Swain vs Gragas
Skill matchup
Build vs Gragas
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, Rod of Ages, Frozen Heart.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Gragas's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Gragas periodically heals upon using a skill.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 5s | 14s | – |
| 6 | 8s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 6s | 5s | 14s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 6s | 5s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 6s | 5s | 12s | 1m10 |
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 Gragas
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Stay behind your minions
Stay behind your minions: Body Slam (E) stops on the first enemy it meets, minions included.
- Get out of the barrel zone fast
Get out of the Barrel Roll (Q) area right away: the longer the barrel sits on the ground, the more its explosion hurts and slows.
- Step up after a missed E
Step up when Body Slam (E) hits nobody: its cooldown isn't reduced and stays at 14 to 12 seconds.
- Spread out from your allies
Spread out from your allies: Explosive Cask (R) knocks every enemy away from the impact, which can split you up or send you toward his team.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1