Smolder Guide in League of Legends: Game Tips, Runes, Items, Counter Picks

In early 2024, League of Legends added a marksman — a small dragon with his own plans named Smolder. A champion with a capital letter will serve everyone who loves active and emotional gameplay. Smolder will be the 167th hero in the MOBA universe and will bring a fresh look at hypercarry tactics, adding a touch of enthusiasm and unpredictability to the game.

In this detailed guide, we will figure out together how to get the most out of Smolder. I will show you the best tactics for playing for him, share a list of items that perfectly reveal his potential, and select the most effective runes so that every match brings pleasure — and victory.

Smolder’s abilities

Smolder is a small dragon with a big character. Riot carefully thought out his abilities so that they organically fit into the role of a marksman. It has it all: high mobility, sudden bursts of damage, and enough survivability to stay on your feet in the hottest battles.

But the main thing is his passive ability. This is his “thing”: infinite scaling of power! Even when all the items are collected and the level is reached, Smolder does not stop growing. With each passing minute, he becomes more dangerous, turning from a cute dragon into a real machine of destruction.

Dragon Training (Passive Skill)

Using “Superheated Breath” (Q) to take down enemies or successfully landing your abilities on rival champions allows Smolder to gain valuable charges. Each charge not only increases the damage output of his basic abilities but also modifies how (Q) functions, making it more potent.

His passive ability is what truly sets Smolder apart, enabling him to grow increasingly powerful over time. While in the lane, it’s crucial to target multiple opponents with your skills whenever possible. If you’re unable to engage in a favorable damage exchange with your opponent, focus on last-hitting minions using Q. This strategy will help you build your charges and strengthen your position in the match.

Super Hot Breath (Q)

Smolder unleashes a blazing orb targeted at his chosen enemy. This ability features three distinct levels of enhancement, each influenced by the number of charges accumulated from his passive skill. When he reaches 25 stacks, the orb inflicts damage not only on the primary target but also on all enemies in close proximity. As he hits 125 stacks, the skill creates additional projectiles that strike two neighboring foes, amplifying the chaos on the battlefield. At 225 stacks, the number of bonus orbs increases even further, and any opponents hit will be ignited, adding a lingering burn effect. Each upgrade in rank brings subtle yet noticeable changes to Smolder’s appearance, reflecting his growing power.

The Q ability is the cornerstone of Smolder’s damage output, making its early enhancement crucial for his effectiveness. Players should focus on gathering charges as quickly as possible to boost this skill, maximizing their impact during intense team battles. By doing so, you can ensure that you inflict the highest possible damage to your enemies while supporting your team.

Achoo! (W)

Smolder unleashes a powerful fiery sneeze that not only deals damage but also slows down nearby enemies, making it harder for them to escape. When this ability successfully hits a champion, it triggers an additional explosion, creating an even greater impact on the battlefield.

This skill is exceptionally useful for supporting allies during intense team fights, allowing you to chase down fleeing opponents or hinder those who are trying to attack you. When in the laning phase, aim to strike two targets at once; this tactic will help you accumulate more charges for your passive ability, making you even more formidable.

Clap-clap-clap (E)

With a dramatic leap into the air, Smolder temporarily boosts his movement speed, soaring over terrain obstacles with ease. While airborne, he lets loose a torrent of fire aimed at enemies in the affected area, prioritizing those who are low on health to maximize your chances of securing a takedown.

This ability not only allows Smolder to close the gap on adversaries quickly but also provides a means to escape from precarious situations. He can traverse almost any wall on the map, making him highly mobile. However, keep in mind that this skill comes with a relatively long cooldown, so it’s crucial to use it wisely and strategically to turn the tide of battle in your favor!

МА-А-АМ! (R)

Smolder calls on his mother for help – and at that moment it seems that the sky itself is splitting from the heat. A huge wave of flame rushes forward, sweeping away everything in its path. Enemies caught in the center of this fiery nightmare seem to be stuck in the air: their movements are slowed down, and every breath brings new pain from the heat. But there is a downside – while Smolder remains in the spell’s area of ​​​​effect, his own strength is quickly restored. For opponents, this becomes a real trap: the fire that burns them simultaneously makes him stronger.

