How to win lane as Swain against Nautilus · 52.83% win rate over 4,024 Emerald+ games · Updated 2026-07-27
| Stage | Favoured | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Swain | You win level 1 as Nautilus can't reach you and your Q out-pokes him. |
| Level 2 | Even / skill | Level 2 is even, decided by whether he lands Dredge Line. |
| Level 3 | Even / skill | Level 3 stays a hook skill check between his Q and your dodge. |
| Levels 4-5 | Even / skill | Levels 4-5 are even as his short trades match your poke. |
| Level 6 | Swain | You win level 6 because R drain-turns his Depth Charge all-in. |
| First item | Even / skill | First item is even as you respect his hook between trades. |
| Two+ items | Swain | You win 2+ items as your R frontline out-lasts his single-target lockdown. |
Level 1 favors you since Nautilus can't reach you and your Q out-pokes his walk-up. From 2 onward it's a hook skill matchup: standing behind the minion wave denies Dredge Line (Q), and every whiffed hook is a long cooldown you punish with E-root and Q burst. Never facecheck brush against his flank engage.
The full Swain vs Nautilus 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.
Become a Founding Member — $1.99/month →🔒 Secure checkout · 💰 7-day money-back guarantee · ✋ Cancel anytime
Early Access price — $3.99/month for new members after launch.
Playing the other side? Nautilus vs Swain guide →
All Swain support matchups →
Also played in: Top Lane