Swain vs Pyke
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
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Pyke's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 10s | 14s | 15s | – |
| 6 | 9s | 14s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 8s | 13s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 8s | 12s | 15s | 1m25 |
| 16 | 8s | 10s | 13s | 1m10 |
| 18 | 8s | 10s | 11s | 1m10 |
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 Pyke
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1