As one of the 15 Swain mains that exist

Angelofchaos16x·Oct 17, 2015·122 votes·9,116 views

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJyqEhe3EEc/ViHM01iqVQI/AAAAAAAAy4Q/WXSoRcYBH14/s1600/Swain_Splash_Centered_0.jpg

Please , please , don't fuck with my love , make this Swain´s official splash art. He as been promised Dragon Master Swain for years and nothing, he has been needing a VU for years and he gets nothing, no skins for over 3 years, while Ahri gets 2 in one year. I get it that she has a wayyyyy larger fan base, but it is not fair to the fans of champs that are less of fan favorites (I feel you Zyra , Kennen, Lissandra , Cassie and until recently Kassadin and Brand mains). All I ask of you is to make this his official splash art.

148 Comments

junglerboy16Oct 17, 201525 votes

I think they should probably address whether or not Swain really fulfills the idea of a master tactician or not first.

I don't play much swain, but he is a pretty solid champ no matter how you cut it, his only shortcoming being that he plays too much like a berserker style champ (i.e. Olaf or Aatrox) rather than a renowned tactician known for his cunning and excellent strategy on top of his manipulative rise to supreme power in Noxus. His kit is strong and cohesive, but it feels like it belongs to a different champion, or they should just retcon Swain into something other than a master tactician and start that idea off with an appropriately themed champion who fulfills that fantasy (please note I'm not saying this lightly, I know how drastic a change that would be and how a lot of Swain players would be very unhappy with that assertion)

The updated splash is great though, I hope it comes out soon.

A Superb VillainOct 17, 201588 votes

I think the intent is that Swain is an extremely competent commander, but on the Rift he has nothing to command. The situation represented in-game is that Swain is without his armies, his guard, a commander exposed, and even with his most powerful asset unavailable, he still kicks serious ass with his back against the wall.

Think of it like kicking in the door to Noxian High Command with the intent to assassinate the Master Tactician. Should be an easy job, right? After all, he's just a man well-learned in tactics and logistics. Then he transforms into a bird demon and the truth becomes terrifyingly apparent; Swain is not going down without a fight.

junglerboy16Oct 17, 201538 votes

THIS is the kind of answer I've been looking for regarding swain, and I think you've summed up what he is really all about quite nicely.

Please apply to Rtio as a full time lore consultant, they could do with analysis like this.

Blue Moon WolfOct 17, 201519 votes

the short lore could be the last written words of Helmet bro, who tries to kill swain:

If anyone finds this, I have been tracking down the whereabouts of the Noxian Tactician: Swain. I thought if I could slip past his army I could end him easily ... I was mistaken. I finally found his location, but it was part of his plan all along. He wanted me to find him so he could kill me as a message to all that would appose him. He is a monster... Whatever you do, do not--- blood covers the rest of the letter

SociopathFriendOct 18, 201510 votes

I think Helmet Bro needs to write the lore for all of the champions- or at least a short bio.

MeesterMooOct 18, 201513 votes

His last words as he dies to each one.

Lulu

Something... about... purple...

MEMEME670Oct 17, 20152 votes

Do you really not see the blatant plot-armour you're giving him here? Nothing about his character leads into him being a bird-demon, there's no reason it should be a thing given what we know about swain. It doesn't fit his character at all.

PyrodiniumOct 17, 201522 votes

Why not? He is a tactician and a shapeshifting spellcaster.

The fail is that the first part is not being sold in game.

Is like saying that Ashe is wrongin being an archer and having Ice powers.

WestTigerOct 18, 20152 votes

And then there was that one time he tried to sneak-attack Jarvan IV solo at the Institute of War during J4's League Judgement. And nearly died.

I just feel he could have probably figured out a better way than literally face-tanking J4 outside of the Rift.

Well with Summoners and the Institute retconned out maybe that little incident never happened now...

MelledoneusOct 19, 20151 votes

And the most interesting thing about Swain is that he removed the aristocracy in Noxus, making it less like Demacia and more of a tyranny and a dictatorship's hybrid child. While this may seem like old news, it is noteworthy that Marcus Du Couteau was one of these aristocrats, although removing him would be a risky move that would spark mutiny in Noxus, because they were a well-respected household that were the ideal Noxian vision. For this reason, Swain planned to silence Du Couteau, but nobody is exactly sure what happened to him. It is so enigmatic that it eludes the deadliest man in Valoran: Talon.

WestTigerOct 19, 20151 votes

It's a benevolent dictatorship, which funfact, is considered the most efficient form of governance, provided the leader is both competent and well, 'benevolent' in so far he cares enough about the people and country to aim for their benefit. I think it's a good approximation of Swain. He is mentioned in his lore several times he is a good leader, and hell he's so good that other generals willingly demote themselves to work under him. That's amazing.

