Swain vs Darius

Swain
vs
43.9%

over 41 games

Darius

Hard matchup

Heavy AD damageHigh burstSplit pushSustained DPS

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Darius

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, Frozen Heart, Oblivion Orb, Tear of the Goddess.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

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

FlashHaste57%
FlashDot22%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Frozen Heart
Oblivion Orb
Tear of the Goddess
Seeker's Armguard
Fimbulwinter
Riftmaker
Rod of Ages
Bramble Vest
Dark Seal
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Randuin's Omen
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Darius's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Hemorrhage (P)

Darius' attacks and damaging abilities cause enemies to bleed for physical damage over 5 seconds, stacking up to 5 times. Darius enrages and gains massive Attack Damage when his target reaches max stacks.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s5s26s–
66.5s5s26s2m
94s5s26s2m
114s5s26s1m40
164s5s21s1m20
184s5s16s1m20

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 Darius

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Short trades

    Take a short trade, then back off: each of his hits applies a Hemorrhage (passive) stack, and at five stacks he gains a massive AD bonus.

  2. Leave his blade or hug him

    Step out of range or stick to him when he casts Decimate (Q): only the blade, at the edge, heals him and applies Hemorrhage (passive).

  3. Boots early

    Buy your boots early: before he hits level 6, Apprehend (E) is his only spell to get back on you, on a 26 to 16 second cooldown.

  4. Respect his level 6

    Once he hits level 6, don't let him put five Hemorrhage (passive) stacks on you: Noxian Guillotine (R) gains true damage with each stack.

Patch 16.21.1