Swain vs Karma

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Karma
Heavy AP damageHeavy CCHeavy shieldingHeavy poke

Build vs Karma

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, 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

FlashHaste100%

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Ability HasteHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karma's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Gathering Fire (P)

Karma's damaging abilities will reduce the cooldown of Mantra.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
39s12s10s–
67s12s10s40s
95s12s10s40s
115s12s10s38s
165s12s9s36s
185s12s8s36s

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 Karma

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Respect her level 1

    Play carefully at the very start of lane: Mantra (R) is available from level 1, so Karma already has an empowered spell.

  2. Break her tether

    Move away as soon as Focused Resolve (W) tethers you: if the tether holds to the end, you take damage again and get rooted.

  3. Leave the ring of fire

    Quickly leave the ring of fire left by Inner Flame (Q) empowered by Mantra (R): it slows and deals extra damage.

  4. Focus her in teamfights

    If you can reach her, focus her in teamfights: Mantra (R) then Inspire (E) gives a shield and move speed to every ally grouped around her target.

Patch 16.21.1