Swain vs Caitlyn

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Caitlyn
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy pokeHigh burst

Build vs Caitlyn

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

Sapphire Crystal
Refillable Potion

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Rylai's Crystal Scepter
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Liandry's Torment
5

Summoner spells

ExhaustFlash50%
FlashTeleport50%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Sixth SenseSixth Sense
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Ability HasteHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Caitlyn's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Headshot (P)

Every few basic attacks, or against a target she has trapped or netted, Caitlyn will fire a headshot dealing bonus damage that scales with her critical strike chance. On trapped or netted targets, Caitlyn's Headshot attack range is doubled.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s0.5s16s–
68s0.5s16s1m30
96s0.5s16s1m30
116s0.5s16s1m30
166s0.5s12s1m30
186s0.5s8s1m30

Playing as Swain

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 Caitlyn

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Don't stay in her range

    Don't stay in her range for no reason: her autos reach 650, and every few autos, Headshot (passive) hits harder.

  2. Walk around her traps

    Walk around her traps: stepping on a Yordle Snap Trap (W) roots you, reveals you for 3 seconds and gives her a double-range Headshot (passive).

  3. Engage after her net

    If you can engage, wait for her 90 Caliber Net (E): it's her only way to hop backward, on a 16 to 8 second cooldown.

  4. Cover your wounded ally

    If a wounded ally is targeted by Ace in the Hole (R), step into the line of fire: any champion on your team can intercept the bullet.

Patch 16.21.1