Matchup
Heavy AP damageHigh sustainSustained DPSHeavy CC
Skill matchup
Build vs Swain
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
74%
20%Anti AD
Anti Heal
Anti AP
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
85.7% WR7 games
Sorcery
Deathfire Touch
Manaflow Band
Transcendence
Scorch
Resolve
Shield Bash
Bone Plating
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
Viktor
SwainCareful
Careful
Aggressive
Swain's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
Ravenous Flock (P)
Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.
Cooldowns
Cooldowns by spell rank
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7s | 22s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 22s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 3s | 21s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 3s | 20s | 12s | 2m |
| 16 | 3s | 18s | 11s | 2m |
| 18 | 3s | 18s | 10s | 2m |
Playing against Swain
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
1
Stay out of his R drain range — if you can't burst him, back off and wait for R to expire.
2
His E root triggers on the RETURN: dodge the returning projectile, not the outgoing one.
3
Grievous Wounds reduces his R drain and passive heals — buy it early.
4
Swain is vulnerable to long-range champions who can poke him without entering his drain zone.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026