item"
Sorcerer's Shoes - need some magic penetration for tanks
Rylai's Crystal Scepter - you want to have strong approach and control on your enemies this item is a must as you looking for some kiting in fights
Liandry's Torment - more penetration for tanks / extra health
Void Stuff - Swain feels like slow and hard to escape in some situations so more magic penetration and ability power is never bad idea for this champion

and the last item in this buid is gonna be my prototype approach :D :
Hextech Gunblade - as you want to spam your abilities, especially "Q" as much as you can this item "can" increase your survivability / increase your range control by slowing down enemy apply extra damage lot of benefits here [need to test more / just a concept]
[UPDATE: Banshe Veil - very good defensive item, increase cooldowns, increase survivability, this is another great option for you.

Rabadon's Deathcap - Swain is based on abilities and each ability have special magic damage "+AP% bonus effect" so this item as the last one is not bad choice at all as you look for more "damage output"