Swain vs Soraka
You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.
Build vs Soraka
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, Gluttonous Greaves, Oblivion Orb, Liandry's Torment, Spirit Visage, Morellonomicon.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Soraka's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Soraka runs faster towards nearby low health allies.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8s | 6s | 20s | – |
| 6 | 6s | 6s | 20s | 2m30 |
| 9 | 4s | 5s | 20s | 2m30 |
| 11 | 4s | 4s | 20s | 2m15 |
| 16 | 4s | 2s | 18s | 2m |
| 18 | 4s | 2s | 16s | 2m |
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 Soraka
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Dodge her star
Dodge Starcall (Q): if it hits a champion, Soraka heals and speeds up, and can pass that heal on to an ally.
- Leave her Equinox fast
Get out of Equinox (E) fast: you're silenced inside, and rooted if you're still there when the zone disappears.
- Focus her, not the healed ally
If you can reach her, focus Soraka rather than the ally she heals: she has no dash, and each Astral Infusion (W) costs her health.
- Finish in a single burst
Finish your targets in a single burst: Wish (R) heals them wherever they are, and more below 40% health.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1