The ability is the heart of Smolder’s entire arsenal. A powerful tool for inflicting damage; this is a spell that can completely turn the tide of battle. With its help, you can finish off wounded enemies with one blow or escape from a seemingly hopeless situation. The main thing is to use it wisely: choose the moment when there are several enemies nearby. The more targets Smolder is engulfed in flames, the more valuable charges he gets for his passive, and every second will be a real joy to play.

Smolder’s Skill Build

To make Smolder a tornado in his path with danger, start by fully upgrading his Q. Crucially, the cooldown reduction and damage increase make it the main source of pressure on the enemy. After that, it’s worth upgrading W, which also benefits from a cooldown reduction, allowing you to use it more often and effectively. Like most champions, the ultimate is always a priority as soon as it becomes available, as its power can decide the outcome of entire fights. Finish the build with an E upgrade to round out the entire kit and make Smolder’s playstyle as unacceptable as possible to weaker champions.

Runes on Smolder

Smolder is feeling great in Season 14, thanks to two powerful sets of runes that help him deal more damage, stay in the fight longer, and control his mana consumption. But there is one small nuance: the last minor rune. This is where the fun begins – you decide what is more important for your game: additional armor or magic resistance. It all depends on who you are standing against in the lane and what the enemy team is breathing. This approach gives you flexibility and the ability to adapt to the situation, rather than playing according to a memorized template.

Items for Smolder

Season 14 opened up real freedom for players in item builds, and this is felt with every game. There is no “one true” way here – and that’s the fun! It all depends on your style: whether you want to play aggressively, farm calmly, or be useful in teamfights – the build will be different.

At the same time, there is one item that especially stands out – Manamune. Smolder is heavily dependent on mana, which means this item is almost a must-have: it not only solves the problem of its lack, but also significantly increases your damage. The rest of the items are already a field for experiments. Want more survivability? Build something tanky. Need burst damage? Add crit. It is important to find your golden mean here so that your Smolder is as effective as possible for your game. And here’s the main thing: don’t be afraid to try something new. Sometimes an unconventional build unexpectedly opens the way to victory for you. Smolder reveals itself best when you play it the way you like it – and not as it is written in someone’s guide.

Smolder’s acting style

Smoldering Play: Scaling in the Late Game

Using Smoldering shows how to pave the way for a long late game. Early on, players can feel quite vulnerable and weak, so in order to be able to prove yourself later in the round, you need to be able to do well.

• Early Game: Early on, your main focus should be on clearing minions to build up your Dragon Training (passive). This passive is critical to increasing Smoldering’s damage output. Use Superheated Breath (Q) to deal damage to both minions and enemies, which will help you gradually increase your power and presence on the battlefield. It’s important to keep a safe distance; avoid risky engagements and stay behind your minions for protection. Working closely with your supports is key to providing protection against aggressive opponents.
• Mid Game: Smoldering becomes increasingly dangerous throughout the game. Continue to build up his abilities to make them stronger, as this will greatly increase your impact in team fights. Use Ah-Choo! (W) strategically to slow down enemies and damage groups of minions, disrupting their progress. Remember that positioning is critical, so aim for maximum effectiveness with minimal risk. SLAM SLAM SLAM (E) is your go-to for dodging danger or chasing enemies, but it’s also your escape tool, so use it wisely. Timing is everything, and knowing when to engage or retreat can make the difference between a losing game and a losing one.
• Late game. Here it is — it will be the end time! At this point, the little dragon stops being just a cute lizard and turns into a real monster that can turn the game upside down. Every attack of yours is now not just damage numbers, but a chance to write your own victory story.

And yes, now your ultimate “MA-A-AAM!” (R) is not just a button, it is the legendary panic button for the enemy team. Imagine: the enemies are lined up in a perfect line, ready to celebrate victory… and then BA-BAAAAAAAAAAH! Half of their HP flies away, they scatter in panic, and your team flies forward, sweeping away everything in its path. These are the moments we play for, right?

