Swain
MageCounter guideC Tier

Swain Counters Classic 26.22

Bird form pays Swain back for every second you stand next to him, since Ravenous Flock heals him off the damage it deals. Step outside it, dodge Nevermove, and what is left is a mage with no dash.

The play Push the wave and let his last hits dry up; Carrion Renewal pays on secured minions.

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Best countersFizzGalioAniviaStrong againstAhriKennenMordekaiserBest partnersJarvan IVBlitzcrankAmumuCounter itemsVoid StaffMercury's TreadsAbyssal ScepterTheir spellIgniteTheir rushRod of Ages

Who Counters Swain in LoL Classic?

The threat board · every lane, graded

One of these three answers a lost fight with an egg, Rebirth healing Anivia to full. Lux and Annie need one cast to land, and a tilt is the ceiling here.

01FizzBurst mageFizz BuildCounter strengthGoodOne full combo is lethal past six.
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#Championnames open countersCounter strengthDifficultyCounter buys
01FizzBurst mageFizz BuildGoodModerateShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter
02GalioMageGalio BuildGoodModerateShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter
03AniviaMageAnivia BuildFairHighShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter
04LuxMageLux BuildFairModerateShushei's Mana JugSorcerer's ShoesChalice of Harmony
05AnnieMageAnnie BuildFairModerateAbyssal ScepterVoid StaffMercury's Treads

More matchups unlock as the Classic roster grows. Open any threat to see who they fear, then hit Build for the loadout you're about to face.

How to Counter Swain in LoL Classic

Counter guide

All three of these mid laners work on Swain the same way, by making him cross ground on your terms. Anivia takes a tilt out of ice, which slows him first and doubles Frostbite second. Lux holds an edge worth respecting from one root and one beam. Annie's tilt is a stun she gets to pick the moment for. Torment sits on you through all three plans.

01Good counter

Playing Fizz into Swain

Fizz counters Swain in League of Legends Classic (Fizz splash art)Swain counters guide, Swain vs Fizz (Swain splash art)VSRankedBoost01Fizzyour pickGoodSwainopponentShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal ScepterBuy thesethe answers to SwainPick Fizz to beat Swain
How to play Fizz into Swainhover any icon for detail
Counter strengthGoodTakeChamp selectFlashBuyThe answersShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter
02Good counter

Playing Galio into Swain

Galio counters Swain in League of Legends Classic (Galio splash art)Swain counters guide, Swain vs Galio (Swain splash art)VSRankedBoost02Galioyour pickGoodSwainopponentShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal ScepterBuy thesethe answers to SwainPick Galio to beat Swain
How to play Galio into Swainhover any icon for detail
Counter strengthGoodTakeChamp selectFlashBuyThe answersShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter
03Fair counter

Playing Anivia into Swain

Frostbite doubles on a chilled target, and Crystallize decides which half of the lane Swain gets.
Anivia vs Swain counter matchup in League of Legends Classic
How to play Anivia into Swainhover any icon for detail
Counter strengthFairTakeChamp selectFlashBuyThe answersShushei's Mana JugVoid StaffAbyssal Scepter

Put the wall between the two of you the moment he steps up, because Crystallize blocks all movement and holds that ground for five seconds. It does not stop Torment, which damages you over time and makes everything else Swain throws land heavier. Use Crystallize to make Swain walk the long way around.

The raven form works on enemies standing near him, and no more than three at once. Against that, Glacial Storm is your answer. Glacial Storm chills whatever stands under it, cutting a fifth off how fast he swings and how fast he walks. Frostbite then doubles into a chilled target.

Mana runs out on your side long before it does on his, since Swain's Carrion Renewal refills him a little more each level, every time he kills a unit. Both Flash Frost and Crystallize get pricier with every rank you add, so a wall thrown at nothing leaves you short of mana.

Our method

Every Swain counter grade on this page is reviewed by our editors before it ships. When a patch, balance change, or update touches Swain, the champions who counter them, or the items bought into that matchup, this page is re-reviewed and updated.

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