Swain is one of the most perfect characters in the game

Velasan··6 votes·489 views

By Riots definition Swain Swain is easily one of the most perfect characters. Here's why:

  1. He has very distinct visual look (green and purple colors, crippled, turns into a giant demon bird) that is immediately recognizable.

  2. Swain has very clear strengths and weaknesses (don't stand in his Q, don't take too many autos when his E is on you). He's immobile, but dangerous close up, and has to chase his enemies to dot them to death. His counter play is also more than just getting an item, but actual things you can do in game to not die to him.

  3. His kit while simple to use has depth to it that can separate good swains and bad swains; like landing his telegraphed W, or reading your opponent for when your dot's will be enough to kill them etc.

  4. Swain is very balanced. Aside from a few number changes he has been barely touched since release and is one of the original two DOT mages. (RIP cass Cassiopeia )

  5. Lastly, he has a clear place in the story. His rivalry with J4 JarvanIV is shown in several different ways in game and through his interactions with other characters. He may in fact be one of the most deeply rooted of any character in all the lore, having more lore centered on him than anyone else.

So, in summary Swain is an awesome character. When I see Riot and other board goers talking about potential Swain reworks I hope Riot will remember what makes Swain, well, Swain.

Thank you.

9 Comments

Hayaishi24 votes

yeah getting destroyed in 2 secs because i walked near him as a squishy, so fun.

Velasan4 votes

{quoted}

yeah getting destroyed in 2 secs because i walked near him as a squishy, so fun.

Just to be clear... you mean like any squishy ever vs. an APC caster? That's how the game works.

Gunpoint1 votes

{quoted}

Just to be clear... you mean like any squishy ever vs. an APC caster? That's how the game works.

Except usually apc casters don't heal more than you can damage them and are vulnerable to cc. Swain on the other hand, is tanky, has ridiculous sustain, and his sustain is not stopped by any means of cc. Thank god they brought Executioners Calling back.

Elkington VI1 votes

I think Trundle is one of the better champs in the game for similar reasons. Has clear strengths and weaknesses, yet can still build/play around his hard counters. Can change his builds around based on the meta.

I just wish his lore was a little better.

The Great Divide3 votes

Original 2 DPS Mages.... Malzahar item 3070

Velasan3 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Great Divide,realm=NA,application-id=3ErqAdtq,discussion-id=UQJqNEEA,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2015-11-08T06:17:22.691+0000)

Original 2 DPS Mages.... Malzahar item 3070

Lol oh yeah I forgot. Thankfully he still is around as a great dot user. God forbid they rework him. Malzahar is an awesome champ.

The Great Divide1 votes

He is an absolute pain to lane against (I know, cause I abuse that), but you really have to smile at his design: very strong, but also clear and abusable weaknesses.

Stephenizgod3 votes

Was going to say this too haha when I think DoT mage the first thing that comes to mind is Brand, but if you say original DoT mage i think of Malzahar, then Cass, then Swain.

Shmoovus1 votes

Occupied smashing the upvote button. Do not disturb under penalty of having to be careful around ravens for the rest of your life.

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