Matchup

XinZhao
Xin Zhao
73%
27%

vs

54.6%

over 86 games

Swain
Swain
18%
82%
Heavy AP damageHigh sustainSustained DPSHeavy CC

Skill matchup

Build vs Swain

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Nashor's Tooth
1DPS
Guinsoo's Rageblade
2
Hextech Rocketbelt
3Mage tank

Standard

Boots of Swiftness
4vs Slow
Statikk Shiv
5DPS

Summoner spells

41478%
41221%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Death's Dance
5vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
vs AD

Anti Heal

Mortal Reminder
6vs Hybride

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Spirit Visage
5vs AP
Maw of Malmortius
vs AP

Anti Tank

Black Cleaver
5vs Tank
Voltaic Cyclosword
vs Tank
The Collector
vs Tank

DPS

Statikk Shiv
DPS
Dusk and Dawn
Mage tank
Riftmaker
Mage tank
Titanic Hydra
Bruiser
Rabadon's Deathcap
Mage
Endless Hunger
DPS
Hextech Gunblade
Mage
Sundered Sky
Bruiser

Other options

Dark Seal
100.0% WR2 games
DominationDomination
Hail of BladesHail of Blades
Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Relentless HunterRelentless Hunter
PrecisionPrecision
Legend: AlacrityLegend: Alacrity
TriumphTriumph
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
XinZhaoXin Zhao
SwainSwain
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral

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
37s22s12s
65s22s12s2m
93s21s12s2m
113s20s12s2m
163s18s11s2m
183s18s10s2m

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