Swain vs Ekko
Build vs Ekko
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, Mercury's Treads, Liandry's Torment, Spirit Visage, Morellonomicon, Frozen Heart.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Ekko's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every third attack or damaging spell on the same target deals bonus magic damage, and grants Ekko a burst of speed if the target is a champion.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 9s | 22s | 9s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 22s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 9 | 7s | 20s | 9s | 1m50 |
| 11 | 7s | 18s | 9s | 1m20 |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 8s | 50s |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 7s | 50s |
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 Ekko
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Avoid his third hit
Take short trades: his third hit on you, auto or spell, triggers Z-Drive Resonance (passive), with bonus damage and a burst of speed.
- Leave his Q field
When Timewinder (Q) expands on you, leave the field: it slows you, and the device hits you again on its way back to him.
- Get out of his sphere
Leave the Parallel Convergence (W) sphere as soon as it appears: if he steps into it, it stuns every enemy inside.
- Aim where he'll reappear
When he's low, don't chase him blindly: Chronobreak (R) brings him back to where he was 4 seconds earlier and damages nearby enemies. Ready your spells on that spot.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1