Zilean vs Swain

Zilean
vs
55.8%

over 278 games

Swain

Favorable matchup

Heavy AP damageHigh sustainSustained DPSHigh burst

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

Health Potion
x2

Core build

Shurelya's Battlesong
1
Imperial Mandate
2
Bandlepipes
3

Standard

Ionian Boots of Lucidity
4CDR
Solstice Sleigh
5

Summoner spells

FlashHeal60%
ExhaustFlash27%

Anti CC

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC

Other options

Solstice Sleigh
Zaz'Zak's Realmspike
Locket of the Iron Solari
Seraph's Embrace
Celestial Opposition
Luden's Echo
Mikael's Blessing
Oblivion Orb
Cosmic Drive
Tear of the Goddess
Redemption
Knight's Vow
Morellonomicon
Dream Maker
Frozen Heart
Zhonya's Hourglass
Dark Seal
Banshee's Veil
Blackfire Torch
Mejai's Soulstealer
Horizon Focus
Malignance
Kaenic Rookern
Fimbulwinter
Abyssal Mask
Rabadon's Deathcap
Rod of Ages
Actualizer
73.3% WR15 games
SorcerySorcery
Summon AerySummon Aery
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
TranscendenceTranscendence
WaterwalkingWaterwalking
DominationDomination
Relentless HunterRelentless Hunter
Cheap ShotCheap Shot
Ability HasteAdaptive 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 Zilean

Tips to maximize your impact

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

  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