Swain vs Pyke

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Pyke
High burstHeavy AD damageCountered by stasisHeavy CC

Build vs Pyke

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

FlashDot100%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Axiom ArcanistAxiom Arcanist
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
PrecisionPrecision
Legend: HasteLegend: Haste
TriumphTriumph
Ability HasteHealth ScalingHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Pyke's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Gift of the Drowned Ones (P)

When Pyke is hidden from enemies, he regenerates damage that he has recently taken from champions. Pyke also cannot gain extra Maximum Health from any source, and instead gains Bonus AD.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
310s14s15s–
69s14s15s1m40
98s13s15s1m40
118s12s15s1m25
168s10s13s1m10
188s10s11s1m10

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 Pyke

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Put a minion between you and him

    When he charges Bone Skewer (Q), put a minion between you and him or step aside: the hook pulls the first enemy hit.

  2. Back off when sharks appear

    Back off as soon as sharks appear under your feet: it means Pyke is hidden right next to you in Ghostwater Dive (W).

  3. Leave the line of his phantom

    After the Phantom Undertow (E) dash, get out of the line between his starting point and him: the phantom returns to Pyke and stuns champions it passes through.

  4. Leave his X at low health

    Get out of the Death From Below (R) X when you're low: below its health threshold, you're executed there, and above it, you only take part of the damage.

  5. Focus him as soon as he shows

    If you can reach him, focus him as soon as he shows himself: out of your sight, Gift of the Drowned Ones (passive) restores the damage you just dealt him.

Patch 16.21.1