Matchup

Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke

Build vs Smolder

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

Doran's Ring
Health Potion
x2

Core build

Malignance
1Mage
Hextech Rocketbelt
2Mage tank
Rabadon's Deathcap
3Mage

Standard

Sorcerer's Shoes
4Magic pen
Shadowflame
5vs Tank

Summoner spells

41253%
41446%

Anti AD

Plated Steelcaps
4vs AD
Zhonya's Hourglass
5vs AD

Anti Heal

Morellonomicon
6vs Heal

Anti AP

Mercury's Treads
4vs CC
Banshee's Veil
5vs AP

Anti Tank

Shadowflame
5vs Tank
Stormsurge
vs Tank
Void Staff
vs Tank
Cryptbloom
vs Tank

DPS

Luden's Echo
Mage
Blackfire Torch
Mage
Cosmic Drive
Mage tank
Lich Bane
Mage
Liandry's Torment
Mage tank
Horizon Focus
Mage

Other options

Mejai's Soulstealer
92.9% WR14 games
DominationDomination
ElectrocuteElectrocute
Taste of BloodTaste of Blood
Grisly MementosGrisly Mementos
Ultimate HunterUltimate Hunter
SorcerySorcery
TranscendenceTranscendence
Manaflow BandManaflow Band
Attack SpeedAdaptive ForceHealth Scaling

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
AhriAhri
SmolderSmolder
Aggressive
Neutral
Passive

Smolder's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Dragon Practice (P)

Hitting champions with Abilities and killing enemies with Super Scorcher Breath grants a stack of Dragon Practice. Stacks increase the damage of Smolders basic Abilities.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

LevelQWER
35.5s14s24s
64.5s14s24s2m
93.5s13s24s2m
113.5s12s24s1m50
163.5s10s20s1m40
183.5s10s16s1m40

Playing against Smolder

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

1

Punish Smolder in the early game: he's very weak before his stacks and items. Force fights early.

2

Don't let the game go long: Smolder at 225 stacks is one of the strongest late game ADCs.

3

His R is global but has a delay: move laterally to dodge it.

4

He's immobile with no escape: assassins and engages punish him easily.

Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 8, 2026