Matchup
Heavy AD damageSustained DPSHeavy poke
Build vs Smolder
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
73%
18%Anti CC
Other options
100.0% WR1 games
Sorcery
Summon Aery
Manaflow Band
Transcendence
Gathering Storm
Resolve
Revitalize
Font of Life
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Early (0-15)
Mid (15-30)
Late (30+)
Karma
SmolderFavorable
Favorable
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
| 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 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 9, 2026