Talk:Swain/@comment-3107063-20120327135809/@comment-4642730-20120329003449

Don't use your abilities to last hit creeps. Harass with E + one auto. If you land a snare, combo with Q+E if you have the mana. If they're even a little bit low on health, land the snare and drop everything on them, including ignite. Then simply walk alongside them in raven form as they run away on fire and tormented. This can kill some mid squishies even at full health.

I usually run with Ignite and Teleport when soloing mid. His innate sustain from his passive is enhanced by teleport, and he will frequently be two or more levels above everyone else if you're religious about getting back in lane and staying there.

I almost always start boots + 3 pots--It helps get your combos off, since your E and Q have a shorter range than your W. If the other team is tanky, I'll buy a Kage's lucky pick early and finish into DFG late game (E + DFG can take off half health or even more with some AP--pay attention to their off-tanks without Magic resistance). Rod of Ages and Will of the Ancients are also great on him. After that, I'll usually just go deathcap/situational. Honestly, after RoA and WotA for the tankiness and sustain, a good offense is also a good defense on Swain due to his R. Lots of AP after that core build will net you some insane healing power while dishing out stupid damage. Adding resistances to this mix makes you even harder to take down, so definitely consider Abyssal Scepter or Zhonya's if they're heavy on AP or AD.

If I manage to fill all slots with maxed out items, I will end with Void Staff, sell the sorc boots and buy the cooldown boots to dish out maximum pain.