Zilean vs Swain
Favorable matchup
Build vs Swain
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Zilean: Shurelya's Battlesong, Imperial Mandate, Bandlepipes, Ionian Boots of Lucidity, Solstice Sleigh, Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, Locket of the Iron Solari, Seraph's Embrace.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Swain's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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 | 20s | 12s | – |
| 6 | 5s | 20s | 12s | 2m |
| 9 | 3s | 19s | 12s | 2m |
| 11 | 3s | 18s | 12s | 2m |
| 16 | 3s | 16s | 11s | 2m |
| 18 | 3s | 16s | 10s | 2m |
Playing as Zilean
Tips to maximize your impact
- Double bomb to stun
Place Time Bomb (Q), reset it with Rewind (W), then place the second one on the same target: the first explodes instantly and stuns enemies around it.
- Speed up an ally or slow an enemy
Cast Time Warp (E) on the ally who needs to catch up or escape, or on the enemy to slow: the same spell does both.
- Place your ult just before they die
Place Chronoshift (R) on your carry right before they die: too early and the enemy switches targets, and if they die with the rune, they revive after a stasis.
- Give your XP at the right time
Give the Time In A Bottle (passive) experience to an ally who is close to leveling up: you receive as much as you give.
Playing against Swain
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Other Zilean matchups
Patch 16.21.1