Source: I live in Singapore, which until LKY recently passing away, was effectively under his control all the way long past his time as our official Prime Minister (his son is our current Prime Minister). Again though, because he was so damn good at his job, we had no real complaints (LKY dragged Singapore from third world to first world in less than one lifetime).

Dan SquaredOct 20, 20151 votes

He didn't fully eliminate the aristocracy, the fact that House Du Couteau still exists is testament to that. I think what he eliminated, or at least is in the process of eliminating since we haven't had new Noxus Lore since the JoJ is the entitlement that the great house's had.

The strong families were always protected more in Noxus than the average civilian, but while those families may have been founded or previously led and represented by strong individuals worthy of their status....it had slipped into degradation. Weak individuals unworthy of their status were allowed to keep it based solely on their family name.

Then Darius comes around and starts loping off heads of generals and leaders he deems incompetent, Swain overthrows the leader who let it all happen, and here we are waiting to see just what this New-Noxus entails

MelledoneusOct 20, 20151 votes

Meanwhile, Swain is making a hobby of perusing Boram Darkwill's collection of necromantic tomes. Swain with knowledge of necromancy is as scary as Veigar embracing the Order of Shadow and becoming an untouchable dark sorcerer that can make dark shadow clones to mimic his spells.

MatezoideOct 17, 20153 votes

Eh, i like that his gameplay pattern has nothing to do with tactics.

Mostly because he lampshades it with his joke.

TurquoiseYoshiOct 17, 201516 votes

Shen Best ninja, he taunts people and makes them go toward him. Blitzcrank A robot.... BUT WITH ARMS! LOOK AT HIS ARMS! Galio Nothing says gargoyles like running at people really fast and taunting them. Kennen Sneaky ninja, runs at things really fast and electrocutes everything around him. Poppy Be glad she's getting a rework. Singed Evil mad scientist, can throw people over him head. Warwick I'm a werewolf, gonna teleport to you and sexually assault you to death.

Much logic.

GreenLoreOct 17, 20154 votes

Shen well he can appear out of nowhere and jump at you Galio I think his ult is actually kinda genius,he is a gargoyle,so his ult is him turning into stone(not to mention that gargoyles also protect stuff,which he does with his ult) Kennen honestly I'd say that kennens core theme would be more that he is THE electro master of the game,he is pretty much the brand/janna/malphite/Lux/nocturne for electricity Singed table flip op

TurquoiseYoshiOct 17, 20151 votes

Shen It has a decent channel time, and gives the one being shielded a big obvious particle effect. Galio Him turning into stone would be Lissandra's ult. This is kinda like that, but has a big AoE taunt effect and really doesn't make a whole ton of sense. Kennen With the exception of his title, not once in his lore does it say the word "Electricity" or "Lightning" or "Electro" or "Storm" or "Static" or "Spark" or "Voltage" or... you know what, I'll stop now. Singed Yep pretty much.

NegaDKROct 18, 20154 votes

Galio's ult does make sense. It's called Idol of Durand, in honor of his master whom he failed to protect, so the ult is his way to perform penance, by being able to protect those he cares for bringing all attention towards himself.

GorgannanOct 18, 20157 votes

Galio's ult makes perfect sense. It's literally what I would expect from a big stone gargoyle. My problem with him is his qwe.

He looks like a melee champ, he feels like a melee champ, he should be a melee champ. TBH, I would have given him a kit similar to Braum until Braum came out.

HeresyUntoFedexOct 18, 20151 votes

{quoted}

Not once in his lore does it say the word "Electricity" or "Lightning" or "Electro" or "Storm" or "Static" or "Spark" or "Voltage" or... you know what, I'll stop now.

Damn, they stealth changed Kennen 's title already? Kennen, the Heart of Some Breakfast

TurquoiseYoshiOct 18, 20151 votes

THERE, I CHANGED IT, YOU HAPPY NOW?

HeresyUntoFedexOct 18, 20151 votes

I'm a pre-rework Mordekaiser main, I'll never be happy again.

One thing you have to not is that some things don't have to be said to be conveyed. Kennen in lore was super hyper and energized before joining the ~~hidden lea~~- the Kinkou order, so when he got his super kawaii ninja powers it shouldn't be surprising that they're electricity based, considering moving around alot and energy are often related to electricity, static electricity in the former's case.

TurquoiseYoshiOct 18, 20151 votes

It is true that his energy was very heavily talked about, but it's a stretch to immediately think of electricity when you see it.

HeresyUntoFedexOct 18, 20151 votes

In real life maybe, but this is a fantasy setting. For instance you don't become immortal because some ugly winged guy stabbed you with his bendy sword.

