AP Swain Build

AP Swain Build.

AP Swain build with runes and items. AP Swain guide offers in-depth how-to play, skill order and tips. Play AP Swain build in League of Legends Patch 25.08!

Author: Wrekah

TLDR

Starting items
Lost Chapter should be final item in your build.
Quick Skill Order
Swain ability Death's Hand should be leveled first.
Q
Swain ability Vision of Empire should be leveled second.
W
Swain ability Nevermove should be leveled third.
E
Final items
Sorcerer's Shoes should be final item in your build.
Zhonya's Hourglass should be final item in your build.
Shadowflame should be final item in your build.
Rabadon's Deathcap should be final item in your build.
Void Staff should be final item in your build.
Luden's Companion should be final item in your build.
Quick Runes
Major rune Conqueror from Precision tree.
Minor rune Domination.
Summoner spells
Pick Mark as your Summoner Spell.
Pick Flash as your Summoner Spell.

AP Swain Runes

Precision
Precision major tree Press the Attack rune.
Precision major tree Lethal Tempo rune.
Precision major tree Fleet Footwork rune.
Precision major tree Conqueror rune.
Precision major tree Absorb Life rune.
Precision major tree Triumph rune.
Precision major tree Presence of Mind rune.
Precision major tree Legend: Alacrity rune.
Precision major tree Legend: Haste rune.
Precision major tree Legend: Bloodline rune.
Precision major tree Coup de Grace rune.
Precision major tree Cut Down rune.
Precision major tree Last Stand rune.
Domination
Domination minor tree Cheap Shot rune.
Domination minor tree Taste of Blood rune.
Domination minor tree Sudden Impact rune.
Domination minor tree Sixth Sense rune.
Domination minor tree Grisly Mementos rune.
Domination minor tree Deep Ward rune.
Domination minor tree Treasure Hunter rune.
Domination minor tree Relentless Hunter rune.
Domination minor tree Ultimate Hunter rune.
Passive
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Attack Speed rune (+10% Attack Speed).
Passive tree Ability Haste rune (+8 Ability Haste).
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Move Speed rune (+2 Movement Speed).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).
Passive tree Health rune (+65 Health).
Passive tree Tenacity And Slow Resist rune (+10 Tenacity and Slow Resist).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).

How it works

General

  1. You play poke oriented Mage.
  2. You rush Luden's Companion.
  3. You build AP items, going full damage.

How to play

General

  1. Playing AP Swain build, your default rush is Luden's Companion. In cases, when an enemy team is full of tanks and HP stackers, go Liandry's Torment.
  2. Adapt to an enemy team. Are they full of tanks, and they rush tons of Magic Resist? You rush Void Staff as #2 or #3 item to counter MR stacking. Their team has champs with lots of healing? Rush Oblivion Orb as #2 item (upgrade to Morellonomicon as 4th or 5th item).
  3. Somebody is going after you each fight? Always getting ulted by enemy assassins? Rush Zhonya's Hourglass.

Tips and Tricks

Champion

  1. You can use Vision of Empire (W) to stop enemies taking portal (frost-gate). Time it well, and they will need to walk, and you will get the turret!
  2. Vision of Empire (W) trick works even better with all DoTs effects (Liandry's Anguish and Demonic Embrace).
  3. Enemies in your base? Use Demonic Ascension (R) before taking portal (frost-gate), this way you damage everyone on your way.
  4. Did you just catch someone with your Nevermove (E)? Do not use second E right away, but use it at the very last moment for maximum CC.
  5. After you catch someone with your Nevermove (E), you can set up Vision of Empire (W) for a certain hit.

Riot

  1. If you're having trouble rooting an enemy with Nevermove, try throwing it at opponents when they are near their minions so the explosion surprises them.
  2. While laning, try to use Death's Hand's piercing damage to damage opponents from a safe distance.
  3. Vision of Empire is quite difficult to land on its own, look for skirmishes around the map where enemies may be distracted or crowd controlled so you can land it more easily.
  4. Demonic Ascension may make Swain very hard to kill but he's pretty easy to get away from. Try building items that can slow opponents to keep them in range if their mobility is overwhelming.

Skill Order

  • Swain [object Object] ability.
    Q
    Death's Hand
  • Swain [object Object] ability.
    W
    Vision of Empire
  • Swain [object Object] ability.
    E
    Nevermove
  • Swain [object Object] ability.
    R
    Demonic Ascension

Items

Starting items
Lost Chapter item.
Rush this
Luden's Companion item.
Rush this vs. tanks
Liandry's Torment item.
Boots
Sorcerer's Shoes item.
Ionian Boots of Lucidity item.
For mana problems
Seraph's Embrace item.
Rod of Ages item.
Tear of the Goddess item.
Good items
Blackfire Torch item.
Rabadon's Deathcap item.
Horizon Focus item.
Shadowflame item.
Malignance item.
Situational items
Banshee's Veil item.
Zhonya's Hourglass item.
Morellonomicon item.
Against high MR
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Void Staff item.
Cryptbloom item.
Counter high HP
Liandry's Torment item.
Counter healing
Oblivion Orb item.
Morellonomicon item.
For the last fight
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Elixir of Sorcery item.
Elixir of Iron item.
Seeker's Armguard item.
Example final build
Sorcerer's Shoes item.
Zhonya's Hourglass item.
Shadowflame item.
Rabadon's Deathcap item.
Void Staff item.
Luden's Companion item.