Swain vs Poppy

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Poppy
Heavy AD damageStrong engageHeavy CCVery tanky

Build vs Poppy

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, Fimbulwinter, Dark Seal, 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

FlashHaste45%
FlashDot25%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Fimbulwinter
Dark Seal
Frozen Heart
Rod of Ages
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Randuin's Omen
PrecisionPrecision
ConquerorConqueror
Presence of MindPresence of Mind
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
Last StandLast Stand
ResolveResolve
ConditioningConditioning
OvergrowthOvergrowth
Adaptive ForceAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Poppy's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Iron Ambassador (P)

Poppy throws her buckler that bounces off the target. Poppy can pick it up to gain a temporary shield.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
38s20s14s–
66s20s14s2m20
94s18s14s2m20
114s16s14s2m
164s12s12s1m40
184s12s10s1m40

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 Poppy

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Stay away from walls

    Stay away from walls against her: Heroic Charge (E) stuns you if she slams you into an obstacle.

  2. Step on her buckler

    Step on the Iron Ambassador (passive) buckler when it lands: she can no longer pick it up, so she doesn't get her shield.

  3. No dashes during Steadfast Presence

    If you have a dash, don't use it near her during Steadfast Presence (W): the field stops it, and you're slowed and grounded.

  4. Interrupt her Verdict charge

    If you have CC, use it when she spins her hammer for Keeper's Verdict (R): the longer she charges, the farther she sends her target.

Patch 16.21.1