#Give Swain a Haircut

Malicious Metal·Jan 23, 2018·215 votes·7,882 views

I think we can all agree that New!Swain looks a lot like Malfoy cosplaying Vladimir and his overall visual style seems to differ a lot from his old self.

My main issue with the reworked Swain is the lack of full on Demon Bird Transformation during his R and of course....His bloody hair!

I honestly think the long hair does not fit him at all and with a few simple tweaks he could look even more menacing and closer to the old Swain we all knew, loved and never played.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/299493047899521024/405439231868272660/image.jpg (Props for the guys over at R/Swainmains for this nifty little tweak)

It makes him look older, more like a GRAND GENERAL, and overall fits his more.

So please Riot, consider changing this little detail about Swain.

145 Comments

RalanrJan 23, 2018104 votes

Short hair feels more closer to the military. I approve.

ThefrostyvikingJan 23, 201821 votes

Maybe something towards Tywin Lannister in game of thrones?

That and Beatrice is completely missing in-game :v

HupsisJan 23, 20182 votes

My thoughts exactly!

I think the raven on his shoulder is Beatrice... She might be the demon that gave him the magical arm.

HeimerLmaoJan 23, 201812 votes

What if Beatrice... IS THE ARM?

ThefrostyvikingJan 23, 201813 votes

On the splash yeah, but Beatrice was always around in game too, feels empty with her being gone :(

IxtaliKingJan 23, 201813 votes

Short hair is definitely more military... but long hair is more warlock.

revliledpembrokeJan 23, 201813 votes

Actually, long hair was the norm in many of the old armies for quite some time. The Greeks, in particular, typically wore long hair (until they didn't) because to have short hair was to be associated with slaves. Because there was a danger of an enemy grabbing it in battle, however, the Greeks would cut the hair short in the front, but leave it long in the back, potentially inventing the first mullet.

dimiondoJan 23, 201850 votes

Honestly the only thing i can complain about this rework is the visuals, How could they remove swains bird transformation literally the most iconic part of him and why would they decide he needs to have vlads hair. If those 2 things were fixed the rework would be exceptional but until they are it will just sort of be, meh especially because of how dull the ult now looks.

Ludens PulseJan 23, 20186 votes

his old ult looked so cool, his triple mohawk was my favorite thing. On top of that he does do his pimp walk with his cane anymore. you cant get rid of that

SirButtplugJan 24, 20182 votes

Yes! Bring back his old flair no this saruman rip off

GreenHydraliskJan 23, 201821 votes

True the short hair looks much better

KuroCaliberJan 23, 201817 votes

Lol when you go from Lucius Malfoy to Tywin Lannister.

UrqorakJan 23, 20188 votes

I could honestly get on board with Tywin Lannister Swain

LordForrestJan 23, 201812 votes

When I first heard mention that Swain was going to be a Silver Fox, I was fully expecting short hair and a beard/goatee combo. While his new look isn't horrible, it is disappointing.

I can deal with it though since I probably will only use Tyrant or the new badass Northern Front, but I would totally love if they did change it.

BlitzidiousJan 23, 201810 votes

Eh, I can deal with his current hairstyle. I don't think it's all that bad, to be honest.

It's worth mentioning though, that I use Tyrant Swain. So, yeah. Helmet.

Lios AshenbladeJan 23, 201810 votes

You leave Daddy Grey Mane alone

SancreJan 23, 20189 votes

Why is Frollo from the hunchback of Notre Dame surrounded by crows and why does he have a red arm?

AlmightyJan 23, 20189 votes

#NO!

Long gray hair is a symbol of age and wisdom. Two traits that are core identity to Swain. Not to mention that NO OTHER HAIRSTYLE could possibly fit new Swain so perfectly. You want Swain to "get a haircut"? Well then, what do you suggest? Faux Hawk? Mohawk? Sidecut? Afro? Or do you just want that weird blue man bun back? No other hairstyle speaks "respectable leader of Noxus" like long grey hair does!

