Some League of Legends champions stand out with their flexibility across different lanes and Swain is one of the most popular ones. You can play Swain in mid lane or support, which shows this champion’s versatile skillset with serious carry potential and ability to help the rest of the team. In this guide we have explained everything you need to know about Swain and how to play this champion in mid lane. You will find builds, abilities, counters and more information!

Swain abilities in League of Legends

Here are all of Swain’s abilities in League of Legends:

Ravenous Flock - PASSIVE

Official description: Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.

Death's Hand - Q

Official description: Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.

Vision of Empire - W

Official description: Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.

Nevermove - E

Official description: 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.

Demonic Ascension - R

Official description: 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.

Best Swain builds

Here are two different builders for you to check out:

• Main Build:
  • Starting Item: Zaz'Zak's Realmspike, enhancing Swain's abilities and mana sustainability.
  • Shoes: Sorcerer's Shoes for better mobility and increased magic penetration.
  • Core Items: Rylai's Crystal Scepter to slow enemies, Liandry's Torment for damage over time, and Zhonya's Hourglass for crucial defensive stats and the active ability to become invulnerable temporarily.
  • Final Item: Morellonomicon to reduce enemy healing, critical against teams with strong healing abilities.
• Runes:
  • Primary: Conqueror, Presence of Mind, Legend: Haste, Last Stand.
  • Secondary: Conditioning, Overgrowth.
• Optional Build:
  • Key Difference: Utilizes Electrocute for burst damage, enhancing Swain's ability to quickly deal high damage.
• Runes:
  • Primary: Electrocute, Cheap Shot, Eyeball Collection, Ultimate Hunter.
  • Secondary: Coup de Grace, Presence of Mind.
  • Items: Follows the same sequence as the most popular build, prioritizing burst damage.

How to play Swain mid

Swan may not be the best LoL champion for beginners but he is particularly strong at controlling enemies with his crowd control abilities. His passive and ultimate allow him to heal significantly, which means he can stay in fights longer and sustain his presence in the lane. He excels in enclosed spaces where he can hit multiple enemies with his abilities, especially during team fights around objectives like Dragon or Baron.

Game Phases:

• Early Game (0-15 min): Swain needs to focus on landing his Nevermove and Vision of Empire to control the lane and contribute to early skirmishes.
• Mid Game (15-25 min): This is where Swain can shine by participating in team fights using his ultimate, Demonic Ascension. Obtaining items like Zhonya's Hourglass will allow him to dive into enemy teams more effectively.
• Late Game (25+ min): In the later stages, Swain should focus on staying with his team and picking favorable fights. His ability to poke and weaken enemies before a full engagement can be crucial.

Swain counters

Here are three of the worst enemies of Swain in mid lane:

Ziggs

Ziggs can be a tough matchup for Swain due to his long-range capabilities and high burst damage. Ziggs can effectively poke Swain from a distance and disrupt his ability to farm or control the lane without putting himself in danger.

Brand

Brand's high damage output and his passive, which can apply Grievous Wounds, make him a dangerous opponent for Swain. Brand can easily burst Swain down and limit his healing, which is crucial for Swain’s sustainability in fights.

Zoe

Zoe poses a challenge with her mobility and sleep-inducing Bubble (Sleepy Trouble Bubble), which can make it difficult for Swain to land his crowd control abilities. Her ability to engage from a distance and then retreat makes her a slippery target for Swain.

Swain voice lines

Here are some of Swain’s voice lines that you will hear the most during your matches:

• "You can sit on a throne, that doesn't make you a ruler. It only means you have an arse."
• "I have seen this place... A vision... A battle."
• "The outcome was decided when they brought an army; and I brought a demon."
• "If they already call me a villain, what will they call me when I succeed?"
• “It is just as the spies described... A pity I had them executed."
• "I look out upon humanity, and see only a feast."
• "Dispatch these worms."
• "Men are too weak to rule (laughs) but I am no man."
• "I fought the dragons once... Now I have become one!"
• "To end the world with fire. To rule with flame."
• "Destiny marches—like any man."
• "There is always a choice. The truth is no exception."
• "A calculated risk is no risk at all."
• "Decisions have consequences. This I know well."
• "One can read the future in battle lines, assuming one can read."
• "We are at war. Do not forget it."
• "The mud on our boots will hide the bloodstains."
• "A Noxian knows who he is. And what he must do."
• "The few, for the many."
• "Is it not enough for Noxus to be strong?"
• "To redraw the map, the blood of soldiers must be the ink."
• "I cannot lead if I allow fools to stumble about before me."
• "I suppose I should be grateful they have the decency to fear me."
• "They expect me to play fairly... We aren't even playing the same game."
• "When their lives flash before their eyes, so do their secrets."
• "I could kill them all. But it would be far crueler to show them that I am right.

Swain voice actor

James Sebastian Faulkner, known for his roles in "Da Vinci's Demons" and "Game of Thrones," is the voice behind Swain. He brings a strong and commanding voice that fits Swain's character as a leader.

Swain release date

Swain was released on October 10, 2010. Since then, the champion received a rework his skills were changed.

What is the relationship between Swain and LeBlanc?

Swain and LeBlanc have a tense and complicated relationship. LeBlanc once tricked Swain and caused him to lose power in Noxus. Even though they now work together, they do not trust each other. Swain knows LeBlanc hides secrets, and LeBlanc watches Swain closely. They both want control over Noxus, but their methods are different. Their connection is not romantic.

Who is the demon inside Swain?

The demon inside Swain is named Raum. It is known as the Demon of Secrets. Swain lost his arm in battle and found Raum afterward. Instead of dying, he made a deal and took the demon’s power. Now, Swain uses the demon to gather secrets and gain strength. He sees through ravens and uses dark magic to win battles. Raum gives Swain both knowledge and a powerful magical arm.

What is Swain's role?

Swain is a mage who usually plays in the mid lane or as a support. He controls fights by pulling enemies, dealing damage, and healing himself. His passive gives him soul fragments to heal and grow stronger. When he activates his ultimate, he turns into a demon and drains health from enemies around him. This makes him very hard to kill.

Why is Swain so strong?

Swain is strong because he can deal damage, heal during fights, and stay alive for a long time. His skills let him control teamfights and punish enemies who get too close. He gains power from secrets and uses his demon form to drain health and turn fights around. Players pick him when they want a durable mage who can lead teamfights and carry games.