I’m still in Ohio due to a family emergency for my girlfriend, but I’ll be trying to update as often as possible throughout the week. After watching this video, I’m crazy pumped to get back and give Swain a go, but I’m willing to bet he’ll become a highly desirable champion, much like Miss Fortune.

Swain borrows a skill from DotA’s Witch Doctor with Torment, which deals increasing damage based on the damage you deal to the target while Torment is active. From what I remember of Maledict (the DotA version), this is a really fun mechanic and it’s great for bursting down carries when you have a team with a couple targeted nukes.

You’ll also notice from the video that Swain’s ult works like Anivia’s, draining mana as long as it’s active but with unlimited duration and what looks to be a very short cooldown (eight seconds once Phreak has Deathfire Grasp and the golem buff in the video). All in all, I hope you guys have a lot of fun with Swain. I’m looking forward to getting some time with him.

In another early announcement, Riot’s given us the official “champion approaches” forum post before the weekend even got started. Swain is on his way, and like I guessed, that shapeshifting skill is indeed his ultimate.

Here’s the official skill list:
Decrepify: Swain sets his raven to cripple an enemy. Over the next three seconds, the target takes damage over time and is slowed.

Nevermove: Swain marks a target area. After a short delay, mighty talons grab hold of enemy units dealing damage and rooting them.

Torment: Swain afflicts his target, dealing damage over time. During this affliction, a percentage of all damage dealt by Swain is added to the periodic damage of this debuff.

Ravenous Flock (Ultimate): Toggle: Swain transforms into the form of a raven, during this time up to 3 lesser ravens strike out at nearby enemies each second. Swain is healed for half the damage dealt by the Ravens.

Again, pretty pumped about this guy. I like the synergy between his skills, and it’s cool to have another shapeshifter.

Riot’s made the sneak peek announcement for Swain, the Master Tactician. It’s the usual backstory kind of stuff, but if you know how to use Google, it’s not hard to find a little more. I would like to say, this info was leaked elsewhere. Riot’s been issuing bans to people responsible for leaking information, but my test realm client hasn’t been working for a couple months. Let’s do the usual fluff, first:

Here at Riot Games, we’re making every attempted to ensure that we deliver exciting champions to even the most twisted and deviant of human minds. So if you’re a budding veterinarian or ornithologist, it’s now your turn to start getting excited. Meet Swain, the Master Tactician. In addition to being a distinguished Noxian gentleman of impeccable wealth and taste, Swain also just happens to be a fan of our feathered friends. And like some people who wind up at the League of Legends, well… let’s just say that he’s much more than meets the eye.

More than meets the eye, indeed. Here’s a tentative skill list:

Passive: Carrion Renewal: Swain gains 150% increased mana regeneration for 5 seconds upon killing a unit. Note: This looks like another great passive

(Q)Decrepify – Swain sets his raven to cripple an enemy. Over the
next three seconds, the target of Decrepify takes damage over time and is slowed.

(W)Nevermove – Swain marks a target area. After a short delay, mighty talons grab hold of enemy units dealing damage and rooting them.

(E) Ravenous Flock – Swain inspires dread in his enemies by temporarily taking the form of a raven. During this time ravens strike out at up to 3 nearby enemies. Each raven deals damage and heals Swain for the same amount.

(R)Torment – Swain afflicts his target, dealing damage over time. Each tick deals additional damage based on a percent of all damage taken from Swain during Torment (this includes the spell’s periodic damage).

Check out the picture of his Ravenous Flock. I am a little surprised that the shapeshift isn’t his ult, but that could be subject to change prior to release. I can’t say I’m crazy about his ult being a simple damage increase, but hopefully it turns out to be a little fun. I can’t wait for this guy to launch.