Swain ADC Build Guides, Runes, Items, and Abilities

Swain: The Noxian Grand General

Swain, the Noxian Grand General, is a commanding presence on the battlefield, wielding his demonic powers to control and decimate his foes. As a versatile mage with the ability to heal, root enemies, and unleash devastating area-of-effect (AoE) damage, Swain excels in extended fights and team engagements. Whether played in the mid-lane, top-lane, or as a support, Swain brings consistent utility and damage to his team. This guide will delve into his strengths and weaknesses, provide essential tips, and conclude with key insights to mastering this strategic champion.

1. Strengths:

• Sustained Healing and Durability: Swain’s passive, Ravenous Flock, grants healing and permanent maximum health increases, making him tanky as the game progresses.
• Crowd Control and Utility: Nevermove (E) provides a reliable root and the ability to reposition enemies, giving Swain excellent control in fights.
• Strong Team Fight Presence: Demonic Ascension (R) allows Swain to drain health from multiple enemies, making him a formidable force in grouped engagements.
• Vision Control and Poke: Vision of Empire (W) reveals enemies, slows them, and grants Soul Fragments, enabling Swain to contribute from a distance.
• Versatility: Swain’s kit makes him viable in multiple roles, including mid-lane, top-lane, and support, depending on the team composition.

2. Weaknesses:

• Immobility: Swain lacks dashes or mobility spells, making him vulnerable to crowd control and kite-heavy champions.
• Skillshot Reliance: Key abilities like Nevermove (E) and Vision of Empire (W) require precise aiming, which can be challenging against mobile opponents.
• Mana Dependency: Swain relies on his abilities for damage and utility, making mana management critical, especially in the early game.
• Scaling Reliance: Swain’s full potential is unlocked in the mid-to-late game, leaving him susceptible to early aggression.

1. Maximizing Ravenous Flock (Passive):

• Aim to collect Soul Fragments consistently by hitting champions with Vision of Empire (W) and pulling rooted enemies with Nevermove (E).
• Focus on extending fights to take advantage of the healing and health scaling provided by your passive.

2. Ability Combos:

• Use Nevermove (E) to root enemies and immediately follow up with Death’s Hand (Q) to maximize damage.
• Cast Vision of Empire (W) on fleeing enemies to slow and reveal them, making it easier to secure kills.
• In team fights, activate Demonic Ascension (R) early to sustain yourself and deal consistent damage.

3. Positioning in Team Fights:

• Stand near the frontline but slightly behind tanks to drain health from multiple enemies during Demonic Ascension.
• Use Demonflare strategically when enemies are grouped to deal massive AoE damage and slow them for follow-up attacks.

4. Managing Mana:

• Avoid spamming abilities in the early game to conserve mana.
• Use Vision of Empire (W) to poke sparingly and focus on landing high-impact roots with Nevermove (E).

5. Adapting to Matchups:

• Against mobile champions, time your Nevermove (E) to catch them after they use their dashes.
• Build items that complement your durability and sustain, such as Zhonya’s Hourglass and Rylai’s Crystal Scepter.

• W + E + E + Q + AA: Use your W then E and E again. Finish with a Q and AA.
• E + W + E + Q + AA: Use your E, W and E again. Then Q and AA to finish a short and sweet combo.
• Q + E + W + E + AA + AA + AA + Q: Use your Q, E, W, E combo to burst and lock down your enemy, then AA a few times before finishing with another Q.
• W + E + R + E + Q + AA + AA + R + AA + Q: Press your W, E R, E and Q to start off a big all in on your opponent. Then auto attack a few times before using the second part of your R, another AA and a Q to finish.
• R + E + W + E + AA + Q + AA + R: Press your R then E, W and E again to lock your enemy down. Then AA, Q, AA and finally press your R again to end the combo.
• FLASH + E + W + R + AA + Q + AA + AA + R: Use your Flash and E your enemy then W and R. Then AA, Q, AA, AA and R again to finish.
• Q + FLASH + E + W + R + E + AA + R: Press your Q and then instantly flash towards your enemy. Then follow with your E, W, R and E combo to lock them down. Finish off with an AA and then the second part of your R.

1. Early game

• Play safe for the first few levels. You need time to come online and you shouldn’t be fighting unless you have a clear early advantage.
• Once you have a few levels under your belt, you can start to play aggressive and look for aggressive plays. However, you will rely on your Support to do the heavy lifting early on.
• After destroying the bottom lane tower, rotate to the mid lane and try to take that tower. This will open up the map and give your team a gold lead.

2. Mid game

• Try and stick with your Support throughout the mid-game. You’re quite vulnerable and easy to kill if you’re on your own. By staying with your Support, your survivability will increase.
• Continue picking up farm in the side lanes when no team fights are occurring, but spend as little time away from your team. You need gold and XP to buy items and if you fall behind, it will be unlikely that you’ll be able to dish out damage in fights.
• Look for picks with your Support/Jungler to get kills and increase your lead. If you kill a key target, you could make the call for Baron.

3. Late game

• Do not team fight in the later parts of the game unless your Zhonya’s Hourglass and Ultimate Vision of Empire W are both up. Delay/ disengage fights if the enemy wants to fight you.
• Stay with your team in the late parts of the game. If you get caught out or the enemy initiates a fight while you’re not there, the enemy will win the team fight.
• Poke and delay team fights while you and your team harass the enemy and get them low. Once they’re low, engage. You can also look for picks with your abilities to catch someone who is out of position.

Swain’s commanding presence and scaling power make him a formidable champion in the right hands. With his ability to sustain through fights, control enemy movements, and deal consistent damage, Swain thrives in team-oriented playstyles. While he requires good positioning and precise ability usage, the rewards for mastering Swain are immense. Whether leading your team to victory as a mid-lane powerhouse or supporting them with utility and healing, Swain is a champion that embodies the relentless will of Noxus. Embrace his power and let the Grand General’s influence reshape the battlefield!

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Good luck to you! – Cheng