Also, i think i should remind everyone that Vladimir is also on the radar for a Visual Upgrade.

http://www.auplod.com/u/dpoula9d885.png

RendrexJan 24, 20183 votes

I'm gonna vote for Mohawk

SirButtplugJan 24, 20182 votes

Yes TRIPLE MOHWAWK is de way not some generic geriatric trash.

SheogowrathJan 24, 20189 votes

Yeah, was very disappointed with how much Swain changed. He really doesn't feel like Swain anymore - not visually, not gameplay. They essentially deleted an old champion and created a new one instead of doing a rework. Not even his personality is the same. What's he doing with pretty boy hair like that? Swain is the furthest thing from a pretty boy and I loved that about him. He was my main AP champ, and now he's gone. I don't even like the way the Tyrant Skin that I have looks anymore. One of my favorite champs has died. item 3070

StexeJan 23, 20188 votes

Completely agree. I liked the old balding Swain. There aren't enough balding characters in media in general, let alone in video games.

EasiestBestGodJan 23, 20187 votes

༼ つ ◕◕ ༽つ RAISE YOUR SCISSORS ༼ つ ◕◕ ༽つ GIVE SWAIN HAIRCUT ༼ つ ◕_◕ ༽つ

PokladnicaZlaJan 23, 20187 votes

When they said he would be a "silver-fox" I imagined short slick hair.Myb pulled back? But,short.

When I saw him, one of my first thoughts was Vladimir?

Tactical BarrelsJan 24, 20187 votes

This actually looks so much better, +1.

SettDownShutUpJan 24, 20187 votes

I'm not sure this is a reasonable change, but I agree that he's a little too close to vladimir in my opinion.

Mateus MaliceJan 24, 20187 votes

I agreed with everything say in this post. I alway loved Swain I'm quite sad about his new look but the tweak make him look way better. Hope he can get Beatrice back too.

RecuroJan 24, 20186 votes

Agree he looks much better with short hair. While they're at it I'd like it if they covered up his mouth again too. I mean I knew changing his color scheme was unavoidable but he should look at least a little closer to the original.

VoidzillaJan 24, 20186 votes

I've been supportive of most of the latest VGUs, but this time...

Kit-wise I'm fine. Visually though...seriously, the cane and the limp and the mouth-cover could go (they would've been nice to retain, but they weren't necessary), but why remove the awesome demon bird transformation? Instead of just growing wings and having his eyes glow red to look like discount-Aatrox, there could've at least been a giant ethereal, somewhat transparent crow head over his own (like the one that appears for a second upon activation). And of course, the hair. Just...why? Long hair just raises concerns and further alienates fans of the old appearance, while retaining short hair would've been perfectly fine.

Overall, this is the first time in a while (since Trundle and Karma ) that I've actually been disappointed with the visual aspect of a VGU. I suppose this is what Galio and Sion players must've felt like, but even then: Old Galio didn't really have anything going for him aesthetically, if I'm going to be honest. He was just a generic gargoyle with a hideous blue-and-yellow color palette. Old Sion was a mess. He was a goofy green dead weightlifter that looked more appropriate for a game like Plants vs. Zombies.

Both those characters didn't have much going for them from a visual-standpoint, but Swain ? He had his raven motif and Beatrice perched on his shoulder. He had his cane and limp that gave him a unique animation. He had his demonic transformation (that actually turned him into a demon). There was plenty worth retaining. But instead this seems more like a Blood Lord Vladimir VU or Malfoy/wizened-Legolas entering League.

My first concern regarding VGUs in a long time, I do hope the team behind Swain's updated look seriously considers editing his model to make him more recognizable as...well...Swain. As the OP mentioned, just cutting his hair would be good. Making him appear more as a monstrous raven demon instead of just a dude with wings during ult would be fantastic.

#GiveSwainAHaircut

The TrentJan 24, 20185 votes

I honestly would love a haircut. Like seriously. I'm so sick of all the champions that would look super cool (in my opinion) with shorter hair (yasuo, literally only Yasuo. I don't like Yasuo, but he would be so much better looking without that giant thing behind his head.) I'm sick of long hair always winning. Give us short hair swain! PLEASE!

