LoL Classic - Swain Build

Changes for Classic

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How to Play

Swain is actually quite weak early, so you do need some time to come online. Focus on farming and securing as much CS and XP as you can to get your items as quickly as you can. Once you’re level 4, you can play a bit more aggressively and start using your abilities to harass the enemy laner. Don’t overcommit to poking with abilities though, as you’ll run out of mana fast.

Outside the laning phase, look for opportunities to split push and take objectives around the map. When no team fights are happening, push side lanes quickly with your abilities, then rotate back to your team. In team fights, use your key abilities to peel for yourself and your other carries, and always watch your positioning. You’re very easy to take down with CC.

Runes Explained

Regardless of the lane you’re playing Swain in, the best Runes to take on him are Magic Pen Marks, as it will increase your damage output while trading in lane, especially with your Q, E and Ultimate. It will also make killing enemies easier. For Seals, we recommend Armor as this is going to offer you some additional protection versus AD champions and minions, so you can go for riskier trades. In the Mid Lane, you will often face AP champions, and in the Top Lane you might also face someone AP like Singed or Yorick, so taking Magic Resist Glyphs is a good option to help protect you in lane.

For Quints, take Ability Power, as it will boost your damage output and make trading easier.

Masteries Explained

For Masteries, you should go for standard AP champ ones, focusing on 21 points in the Offense Tree and 9 in the Defense Tree. Swain should be played as an aggressive, poke-heavy champion, so taking the Offense Tree is crucial. Choose Masteries that increase your damage output and give you AP and magic pen to make it easier to kill your opponent. 

As you’re going to get quite close and up and personal with laners, you should go for the Defense Tree. This will offer you extra protection and increase your survivability. You could opt for Utility, but after you get your first item, and as long as you keep an eye on your abilities/don’t spam them early, you don’t really need the mana that you’re getting from the Utility Tree.