Talk:Swain/@comment-71.9.121.209-20120923200821/@comment-5018910-20120924122957

Rod of Ages is a core item for him. It gives him the most benefits due to the hp, mana and AP.

For boots, it is either a sorcerer's boots or merc threads. I usually buy merc threads if the enemy has a handful of CCs.

For subsequent items, Deathcap, Hourglass and Abyssal scepter is wonderful on him. Abyssal scepter was nerfed but the magic resists and reduction is still strong on Swain.

Hourglass is there to get you out of nasty situation.

In short: RoA, Preferred boots, Deathcap/Abyssal and Hourglass. Subsequent items after this is all up to you.