Swain, one of League of Legends’ most iconic champions, is set to receive a significant rework in the upcoming patches. Riot Games’ Freak recently discussed these changes in detail, highlighting their intention to make Swain more viable in various roles, particularly as a mid laner and AP carry, while addressing his current struggles as a support.
Why the Swain Rework?
Despite having a high win rate across multiple roles and elos, Swain currently lacks the fun factor that makes a champion feel rewarding to play. His strongest role, support, also happens to be his weakest in terms of win rate, making it clear that adjustments are necessary. Riot’s goal is to make Swain more enjoyable and effective, especially in farming roles, while ensuring he remains competitive against both melee and ranged champions.
Ability Changes: What to Expect
Nevermove (Q)
Swain’s Q will see improvements to make it more effective against ranged champions. Currently, it excels mainly against melee targets, but the upcoming changes will reduce its mana cost and make it more reliable in a broader range of situations. This adjustment is crucial for Swain’s consistency in mid-lane matchups.
Vision of Empire (W)
Riot acknowledges that Swain’s W doesn’t quite fit the rest of his kit, feeling more like an out-of-place ability rather than a core part of his battle mage identity. While specific changes haven’t been fully detailed, the W will likely see adjustments to its AP ratios and overall power, making it feel more integrated with Swain’s other abilities.
Nevermove (E)
One of the most significant changes will be to Swain’s E, making it faster and more consistent. The rework aims to remove the clunkiness and lag currently associated with the missile, ensuring it accelerates smoothly and is harder to dodge. Importantly, the E will no longer be blocked by minions when it returns to Swain, improving its effectiveness against both melee and ranged champions.
Demonic Ascension (R)
Swain’s ultimate is set for big changes, with two possible rework directions under consideration. One option is to allow multiple Demonflare explosions during the ultimate’s duration, triggered by draining enemy health. The other option involves an instant Demonflare explosion upon activation, followed by a damage-over-time effect for the rest of the ultimate. Both options aim to make Swain’s R more impactful in fights, creating new combo opportunities and enhancing his role as a formidable AP carry.
What Does This Mean for Swain Players?
These changes are designed to refine Swain’s identity as a battle mage, making him more fun and effective in his intended roles. The adjustments to his abilities, particularly his Q, E, and R, should help Swain excel in both mid-lane duels and larger team fights, giving players more opportunities to showcase his power.
If you’re a Swain main or simply interested in learning more about these updates, keep an eye on Riot Games’ official patch notes for the latest information on when these changes will go live.
As the rework approaches, it will be interesting to see how these updates impact Swain’s playstyle and performance across different levels of play. Whether you’re a veteran Swain player or new to the champion, these changes are sure to bring a fresh experience to the battlefield.
