Viktor vs Swain

Viktor
vs
48.6%

over 214 games

Swain

Skill matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh sustainSustained DPSHigh burst

Build vs Swain

Build adapted to this matchup

Recommended items for Viktor: Blackfire Torch, Liandry's Torment, Zhonya's Hourglass, Sorcerer's Shoes, Lich Bane, Shadowflame, Oblivion Orb, Dark Seal.

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Blackfire Torch
1
Liandry's Torment
2
Zhonya's Hourglass
3

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Lich Bane
5

Summoner spells

FlashTeleport77%
FlashHaste14%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Lich Bane
Shadowflame
Oblivion Orb
Dark Seal
Rabadon's Deathcap
Hextech Rocketbelt
Void Staff
Luden's Echo
Mejai's Soulstealer
Morellonomicon
Seeker's Armguard
Cryptbloom
Rod of Ages
Banshee's Veil
Bloodletter's Curse
Cosmic Drive
50.0% WR12 games
SorcerySorcery
Deathfire TouchDeathfire Touch
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
ScorchScorch
ResolveResolve
Shield BashShield Bash
Bone PlatingBone Plating
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

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

LevelQWER
37s20s12s–
65s20s12s2m
93s19s12s2m
113s18s12s2m
163s16s11s2m
183s16s10s2m

Playing as Viktor

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. Poke with your ray

    Poke with Hextech Ray (E), fired in the direction you choose: it hits every enemy in its line, and its upgrade adds an aftershock in its wake.

  2. Siphon Power, then an auto

    After Siphon Power (Q), land an auto within 4 seconds: it deals bonus magic damage, and the spell's shield covers you during the trade.

  3. Gravity Field, then your ray

    Place Gravity Field (W) in your target's path, then fire Hextech Ray (E): the field slows them, and if they stay in it for 1.25 seconds, they're stunned.

  4. Choose your upgrades well

    Glorious Evolution (passive) upgrades a spell every 100 Hex Fragments: Hextech Ray (E) to poke and clear, Siphon Power (Q) to survive, Gravity Field (W) to slow.

  5. Drop your storm on their group

    Place Arcane Storm (R) on grouped enemies: it follows the champions it just damaged on its own, and you can recast it to move it.

Playing against Swain

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

  1. Dodge Nevermove on its return

    Get out of the Nevermove (E) path as it comes back: it only roots on its return to Swain, then he can pull each rooted champion to him.

  2. Leave the area of his eye

    Leave the area as soon as Vision of Empire (W) appears: it strikes and slows 1.5 seconds later, and each champion hit gives him a Soul Fragment.

  3. Keep your distance during his ult

    During Demonic Ascension (R), back off and hit from range if you can: he only drains nearby enemies, and his form ends when he stops draining.

  4. Cut his healing during his ult

    If you have Grievous Wounds, apply it during Demonic Ascension (R): the drain heals him every second, and that healing keeps him alive.

Patch 16.21.1