Swain vs Nami
Build vs Nami
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
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Nami's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
When Nami's Abilities hit allied champions they gain Move Speed for a short duration.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12s | 10s | 11s | – |
| 6 | 10s | 10s | 11s | 2m |
| 9 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 2m |
| 11 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 1m40 |
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 Nami
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge her bubble, then step up
Change direction when she casts Aqua Prison (Q), then step up if she misses: it's her only stun outside her ult, on a 12 to 8 second cooldown.
- Back off when she blesses her ADC
Avoid trading when she casts Tidecaller's Blessing (E) on her ally: their next autos and abilities slow you and deal more damage.
- Dodge the wave sideways
Step out to the side of Tidal Wave (R): it travels a long way but moves slowly, and its slow lasts longer the more distance it has covered.
- Target her: she has no dash
If you can engage, target Nami when she steps up: with no dash or leap, she can only walk away.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1