10 Best Champions To Counter Swain In League of Legends

Swain is a powerful battlemage in League of Legends, known for his high sustain, crowd control, and AoE damage. With his Ravenous Flock (Passive), he can pull enemies in and heal off them, making him difficult to kill in extended fights. His Demonic Ascension (R) gives him massive healing and AoE damage, making him a strong frontline presence. However, Swain has clear weaknesses, such as low mobility, reliance on extended fights, and vulnerability to burst damage and healing reduction. The best way to counter him is by picking champions that can burst him down quickly, apply Grievous Wounds, or kite him effectively. In this article, we’ll go over the 10 best champions to counter Swain and prevent him from dominating fights.

#10 Ekko

Ekko is a strong counter to Swain due to his high burst damage, mobility, and ability to reset fights. While Swain relies on extended fights to heal and deal consistent damage, Ekko can quickly engage, burst him down, and disengage before Swain can sustain through the damage. His Phase Dive (E) allows him to dodge Swain’s Nevermove (E) root, making it harder for Swain to lock him down.

The biggest counter to Swain is Chronobreak (R), which lets Ekko heal back any damage taken and reposition safely after an engage, making it difficult for Swain to win trades. Since Swain struggles against high-mobility assassins who can burst him before he heals up, Ekko forces him into a matchup where he is constantly at risk of getting one-shot without being able to fight back effectively.

#9: Akali

Akali is a strong counter to Swain due to her high burst damage, mobility, and ability to avoid his crowd control. Swain relies on hitting his Nevermove (E) root to pull in enemies and sustain through extended fights, but Akali’s Shuriken Flip (E) and Twilight Shroud (W) allow her to dodge his abilities and reposition freely.

The biggest counter to Swain is Perfect Execution (R), which lets Akali burst him down before he can heal up with Demonic Ascension (R). Since Swain struggles against high-mobility assassins who can kite him, dodge his skill shots, and kill him before he sustains, Akali forces him into a matchup where he is constantly at risk of being eliminated before he can become a threat in fights.

#8: Zoe

Zoe is a strong counter to Swain due to her long-range poke, burst damage, and ability to keep her distance. Swain excels in extended fights where he can heal and deal sustained damage, but Zoe can burst him down before he gets the chance to activate Demonic Ascension (R). Her Paddle Star (Q) allows her to poke Swain from a safe distance, making it difficult for him to engage on her.

The biggest counter to Swain is Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E), which puts him to sleep, making him vulnerable to an all-in before he can heal back up. Since Swain struggles against long-range poke champions who can burst him down before he gets into range, Zoe forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty closing the gap and sustaining through fights.

#7: Lissandra

Lissandra is a strong counter to Swain due to her crowd control, burst damage, and ability to deny his healing. Swain thrives in extended fights where he can sustain with Demonic Ascension (R), but Lissandra can lock him down and burst him before he has a chance to heal up. Her Ring of Frost (W) provides an AoE root, preventing Swain from moving freely and forcing him to take unfavorable trades.

The biggest counter to Swain is Frozen Tomb (R), which completely shuts him down by either locking him in place or making Lissandra untargetable while dealing AoE damage. Since Swain struggles against burst mages who can control the fight and prevent him from healing, Lissandra forces him into a matchup where he is constantly at risk of being CC-chained and eliminated before he can become a threat.

#6: Hwei

Hwei is a strong counter to Swain due to his long-range poke, burst damage, and ability to keep Swain from engaging. Swain excels in extended fights where he can heal through sustained combat, but Hwei can zone him out, poke him from a safe distance, and burst him down before he can sustain. His Calamitous Strike (Q) and Devastating Fire (W) allow him to deal significant damage without ever having to get close, making it difficult for Swain to land his abilities.

The biggest counter to Swain is Spirit Cleave (E), which slows Swain and makes it even harder for him to engage or escape once caught. Since Swain struggles against long-range mages who can poke him down before he gets into range, Hwei forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty sustaining and engaging effectively, making him much less effective in both lane and teamfights.

