How to win lane as Swain against Locke · 50% win rate · Updated 2026-07-27
| Stage | Favoured | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Locke | Without a dash you eat his opening poke while last-hitting, so level 1 is his. |
| Level 2 | Locke | He dictates wave tempo and pokes you as you step up for CS, keeping level 2 his. |
| Level 3 | Locke | His combo threat outranges your delayed Nevermove engage at level 3. |
| Levels 4-5 | Locke | Through 4-5 he holds prio and pressures your roam timers while you farm, so it stays his. |
| Level 6 | Locke | At 6 his answer to your all-in still beats you before Demonic drain ramps. |
| First item | Locke | On his first item he keeps enough range to poke you out of trades, favouring him. |
| Two+ items | Locke | In extended late fights his kite and range hold the edge unless you convert through teamfights. |
You have no gap-closer at levels 1-2, so Locke gets to open every exchange and chip you while you last-hit; take Q max for the wave and safe poke, hold E for when he steps up, and never walk past the midline. Ravenous Flock souls only heal off kills or drops, so expect to concede a little HP and simply farm — do not force a trade you cannot finish.
The full Swain vs Locke report continues with the mid-game plan, the late-game and teamfight plan, every power spike to play around, and the win conditions for both sides — plus cooldown tracking and the live enemy-jungle tracker inside the app.
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Playing the other side? Locke vs Swain guide →
All Swain mid lane matchups →
Also played in: Top Lane