Swain vs Tristana
Build vs Tristana
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
Tristana's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Increases Tristana's Attack Range as she levels.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 20s | 22s | 16s | – |
| 6 | 18s | 22s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 9 | 16s | 20s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 11 | 16s | 18s | 16s | 1m40 |
| 16 | 16s | 14s | 15s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 16s | 14s | 14s | 1m40 |
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 Tristana
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Step away from your minions
Don't stay glued to your minions: when her autos kill them, Explosive Charge (E) damages nearby enemies, and her bomb also explodes in an area.
- Back off when her bomb is on you
Back off as soon as Explosive Charge (E) is stuck on you: each of her hits makes it stronger, and a bomb that explodes at max stacks resets Rocket Jump (W).
- Respect her Rapid Fire
When she activates Rapid Fire (Q) in a fight, back off until the bonus ends, or stun her if you can: her attack speed spikes for the spell's duration.
- Spread out when her bomb is on you
In teamfights, when Explosive Charge (E) is on you, spread out from your allies: when it explodes, the bomb also damages anyone near you.
Other Swain matchups
Patch 16.21.1