... But I WANT to max E first...

Swain prior to the patch the only way I was able to trade with these heavy mobility AD assassins in my midlane was to poke at them with my E and Q. My opinion on the new Q has made a full 180 turn. It's total garbage no matter how many points I shove in it. Cause I can't get people to stay in it. 2 ticks, they're out and now I'm mildly threatening a couple minions. It would feel better if my W actually kept people in place but the nerf to it's duration means in early game I have no way of keeping people in Beatrice for any reasonable amount of time.

So yes. I want to max E, because even after the nerfs, it's the only reliable source of damage I have.

Also I wish my bird would target minions with the lowest health rather than minions that are closest.

TL:DR Swain was a DoT warlorck, now he's a crappy morgana.