Talk:Swain/@comment-188.2.96.124-20121211195726/@comment-98.251.4.152-20121219223547

When playing Swain, you have to think like a tactican. There is no "Always max this first" skill, because what you need to do with him is different. Facing Morgana? You need to max your w, or she'll push you to death and then kill you while you frantically try to last hit under your tower. Leblanc? I've found w to be another strong leader against her, because you force her to have to use her abilities to push, rather than kill you.

But against Fizz? You probably have to go e, or else you can never win trades against him. And against someone like Malz? Well, you have a choice in either e or q, because malz has zero escapes and no defense, so all you have to do is get up close while he tries to combo you and BAM. Free full-duration q, unless he burns flash.

In short, learn your matchups, and learn which skill counters them best. In fact, this is generally good advice for at least half of League's champions, but that's a different story...