Matchup
You are stronger early — look to snowball before your opponent scales.
Build vs Smolder
Build adapted to this matchup
Starting items
Core build
Standard
Summoner spells
95%
3%Anti AD
Anti AP
Anti Tank
DPS
Other options
Domination
Electrocute
Sudden Impact
Grisly Mementos
Relentless Hunter
Precision
Coup de Grace
Triumph
Power Spikes
Strength by game phase
Katarina
SmolderSmolder'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 against Smolder
How to counter and exploit weaknesses
Punish Smolder in the early game: he's very weak before his stacks and items. Force fights early.
Don't let the game go long: Smolder at 225 stacks is one of the strongest late game ADCs.
His R is global but has a delay: move laterally to dodge it.
He's immobile with no escape: assassins and engages punish him easily.
Source: op.gg + LTL Engine · Patch 16.9.1 · May 9, 2026