E is Swain’s credibility spell, not just his catch: use Q to keep lane honest, use W to bend the path first, and only throw E once their movement has narrowed, because a missed E tells the lane you have no real threat for the next several seconds
Mid Swain gets unusually big value from W second max, since the extra reach lets you break recalls, force escape routes, and influence side fights before you arrive, so side waves are mainly there to stage your next appearance rather than to become a long isolated duel
Swain’s best games are the ones where level 6 and midgame fights keep people stuck near him long enough for R, repeat Qs, and slows to keep paying, and the recent data fits that more than the usual “just wait forever and scale” read
Press R when the fight is about to stay connected, not just when someone enters range for a second. The best Swain ult is the one that starts as a commit or re-commit happens: a diver has gone in, a frontliner has stepped too far, or both teams are stuck contesting space they cannot immediately leave. If you ult too early, people simply back out and you spend the spell to watch them walk away. If you ult too late, you lose health before your kit starts paying you back. Think of R as the moment you tell the fight it now has to happen near you.
Swain's ravens collect Soul Fragments that heal him and permanently increase his maximum health.
Swain unleashes several bolts of eldritch power that pierce through enemies. Enemies hit take more damage for each bolt they are struck by.
Swain opens a demon eye that deals damage and slows enemies. Champions hit are revealed and also grant Swain a Soul Fragment.
Swain launches a wave of demonic power forward. It then returns to Swain and roots enemies it hits. Swain can then choose to pull all rooted champions closer. This ability has a shorter cooldown during Demonic Ascension.
Swain transforms into a demon and drains health from nearby enemy champions, minions, and neutral monsters. Swain can cast Demonflare to decimate and slow nearby enemies with a nova of soulfire. This form is indefinite as long as Swain drains enemy champions.