#5: Syndra

Syndra is a strong counter to Swain due to her high burst damage, long-range poke, and ability to keep him at a distance. Swain relies on extended fights to heal and deal sustained damage, but Syndra can burst him down before he has a chance to activate Demonic Ascension (R). Her Dark Spheres (Q) and Scatter the Weak (E) allow her to poke Swain while keeping him away from fights, making it difficult for him to engage.

The biggest counter to Swain is Unleashed Power (R), which lets Syndra instantly delete him before he can heal up. Since Swain struggles against burst mages who can kill him quickly and prevent him from sustaining, Syndra forces him into a matchup where he has difficulty closing the gap and becoming a frontline presence in teamfights.

#4: Qiyana

Qiyana is a strong counter to Swain due to her high burst damage, mobility, and ability to disrupt teamfights. Swain relies on extended fights and healing through Demonic Ascension (R), but Qiyana can quickly burst him down before he has a chance to sustain. Her Elemental Wrath / Edge of Ixtal (Q) deals massive damage, and her Terrashape (W) provides mobility to dodge Swain’s skill shots.

The biggest counter to Swain is Supreme Display of Talent (R), which stuns him when used against terrain, preventing him from healing and turning fights in Qiyana’s favor. Since Swain struggles against assassins who can burst him down and avoid his crowd control, Qiyana forces him into a matchup where he has little time to react before being eliminated.

#3: Galio

Galio is a strong counter to Swain due to his tankiness, crowd control, and magic damage resistance. Swain relies on extended fights and sustained magic damage, but Galio’s Shield of Durand (W) grants bonus magic resistance and a taunt, making it difficult for Swain to deal meaningful damage. His Colossal Smash (Passive) and Winds of War (Q) allow him to trade effectively, while his AoE crowd control can disrupt Swain’s healing.

The biggest counter to Swain is Hero’s Entrance (R), which allows Galio to join fights from anywhere and knock up multiple enemies, making it easy to disrupt Swain’s positioning and deny his sustain. Since Swain struggles against tanky champions who can engage, absorb damage, and prevent him from healing, Galio forces him into a matchup where he can’t dominate fights and gets punished for extended trades.

#2: Naafiri

Naafiri is a strong counter to Swain due to her high burst damage, mobility, and ability to chase him down. Swain relies on extended fights to heal and deal sustained damage, but Naafiri’s quick all-ins and high DPS make it difficult for him to survive long enough to sustain. Her Darkin Daggers (Q) applies Grievous Wounds, reducing Swain’s healing and making him much less durable in fights.

The biggest counter to Swain is The Call of the Pack (R), which grants Naafiri bonus movement speed and lets her close the gap instantly, preventing Swain from safely kiting. Since Swain struggles against high-mobility assassins who can burst him down before he gets to heal, Naafiri forces him into a matchup where he is constantly at risk of getting caught and eliminated before he can have an impact.

#1: Ryze

Ryze is the best counter to Swain due to his high DPS, mobility, and ability to outscale him in extended fights. While Swain relies on healing and crowd control to survive in fights, Ryze’s Overload (Q) and Spell Flux (E) allow him to deal consistent burst damage while kiting Swain effectively. His ability to reposition quickly with Phase Rush (Rune) makes it hard for Swain to land his Nevermove (E) root, denying his main form of engage.

The biggest counter to Swain is Realm Warp (R), which allows Ryze to reposition himself or his team, making it difficult for Swain to lock down key targets in fights. Since Swain struggles against high-DPS mages who can kite him and deal sustained damage while avoiding his healing, Ryze forces him into a matchup where he can’t keep up in trades and gets outmaneuvered in teamfights.

Conclusion

Swain is a powerful battlemage with strong sustain and crowd control, but he struggles against champions who can burst him down, apply healing reduction, or kite him effectively. High-mobility assassins like Naafiri and Qiyana can dodge his abilities and kill him before he has time to heal. Long-range mages like Zoe, Syndra, and Hwei can poke him down and keep him out of range, making it difficult for him to engage. Tanky disruptors like Galio and Lissandra can lock him down and prevent him from sustaining in fights. By choosing champions that can deny his healing, avoid his crowd control, and burst him down quickly, you can shut down Swain before he becomes a threat in teamfights.