Swain vs Kai'Sa

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Kai'Sa
Sustained DPSHigh burstHeavy AP damageHeavy AD damage

Build vs Kai'Sa

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

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
Liandry's Torment
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport75%
FlashDot25%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Last StandLast Stand
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Kai'Sa's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Second Skin (P)

Kai'Sa's basic attacks stack Plasma, dealing increasing bonus magic damage. Allies' immobilizing effects help stack Plasma. Additionally, Kai'Sa's item purchases upgrade her basic spells to have more powerful properties.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s20s16s–
68s20s16s2m10
96s18.5s16s2m10
116s17s16s1m40
166s14s13s1m10
186s14s10s1m10

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 Kai'Sa

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay near your minions

    Stay near your minions: Icathian Rain (Q) splits its missiles between nearby enemies, and on your own, you take them all.

  2. Harass her before she evolves

    If your attack range beats her 525 units, harass her early: Second Skin (passive) only evolves her spells as she buys items.

  3. Dodge her Void Seeker

    Dodge Void Seeker (W): it marks you with Plasma and reveals you, which lets Killer Instinct (R) dash onto you from very far away.

Patch 16.21.1