Swain vs Senna

Swain
vs
Not enough games
Senna
Heavy AD damageHeavy pokeHigh burstSustained DPS

Build vs Senna

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

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Liandry's Torment
Spirit Visage
Morellonomicon
Frozen Heart
Randuin's Omen

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Senna's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Absolution (P)

When units die near Senna, their souls are periodically trapped by the Black Mist. Senna can attack these souls to free them, absorbing the Mist that held them in death. Mist fuels her Relic Cannon's power with increased Attack Damage, Attack Range, and Critical Strike Chance. Attacks from Senna's Relic Cannon take longer to fire, deal bonus damage, and briefly grant her a portion of her target's Move Speed.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
315s11s26s–
615s11s26s2m20
915s11s26s2m20
1115s11s26s2m
1615s11s23s1m40
1815s11s20s1m40

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 Senna

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Punish her when she goes for a soul

    Take a trade when she steps up for a soul: each bit of Mist she absorbs with Absolution (passive) gives her AD, attack range and crit.

  2. Spread out if her embrace hits you

    If Last Embrace (W) hits you, move away from your allies: after a short delay, you and nearby allies are rooted.

  3. Target her when she steps up

    If you can engage, target her when she steps up for Piercing Darkness (Q): she has no dash to get away.

  4. Beware the wraiths

    Back off when her team disappears into Curse of the Black Mist (E): her allies are camouflaged there, then fast and unselectable.

Patch 16.21.1