This post is about as long overdue as they come, but I just got my first chance to test Swain and all I can say is, I understand all of the complaints. Despite having one of the cooler character models, a great looking ult, an interesting design concept, and a nice AOE cc, Swain has a tough time farming and, thanks to his low AP ratios, a tough time turning a kill.

I think the biggest problem Swain faces is that his design was changed last minute so that he no longer had a Maledict type spell. The fact that Torment now only increases the damage you deal at a flat rate means you have to stay right on top of your target to give respectable damage. The obvious problem there is that Swain is a caster, not someone you want in the mix. Plain and simple, Swain was rushed out, released too quickly when Riot decided that the Maledict mechanic wasn’t readily identifiable to young players.

Swain also suffers from his low cooldown ult. I’d much rather see it deal respectable damage, be capable of keeping him alive in a fight than the current mediocre damage/negligible heal combo he has. His ult is his only real farming tool as well, which is a big problem if you don’t have much AP. A full ult is incapable, in many cases, of even killing off caster minions. That’s a big problem.

If you’re an experienced Googler, you know a lot of this stuff is set to change, but for now, Swain remains near the very bottom of my ranked-game-viable toon list. We’ll see how he looks tomorrow.

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.