Talk:Swain/@comment-24966592-20161215020042/@comment-5256197-20161216100213

My core items have dropped quite significantly with the MYMU. Now my core is just Zhonya and Catalyst (I often go with that icy-hextech-thing). After those I build as follows:

If behind, one usually needs to go defense first: Spirit Visage, Abyssal Sceptre for MR, and Frozen Heart (or even Randuin if in dire need) for armor. Abyssal and SV are good items for him regardless, and always end up with one of those even when fed.

If you have a team of squishies with you, I go with Rylai's for extra peel. And if the enemy is real tanky, follow it with Void Staff and Liandry's.

If you need to apply Grievous Wounds, Swain is your man. Morellonomicon also alleviates your mana problems if you have any. Archangel is pretty good too, for maximum mana and that shield, he likes both of those things. Though I usually can cover my spellcastings with just that Catalyst (and his passive).

When dominating I usually end up with Rabadon's. It really doesn't have any real synergy with Swain, but hey, you are a mage and you got the best damage item now. You will melt faces faster with your really good AP ratios.

For boots I go with Ninja Tabis or Sorc's, again depending on the situation. Some rare cases call for Merc's, but usually he doesn't care about CC when you got your ult going and Zhonyas.

Last thing to look for is CDR, and that you don't go overboard with it. You got 10% from your core (Zhonya), and many mentioned above give a lot more. And while everyone benefits from CDR, Swain REALLY doesn't need that much. I run him with my basic mage runes with 10%, but I should give him his own page...