Swain vs Jhin
Build vs Jhin
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, Spirit Visage, Morellonomicon, Frozen Heart.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Jhin's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Jhin's hand cannon, Whisper, is a precise instrument designed to deal superior damage. It fires at a fixed rate and carries only four shots. Jhin imbues the final bullet with dark magics to critically strike and deal bonus execute damage. Whenever Whisper crits, it inspires Jhin with a burst of Move Speed.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 12s | 2s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 9 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 2m |
| 11 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m45 |
| 16 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
| 18 | 5s | 12s | 2s | 1m30 |
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 Jhin
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade while he reloads
Trade right after his 4th shot: Whisper (passive) then has to reload, and only his spells can hit you while he does.
- Respect his W after a hit
After Jhin or his allies hit you, step out of the line of Deadly Flourish (W): it roots you if you were damaged in the last 4 seconds, and it has huge range.
- Punish his lack of mobility
If you can engage, go for him when his support walks away: with no dash or leap, Jhin can only back off on foot.
- Interrupt his ult
During Curtain Call (R), he stays in place to channel: if you have CC, interrupt him, otherwise flank him.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1