Swain vs Galio
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Galio's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Every few seconds, Galio's next basic attack deals bonus magic damage in an area.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 11s | 18s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 18s | 11s | 3m |
| 9 | 7s | 17s | 11s | 3m |
| 11 | 7s | 16s | 11s | 2m40 |
| 16 | 7s | 14s | 9s | 2m20 |
| 18 | 7s | 14s | 7s | 2m20 |
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 Galio
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade after his E
Take a trade after Justice Punch (E): it's his only dash, on an 11 to 7 second cooldown.
- 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.
- Leave his taunt area
Leave the area while he charges Shield of Durand (W): the longer he charges, the longer and wider the taunt.
- 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.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1