RalanrOct 18, 20153 votes

Well of course not. You have to be really pissed too.

MatezoideOct 18, 20151 votes

To be fair, Ninja's missions werent limited to spy or assassination. A lot of times they were tasked to distract enemies, which is exactly what Shen does.

TurquoiseYoshiOct 18, 20152 votes

True, but then how to you explain his natural tankyness and melee fighting?

ViashinoWizardOct 17, 201520 votes

I didn't choose the Bird Life, the Bird Life chose me.

Angelofchaos16xOct 17, 201510 votes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gc4QTqslN4 You know it #TheBirdIsTheWord

kneel on IceOct 17, 201511 votes

Lissandra ... thought she'd get a halloween skin , they gave it to Jinx and panth who just got new skins

xFrostKnightxOct 17, 20156 votes

I have every single Lissandra skin all.... 2... Just 2....

I was hoping for a Zilean/Sion/Shyvana/Syndra harraowing skin. But we get generic zombie theme skins for champions who always get a skin each year. (Nunu one is fine)

EmittingXsOct 17, 20153 votes

seriously, i dont know what they're waiting for at this point in order to give Lissandra a new skin. her last skin was back in 2014 but that is no excuse when other champs received two skins this year.

CatastropOct 18, 20152 votes

{quoted}

Lissandra ... thought she'd get a halloween skin , they gave it to Jinx and panth who just got new skins

RIGHT!?!?! So many missed opportunities with Liss. They could have given her an Arclight Skin, or maybe just a Gemcraft Chroma Line.

kneel on IceOct 18, 20152 votes

Not chroma please , enough of changing colors , her skins are already like red and green chroma with animations , so she deserves a new better skin , Like Queen of sand or kraken

CatastropOct 19, 20152 votes

Eh alright no Chroma, however it would be cool if they gave a Queen Lissandra Skin. One where she's in her human form.

xFrostKnightxOct 17, 20158 votes

Lisandra will never be forgotten!

I'll be very careful when asking Rito to do something for your champion.

I don't know if you forgot but Swain is on their blacklist. They don't like him.

"Swains new Splash Art gives him too much of an advantage. We've decided to Nerf his R by doubling the mana cost and half its healing to compensate" - Rito

ModAcademy KaynOct 17, 20151 votes

They actually discussed Swain a while ago when someone asked, saying they had no immediate changes for him due to that they believe he is an appropriate spot.

WordofmaskOct 17, 20153 votes

Actually they are planing something for him both gameplay and visual but it still needs quite sometime.

"Swain is being thought about from both Gameplay and Visuals. He'll likely require a good amount of work, so unfortunately there are several people ahead of him in line."

reference: http://www.surrenderat20.net/2015/09/red-post-collection-champion-update.html

IonianOct 17, 20151 votes

{quoted} while Ahri gets 2 in one year.

Is that supposed to be a bad thing?

Angelofchaos16xOct 17, 201510 votes

Never said it was bad, I said that it is unfair that she get more skins, just because she is a fan favorite.

IonianOct 17, 201510 votes

Well, guess I'm too biased to discuss that.

KeevalroyOct 17, 201511 votes

I feel conflicted every time Ahri gets a skin. I mean she's my favorite champion, and I love that she's getting skins...but I know it's unfair that other champions have next to nothing.

GorgannanOct 18, 20152 votes

They give them to the fan favorites, because they sell :P

Blue Moon WolfOct 17, 20151 votes

I do not know why swain doesn't have more people who main him, I get him all the time in ARAM and he is a juggernaut in his own right.

Angelofchaos16xOct 17, 201520 votes

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, rule number one of the Swain Mains: Do not tell people how good he is, or else people will play him and Riot will nerf him.

Blue Moon WolfOct 17, 20157 votes

But I don't main him .__. ... what are you doing with that burlap sack? (and he was never heard from again)

written and produced by Blue Moon Wolf :p

RasCaelestisOct 18, 20152 votes

For a recent example, see: Viktor. Got picked up in pro play for the first time since his release and was immediately nerfed the following patch.

He's still viable, but the nerf hit what was already one of his weakest phases, while doing very little to stop his strong late-game power.

SpecterVonBarenOct 17, 20152 votes

His csing is the worst in the entire game. He has low attack speed, low AD, his auto animation is wonky, and none of his spells are good for clearing waves (While still getting the last hit).

DarkSunSovereignOct 18, 20152 votes

His Tyrant Swain skin improves his auto attack animation by a LOT. But SHHHHHH don't tell or big bad Riot will nerf him.

JSTIN8Oct 18, 20151 votes

Dude, I love swain to death and would play him all day, every day. But MY GOD i would rather try and farm with karthus AAs than swains. Last hitting as him and farming is just the worst thing.