Swain vs Galio

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Galio
Strong engageHeavy AP damageHeavy CCVery tanky

Build vs Galio

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, Bloodletter's Curse, Frozen Heart, Liandry's Torment, Spirit Visage.

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
Bloodletter's Curse
5

Summoner spells

FlashDot43%
ExhaustFlash29%

Other options

Bloodletter's Curse
Frozen Heart
Liandry's Torment
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

Galio's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Colossal Smash (P)

Every few seconds, Galio's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage in an area.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
311s18s11s–
69s18s11s3m
97s17s11s3m
117s16s11s2m40
167s14s9s2m20
187s14s7s2m20

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 Galio

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Trade after his E

    Take a trade after Justice Punch (E): it's his only dash, on an 11 to 7 second cooldown.

  2. Lean on physical damage

    If you deal physical damage, lean on it in trades: the passive shield of Shield of Durand (W) only absorbs magic damage.

  3. Leave his taunt area

    Leave the area while he charges Shield of Durand (W): the longer he charges, the longer and wider the taunt.

  4. Check where he is before a dive

    Before diving one of his allies, check where Galio is: Hero's Entrance (R) flies him in from long range to an allied champion, and his landing is a knock-up.

Patch 16.21.1