But remember: power is cool, but one mistake can cost you your life and the whole game. In the late game, Smolder is like a small, fragile, fire-breathing god – heaps of damage, but if you get caught off guard, it’s time to respawn. Positioning is the main goal. Stay behind your teammates, stay safe, but always ready to fire when you see an opportunity. You’re like a sniper waiting for the perfect moment to unleash a deadly volley.

Take a look at the secret to victory: teamwork. All the team’s synchronicity will lead to better results. Talk to your team, yell “GO! GO! GO!” in the voice, warn them about gankers, agree on when to push and when to retreat. When everyone is working as one, Smolder will be a real hope-crushing machine for the enemy.

Top Smolder Counterpicks: Characters That Ruin His Game

Smolder is an incredibly flexible and sneaky marksman, which makes it difficult to find reliable counters against him. In the early game, he usually feels insecure and cannot reach his full potential, so this is the moment when it is important to pressure him. Champions like Draven or Samira are great for aggressive play: they can quickly punish Smolder for the slightest mistake and throw him off track before he even gets stronger.

Don’t forget about supports either: choose those who can provide reliable control and create space for trading – strong initiators with strong abilities can literally “break Smolder’s wings” and prevent him from gaining damage.

However, the real fun begins in the late game: here Smolder becomes truly dangerous. To deal with him at this stage, it is reasonable to bet on hypercarries like Kog’Maw or Jinx. They can not only withstand his onslaught, but also change the vector of the battle in your favor if the team gives them the right space.

Match-ups

Matchups

The best matchups for Smolder are:

• Xayah: 53.6% win rate in 6,198 games.
• Aphelios: 53.2% win rate in 10,413 games.
• Caitlyn: 52.1% win rate in 27,720 games.
• Samira: 52.0% win rate in 20,916 games.
• Draven: 51.4% win rate in 15,553 games.

These statistics represent full matchups for Smolder. We recommend playing him in these matchups to increase your chances of winning.

The worst matchups for Smolder are:

• Seraphina: 44.9% win rate in 6,646 games.
• Twitch: 46.6% win rate in 15,816 games.
• Twisted Fate: 46.8% win rate in 10,314 games.
• Senna: 47.0% win rate in 6,905 games.
• Vayne: 47.5% win rate in 27,421 games.

Champions that are well-prepared with Smolder counters, so we recommend prioritizing bans on them.

Tips for playing as Smolder

• Using SLAM SLAM SLAM (E) wisely. Only use this ability when you are sure that your opponent is out of CC. Otherwise, you can easily get caught on cooldown, which will result in losing the trade.
• Reach level 2 before the fight. Never engage in an early skirmish unless you have level 2. At this point, you unlock SLAM SLAM SLAM (E) and can try to make an aggressive early all-in, catching your opponent off guard.
• Using MAH! (R) wisely. Despite its impressive appearance, this ability is easy to dodge, leaving Smolder vulnerable to counterattacks. Use it only at key moments, such as when enemies have already spent their movement abilities or are under your team’s control. This will help you gain the maximum advantage in teamfights.
• Maximizing Damage from “Super Hot Breath” (Q). The more often you attack the enemy in the early game, the more damage this ability will do. Stack it early to dominate the lane and increase your midgame potential.
• Combo with “SLAMP-SLAMP-SLAMP” (E). It is important to remember that if you activate another ability while in flight, “SLAMP-SLAMP-SLAMP” will be immediately interrupted. Therefore, use all abilities BEFORE the jump to maintain mobility and deal maximum damage in one combo.
• Optimizing Distance. Try to keep a safe distance and position yourself between minions and the attack target. This will allow you to more easily dodge skill shots and at the same time deal consistent damage.
• Watch the size of the horns. Smolder’s horns are more than just a decorative element: their size and glow indicate the number of stacks of Dragon Training (passive skill). The bigger and brighter the horns, the stronger your hero becomes.
• Priority leveling Super Hot Breath (Q). This ability scales infinitely and turns into a major source of damage in the late game. Focus on leveling it and collecting stacks of Dragon Training to unleash Smolder’s full potential and dominate protracted fights.

See the previous guide on the hero Skarner.