Hwei vs Smolder
Favorable matchup
Build vs Smolder
Build adapted to this matchup
Recommended items for Hwei: Blackfire Torch, Shadowflame, Rabadon's Deathcap, Sorcerer's Shoes, Liandry's Torment, Zhonya's Hourglass, Luden's Echo, Dark Seal.
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
Anti CC
Other options
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Smolder's abilities
Passive, spells and ultimate
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
| Level | Q | W | E | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 5.5s | 14s | 24s | – |
| 6 | 4.5s | 14s | 24s | 2m |
| 9 | 3.5s | 13s | 24s | 2m |
| 11 | 3.5s | 12s | 24s | 1m50 |
| 16 | 3.5s | 10s | 20s | 1m40 |
| 18 | 3.5s | 10s | 16s | 1m40 |
Playing as Hwei
Tips to maximize your impact
- Poke with Devastating Fire
Poke with Devastating Fire (QQ) in lane: the fireball explodes on the first enemy hit and adds damage based on their max health.
- Two spells for your signature
Hit the same champion with two damaging spells: Signature of the Visionary (passive) then leaves a signature beneath them that explodes shortly after.
- Pick the right subject
Pick the subject that fits the moment: Devastating Fire (QQ) for damage, Pool of Reflection (WW) to protect your allies, Crushing Maw (EE) to pull a group together.
- Block a path with lava
Block a chokepoint with Molten Fissure (QE): the line of eruptions leaves pools of lava that slow and damage enemies.
- Ult a champion near their team
Cast Spiraling Despair (R) on a champion surrounded by allies: the vision expands around them, slowing harder and damaging nearby enemies before it explodes.
Playing against Smolder
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
- Trade early
Take your trades early: his basic spells only gain damage with the Dragon Practice (passive) stacks he builds over the game.
- Save your CC for his flight
If you have hard CC, save it for Flap, Flap, Flap (E): it's his only way to escape, and hard CC interrupts his flight.
- Don't stay grouped
Don't stay grouped with your allies against him: empowered, Super Scorcher Breath (Q) also damages around its target and behind it.
- Leave the center of the breath
Get out of the center of MMOOOMMMM! (R): that's where the breath hits hardest and slows.
Other Hwei matchups
Patch 16.21.1