Swain vs Mel Counter Pick

Death’s Hand sends several bolts through everything in front of Swain, and each additional bolt striking the same target increases the damage it takes. Rebuttal exists to punish exactly that: Mel’s barrier reflects enemy projectiles back at the attacker while preventing damage to her and granting movement speed. Timing decides the trade. A Death’s Hand fired into an active Rebuttal is a self-inflicted wound; one fired half a second later, with the barrier expired and Mel still committed to Radiant Volley, is why Swain leads here.

The rest of the profile is close. Mel attacks from 550 units to Swain’s 525, opens with 630 base health against 595, and reaches 2,313 at level 18 against 2,278. Both deal magic damage, both run on mana, and Swain’s 31 base magic resistance against her 30 is the only defensive difference worth naming. Solar Snare roots at the center of its orb, and a rooted Swain is not much of a problem for Swain, since Nevermove and Demonic Ascension both work from a standing position. Searing Brilliance stacks up to nine bonus projectiles onto her next attack whenever she casts, which rewards her for opening the trade and hands Swain a readable tell. Only 131 games on patch 16.13.1 back the 55.0 percent figure for Swain against Mel, so the easy grade should be treated as provisional.