Even when Fizz dives in with Playful/Trickster (E), Swain locks him down with Nevermove (E), tanks the all-in through Demonic Ascension (R)'s drain, and out-trades him in lane thanks to Ravenous Flock (P) sustain.

Nasus is short-ranged, so he loses HP to Death's Hand (Q) poke before he can stack Siphoning Strike (Q), while Swain's Ravenous Flock (P) sustain gives him a one-sided edge in ranged trades.

Nevermove (E)'s root cuts off Katarina's Shunpo (E) reset engages, Vision of Empire (W) reveals her position, and Demonic Ascension (R)'s drain lets Swain survive her burst all-in.

Swain heavily pressures the early-weak Kayle with pre-5 Death's Hand (Q) poke and Nevermove (E) roots, and uses Ravenous Flock (P) sustain to build a CS and HP lead that denies her snowball.

Swain constantly pressures the lane-weakest early Kassadin with Death's Hand (Q) poke before level 5, and uses Ravenous Flock (P) sustain to widen the HP and CS gap, delaying his Riftwalk (R) power spike.

Zoe lands Sleepy Trouble Bubble (E) and follows with long-range Paddle Star! (Q) burst, and mobility-less Swain has no way to dodge the bubble or the follow-up poke.

Vel'Koz's Plasma Fission (Q) and Void Rift (W) long-range poke harasses from outside Death's Hand (Q) range, so mobility-less Swain gets whittled down one-sidedly with no way to retaliate.

Ziggs's Bouncing Bomb (Q) and Satchel Charge (W) long-range bomb poke plus strong waveclear push Swain out of lane, and with no mobility he is blocked from ever closing the gap.

Jayce's ranged-form Shock Blast (Q) sped up through Acceleration Gate (E) poke harasses from outside Death's Hand (Q) range, and mobility-less Swain struggles to close in or dodge, losing the lane.