This is my first champion guide so dont be rough on me. Im not saying that this is the best build you can find, but for me only this one feels right.

I think there is not too much to talk about. I only pick HP quints because thats all i have, magic pen/flat AP quints are good too, perhaps better i dont know^^. The rest is pretty ordinary caster runes.

Again, typical caster masteries. A lot of pepole build him tank (x/21/x), but i dont really like it. No scientific explanations here. I found utility tree more useful.

I tried to maximize dps while maintain a decent survivability. With this build i had enough magic ress. and armor even in late game. If you are in need of one of them (Mr/armor i mean) then just buy the parts.


For example:

Panteon jumping around and get some kills? Buy chain vest.

Karthus spaming his "push to kill" (R) and getting fed ? buy negatron cloak.

At first glance you could think that he is squisy without any hp items (rylai,RoA), but if u pop ur ult with these mr/armor items they cant nuke you as fast as you heal yourself. But if they are super fed i cant guarantee that.

About Rylai, a lot of ppl choose this item, but i dont feel the need of it. You have a slow and a snare, u dont need that extra slow, in my opinion.

Ignite is pretty good for swain it suits his playstyle. With this you have 3 DOTs and raven form. Very good combination to melt someone.

I use Ghost. Why? You have to run fast in order to land "good" nevermores. You have to run faster to place it right before them.

Early game your nevermore gives you and your lane partner a good chance to get kills (and your ignite). Try to land as many lasthits as u can. If they harass too hard then try to fight from the bushes. Use your nevermore-torment-laserbird combo if they come too close or getting overly agressive. After lvl 6 you can farm pretty fast with nevermore+ravenous flock combo.

Swain is very good at ganking so try to organise ganks.
To be honest im not an agressive type. Usually i try to extend the laning period as much as i can. Level advantage is very useful in my opinion (more useful than item advantage).

Mid game:
Keep farming, defending turrets, farm, organise ganks, farm get buffs, farm, farm, farm. Of course you cant farm all the time, if your team needs you, you have to help them.

Lategame:
try to stick to your team, get buffs all the time. Push lanes(farm).

Team fights:

Try to catch enemy dps champions with your nevermore. Put all of ur dots on them, pop ravenous flock and run around until your coldowns are over. If your teammate has low hp and trying to get out of the battle just make sure he can, use your nevemore or Decrepify. Sometimes it is vital, who can survive a team fight then push, if you score an ace. With your nevermore you can stop a whole team if you are lucky. If they try to retreat, dont let them. Use nevermore and finish the job.

If they focus on you:

Hmm.. It is pretty hard to avoid. If they find you dangerous and focus on you, you have to options:

- you can use it to your advantage, and try to catch them with nevermore and Decrepify, while runing around in raven form (kite). While they doing so your teammates can kill them off if they are not too tanky.

- Wait in a bush and try to join the fight when it is already begun. It can cause confusion. A lot of pepole playing like a bull. If they chose their pray they are not satisfied until they see them dead. If you join late on, they wont target you. (It is just a psychological trick, but sometimes it works). Of course im not trying to make fun of others, sometimes i do the same. "Oh that f*king teemo!!! YOU GONNA PAY FOR THOSE SHROOMS!". Only few champions can make me angry for example: Teemo, Zilean, Karthus(R), Eve ect...

Try to keep in mind which enemy player has ignite. Ignite is hard counter against you. If you see ignite or heal debuff on yourself, be EXTRA careful!!!

I hope you find this build useful. My main objective was to show that Swain is a viable champion and he is fun to play.

If u have any question, objection, or constructive idea just tell me.

Sorry for my poor english.