Swain vs Gnar
Skill matchup
Build vs Gnar
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, Fimbulwinter, Seeker's Armguard.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gnar's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
While in combat Gnar generates Rage. At maximum Rage his next ability will transform him into Mega Gnar, granting increased survivability and access to new spells.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 16s | 7s | 22s | – |
| 6 | 13s | 7s | 22s | 1m30 |
| 9 | 10s | 7s | 22s | 1m30 |
| 11 | 10s | 7s | 22s | 1m |
| 16 | 10s | 7s | 17s | 30s |
| 18 | 10s | 7s | 12s | 30s |
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 Gnar
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Play hard against Mini Gnar
Take your trades when he's Mini Gnar with little Rage Gene (passive): he then has no stun and none of Mega Gnar's defenses.
- Dodge his boomerang
Dodge Boomerang Throw (Q): it slows you, and if he catches it on the way back, its cooldown drops.
- Short trades
Take short trades: on every third auto or ability that hits you, Hyper (W) adds damage based on your max health.
- Stay away from walls
Stay away from walls against Mega Gnar: GNAR! (R) knocks back every nearby enemy, and those who hit a wall are stunned.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1