Gragas vs Swain
Skill matchup
Build vs Swain
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Gragas: Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Rod of Ages, Seraph's Embrace, Oblivion Orb, Cosmic Drive.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Swain's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 20s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 20s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 3s | 19s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 3s | 18s | 12s | 2m |
| 16 | 3s | 16s | 11s | 2m |
| 18 | 3s | 16s | 10s | 2m |
Playing as Gragas
Tips to maximize your impact
- Let your barrel charge
Let Barrel Roll (Q) charge before detonating it: damage and slow grow the longer it sits on the ground, and if you don't recast it, it explodes on its own.
- Drink before you engage
Drink Drunken Rage (W) before engaging: drinking takes 1 second, then you take less damage and your next auto hits every nearby enemy.
- Charge through a clear path
Engage with Body Slam (E) through a path without minions: you stop on the first enemy you meet, and hitting reduces its cooldown.
- Send them toward your team
After Body Slam (E), cast Explosive Cask (R) behind your target: the blast knocks enemies away from the impact, sending them toward your team.
Playing against Swain
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge Nevermove on its return
Get out of the Nevermove (E) path as it comes back: it only roots on its return to Swain, then he can pull each rooted champion to him.
- Leave the area of his eye
Leave the area as soon as Vision of Empire (W) appears: it strikes and slows 1.5 seconds later, and each champion hit gives him a Soul Fragment.
- Keep your distance during his ult
During Demonic Ascension (R), back off and hit from range if you can: he only drains nearby enemies, and his form ends when he stops draining.
- Cut his healing during his ult
If you have Grievous Wounds, apply it during Demonic Ascension (R): the drain heals him every second, and that healing keeps him alive.
Other Gragas matchups
Patch 16.21.1