PaffWasTakenJan 24, 20184 votes

His general facial appearance dosen't make him look fierce enought and the long hair is making it even worse

MDayRJan 24, 20184 votes

YES !

Talon12Jan 24, 20184 votes

I like it, its better than the whole Lucius Malfoy vibe he has otherwise, also looks like a vet general.

Not to mention it actually looks menacing in comparison with the deep shadows near his face

Lord GalvatronJan 24, 20184 votes

Although both sides have compelling arguments. One cannot argue against the fact that his new kit and abilities are similar in appearance to Vladimirs. Having a more visual distinction in appearance (since Vladimir already has the long billowing white hair) would be a nice touch.

Also being a military leader of Noxus, a similar haircut to that of Darius (short) would be more fitting. Need I remind everyone that Swain is the leader of Noxus first, and a sorcerer second.

In my personal opinion I feel like we have way too many characters with long hair atm and it feels like a Pegasus lookalike contest when I see all these male champions with long flowing hair.

Edit: to the person who keeps spam downvoting the comments in agreement with MM, your actions will not get you a job as a moderator by mindlessly defending Riot for their decisions.

Forhonor321Jan 24, 20184 votes

I'm partially fine with either to be honest. I don't really mind having the Lucias Malfoy look to him, hell I kinda welcome it. Idk, I find it a bit fitting in a way.

However, I do also like the edit here. It looks a lot more in mind of what I pictured him when I first viewed his teaser and he strikes more of a Tywin Lannister look, which considering his voice over feels a bit more appropriate.

So yeah, I'm down for this.

SukishooJan 25, 20184 votes

Reav3 confirmed that no changes will be made

IxtaliKingJan 23, 20183 votes

I can see why they went with long hair from design stand point, but I get what you're saying. The short hair is more 'Swain'.

IrokaiserJan 23, 20183 votes

He still looks like malfoy tbh https://heroichollywood.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Harry-Potter-Lucius-Malfoy.jpg?x42694

LostFr0stJan 24, 20183 votes

I agree that long hair and his current silhouette looks too much like Vlad.

The particles also being red and somewhat similar is overkill.

About the wings:

My gut is telling me that these stiff particle wings are a rough copy/test for the future of wings in league. I don't like Swain's new wings as they are. A bit too wispy.

First we had Xayah/Rakan for the textures, now Swain with actual good-sized wings. I'm feeling the Kayle/Morg update here Riot.

ModAcademy KaynJan 25, 20183 votes

As someone whose been a big Swain fan for a long time, I really don't see it that big of a deal. I'd be more upset if they changed something actually important with him.

TheDeviceJan 23, 20182 votes

I actually dig this. The long hair is very Lucian Malfoy (which is okay) but this give him a stronger, more militant look.

ZazzexJan 24, 20182 votes

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN I PRESENT TO YOU YOUR NEW CHAMPION!

Poop JellyJan 24, 20182 votes

Is that... Draco Malfoy's father? #HarryPotter

Baron of BreadJan 24, 20182 votes

The second thing I thought after looking at the Swain rework page was "Wait, does he have long hair? Why does he have long hair?"

The first thing I thought was general giddy-excitement since I have been looking forward to this. (I don't main Swain, but I play him whenever I think it works in the team)

AebelJan 24, 20182 votes

As i play with Swan in Pbe i found out Ravens starts spawning around the wall as he walks

Tesla EffectJan 24, 20182 votes

Last time they gave Swain a haircut, he had bald spots all over his head.

XIII VanitasJan 24, 20182 votes

I would really like Swain with short hair, but I'm pretty confident Riot won't change them because of the extra work.

Also, why don't people ever share the original reddit?

Sexy Jack RabbitJan 24, 20181 votes

Makes him look way too old and gross...

SheogowrathJan 24, 20188 votes

[{quoted}](name=Sexy Jack Rabbit,realm=OCE,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=dUfY4Zh2,comment-id=002b,timestamp=2018-01-24T01:16:49.308+0000)

Makes him look way too old and gross...

You have more than enough young pretty boys running about in league. If that's your preference, take your pick. This is Swain. He's old and decrepit. If you don't like it, GTFO!