Swain vs Braum
Build vs Braum
The champion's reference build, for lack of enough games in this matchup
Recommended items for Swain: Blackfire Torch, Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Zhonya's Hourglass, Plated Steelcaps, Liandry's Torment, Spirit Visage, Morellonomicon, Frozen Heart.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Braum's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Braum's basic attacks apply Concussive Blows. Once the first stack is applied, ally basic attacks also stack Concussive Blows. Upon reaching 4 stacks, the target is stunned and takes magic damage. For the next few seconds they cannot receive new stacks, but take bonus magic damage from Braum's attacks.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 12s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 7s | 12s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 9 | 6s | 11s | 16s | 2m10 |
| 11 | 6s | 10s | 16s | 1m55 |
| 16 | 6s | 8s | 12s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 6s | 8s | 8s | 1m40 |
Playing as Swain
Tips to maximize your impact
- Aim Nevermove past your target
Cast Nevermove (E) past your target: it only roots on the way back, as it returns to you. Then recast it to pull rooted champions to you.
- Poke through the wave
Poke with Death's Hand (Q) even behind minions: its bolts pierce enemies, and its cooldown drops from 7 to 3 seconds.
- Collect Soul Fragments
Hit champions with Vision of Empire (W) and pull them with Nevermove (E): each Ravenous Flock (passive) Soul Fragment heals you and raises your max health.
- Stay close during your ult
During Demonic Ascension (R), stay close to enemy champions: the drain extends your form, and a takedown refills your Demonic Energy.
- Support distant fights with your eye
Cast Vision of Empire (W) on a fight breaking out elsewhere: its range is 5500 to 7500, and a busy or rooted enemy struggles to dodge the hit 1.5 seconds later.
Playing against Braum
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Back off before the 4th stack
Back off when you have Concussive Blows (passive) stacks on you: his allies' autos add stacks too, and the 4th stuns you.
- Isolate him from his allies
Catch him when he's far from his allies: Stand Behind Me (W) only leaps to an ally, minions included, and without one nearby he has no dash.
- Don't shoot into his shield
Don't shoot into Unbreakable (E): it intercepts your projectiles. Go around it, use AoE spells, or wait for him to lower his shield.
- Stay out of his fissure's line
Don't line up with your allies in front of him when he has Glacial Fissure (R): it hits every enemy along its line and around him with a knock-up.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1