Mage

Swain

The Noxian Grand General

Jericho Swain is the visionary ruler of Noxus, an expansionist nation that reveres only strength. Though he was cast down and crippled in the Ionian wars, his left arm severed, he seized control of the empire with ruthless determination… and a new, demonic hand.Read the full story on Riot's Universe site

See Swain guides Write a guide for Swain

P
Ravenous Flock
Q
Death's Hand
W
Vision of Empire
E
Nevermove
R
Demonic Ascension

Swain

Overview

On patch 16.21, Swain is rated B tier in the support role, winning 49.5% of 8,023 ranked games with a 8.3% pick rate. The most successful build this patch runs Electrocute with Flash and Ignite and builds Rylai's Crystal Scepter, Liandry's Torment, Malignance, and Sorcerer's Shoes.

Swain struggles most against Milio (33%), Sona (36%), and Twitch (37.5%) and does best against Sett (61.9%), Maokai (61.1%), and Shaco (59.8%).

Ranked solo/duo · patch 16.21 · 8,023 games · updated Nov 1, 2026 · How we calculate

49.5%

Win rate

8.3%

Pick rate

Games

16.21

Patch

Playing as Swain

If you're having trouble rooting an enemy with Nevermove, try throwing it at opponents when they are near their minions so the explosion surprises them.
While laning, try to use Death's Hand's piercing damage to damage opponents from a safe distance.
Vision of Empire is quite difficult to land on its own, look for skirmishes around the map where enemies may be distracted or crowd controlled so you can land it more easily.
Demonic Ascension may make Swain very hard to kill but he's pretty easy to get away from. Try building items that can slow opponents to keep them in range if their mobility is overwhelming.

Playing against Swain

Swain's passive is very potent if you are immobilized. Make sure to be extra careful around enemies who have immobilizing effects.
High mobility counters all of Swain's basic abilities: Death's Hand does more damage the closer he is, Vision of Empire has a very long delay and Nevermove must start returning back to him to be dangerous.
Buying an item with Grievous Wounds will make Swain much easier to kill during his Demonic Ascension.

Guides

See all

Be the first to share a guide.

Write a guide

Matchups

All Swain matchups

Strong against

Sett61.9%21
Maokai61.1%54
Shaco59.8%102
Mel57.3%117
Nautilus56.7%497

Weak against

Milio33.0%115
Sona36.0%25
Twitch37.5%32
Ashe37.9%29
Zilean39.1%92

Abilities

P
Ravenous Flock
Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.
Q
Death's Hand
Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.
Cooldown: 7/6/5/4/3Cost: 40/45/50/55/60Range: 750
W
Vision of Empire
Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.
Cooldown: 20/19/18/17/16Cost: 60/65/70/75/80Range: 5500/6000/6500/7000/7500
E
Nevermove
Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.
Cooldown: 12/11.5/11/10.5/10Cost: 50/55/60/65/70Range: 850
R
Demonic Ascension
Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.
Cooldown: 120Cost: 100Range: 650