Swain: plunder into a spell-and-skill damage engine

Swain turns early enemy Nexus damage into stronger spell and Skill damage. The usual picks are his signature, a Plunder discount and entry barrages. This five-star setup has the starting mana to deploy him early; six stars adds a different damage-spreading payoff. The third slot is debated rather than universally fixed.

Swain's Raven Army

Power: Game Start: Drain 5 from the enemy Nexus.
Play: If I'm Swain, refill your spell mana.

The starting damage immediately helps activate Plunder and advances the missing-health damage engine.

Packed Powder

Plunder: I cost 2 less.
I have +1|+1 for each different round you've damaged the enemy Nexus.

The Plunder discount brings the five-cost champion into play earlier, and repeated Nexus-damage rounds grow his stats.

Riptide Battery

Plunder: Play Cannon Barrage a number of times equal to my cost.

Once Plunder is active, the Play-triggered barrages provide a concentrated set of damage skills. This third slot comes from the popular Turn 1 Nuke build.

Swain's Raven Army, Packed Powder and Riptide Battery is a well-tested combination. Its entry skills can level Swain quickly when enough damage resolves; enemy protection and available targets still matter.

Let the signature starting damage establish Plunder, then check the discounted champion cost. Develop Legion Saboteur when it helps your opening, and use Death's Hand or Pirouette to remove threats while damaging the Nexus.

When the champion comes down, an active Plunder trigger enables the barrage relic. Continue dealing separate spell and Skill damage to exploit the three-star bonus. The six-star upgrade spreads damage to other enemies, but this build doesn't need it.

Found Fortune is a popular alternative when you own the constellation upgrade that lowers Enraged Firespitter to four cost. Check the eligible follower pool after drafting: another qualifying card can change what it draws. The removal and healing from that card serve a different purpose from entry barrages.

The Scourge's Stash is a rare substitute for the epic Plunder discount. A separately discussed Disciple of Shadows and Dreadway Chase Gun approach uses allied bodies and extra burn, but filling the board first can be fragile against early enemy pressure.

Crush the Weak II

Your first three spells or Skill each round deal 1 extra damage for each 5 Health the enemy Nexus is missing.

Manaflow

The five-star starting mana gem lets the Plunder-discounted champion be played for three mana on the first round. The three-star damage bonus above remains a separate part of the plan.

• Round 1-3 Swain build discussion by u/cahuitaa, 2026-03-02, 19 points (observed 14 Oct 2026).
• Swain relic recommendation by u/Crystalmon_, 2026-07-06, 23 points (observed 14 Oct 2026).
• Player-submitted builds, collected 13 Oct 2026.
• Supporting champion guide, collected 13 Oct 2026.
• Champion mechanics, LoL Wiki, checked 13 Oct 2026.