Smolder, a fierce and powerful champion in League of Legends, has quickly become a favorite for players who enjoy a strategic and high-damage playstyle. His abilities, centered around stacking power through Dragon Practice and unleashing devastating attacks with Super Scorcher Breath, make him a formidable opponent on the battlefield. This guide will provide you with an in-depth look at how to maximize Smolder’s potential, covering his abilities, optimal builds, and strategic gameplay tips.

Understanding Smolder’s Abilities

To effectively play Smolder, understanding his abilities and how they synergize is crucial. Smolder’s abilities are designed to amplify his damage as the game progresses, making him a late-game powerhouse.

Passive: Dragon Practice

Smolder’s passive, Dragon Practice, is the cornerstone of his kit. Every time Smolder hits an enemy champion with an ability or kills a unit using Super Scorcher Breath, he gains a stack of Dragon Practice. Each stack enhances the damage of his basic abilities, making him increasingly lethal as the game goes on. This mechanic encourages a playstyle focused on frequent engagement and careful management of ability usage to maximize stack accumulation.

Q: Super Scorcher Breath

Super Scorcher Breath is Smolder’s primary damage-dealing ability. It is a skill shot that deals significant damage and applies a burn effect to enemies hit. This ability is essential for stacking Dragon Practice quickly, especially when targeting multiple enemies in team fights. Early in the game, focusing on landing this ability can give Smolder a significant advantage, allowing him to snowball and gain control of the lane.

W: Flame Burst

Flame Burst is Smolder’s crowd control tool. When activated, it releases a burst of fire around Smolder, damaging and slowing all enemies caught in its radius. This ability is particularly useful for controlling space during team fights or when retreating from a dangerous situation. Combining Flame Burst with Super Scorcher Breath can effectively whittle down the enemy’s health, setting up for a successful engage or escape.

E: Inferno Dash

Inferno Dash gives Smolder mobility, allowing him to dash a short distance while leaving a trail of fire that damages enemies. This ability is versatile, serving both as an escape tool and an initiation method, depending on the situation. Mastering the use of Inferno Dash is key to positioning Smolder correctly during skirmishes and team fights.

R: Dragon’s Wrath

Smolder’s ultimate ability, Dragon’s Wrath, transforms him into a dragon, significantly boosting his attack damage, ability power, and durability for a short duration. During this time, his abilities are empowered, and his basic attacks deal additional burn damage. Dragon’s Wrath is a game-changing ability that can turn the tide of a battle, making Smolder a terrifying presence in the late game.

Building Smolder for Maximum Impact

Choosing the right items for Smolder is critical to unlocking his full potential. Smolder is a champion that scales exceptionally well with ability power (AP), so focusing on AP items will greatly enhance his damage output.

Core Items

Smolder’s core items should prioritize ability power, magic penetration, and cooldown reduction. Liandry’s Anguish is an excellent first item, providing both AP and a burn effect that synergizes perfectly with Smolder’s abilities. Zhonya’s Hourglass is another essential item, offering survivability with its active stasis effect, allowing Smolder to survive during dangerous moments in team fights. Finally, Rabadon’s Deathcap is a must-have for maximizing Smolder’s AP, turning him into a late-game monster.

Situational Items

Depending on the enemy team composition, Smolder may need to adjust his build. If the enemy team has high burst damage, Banshee’s Veil can provide a crucial spell shield to block an incoming ability. For teams with high healing, Morellonomicon can apply Grievous Wounds, reducing their effectiveness. If Smolder needs to shred through tanks, Void Staff will grant significant magic penetration, ensuring his abilities hit hard regardless of the opponent’s defenses.

Strategic Gameplay Tips for Smolder

Playing Smolder effectively requires not just mechanical skill but also strategic thinking. Below are some tips to help you dominate your matches.

Early Game Strategy

In the early game, focus on stacking Dragon Practice as much as possible. Look for opportunities to harass the enemy laner with Super Scorcher Breath and secure last hits with the same ability. Smolder is relatively weak early on, so avoid unnecessary risks and play safe until you have a few key items. Use Inferno Dash to dodge skill shots and position yourself favorably in lane.

Mid-Game Domination

As you transition to the mid-game, Smolder should have a few core items and be ready to participate in team fights. Look to roam and assist other lanes, using Flame Burst and Inferno Dash to initiate or disengage from fights. Smolder excels in skirmishes, where his Dragon Practice stacks can quickly turn a battle in his favor. Focus on maintaining map control and securing objectives like Dragons and Rift Herald to push your team’s advantage.

Late-Game Powerhouse

Smolder truly shines in the late game when his Dragon’s Wrath can turn the tide of team fights. In this phase, positioning is critical. Stay behind your frontline and look for opportunities to use Super Scorcher Breath on as many enemies as possible. Wait for the right moment to activate Dragon’s Wrath, transforming into a dragon and unleashing your full potential. Remember, Smolder’s ultimate can single-handedly win team fights if used correctly.

Countering Smolder

While Smolder is a powerful champion, he is not without weaknesses. Champions with high mobility and crowd control can pose significant threats to him. Assassins who can quickly burst him down before he has a chance to react are particularly dangerous. To counter Smolder, focus on engaging him before he can stack Dragon Practice or isolate him during fights where he cannot utilize his abilities effectively.

Conclusion

Smolder is a dynamic and rewarding champion to master in League of Legends. His ability to scale into a late-game powerhouse makes him a valuable asset in any team composition. By understanding his abilities, optimizing his build, and executing strategic gameplay, you can dominate the Rift and lead your team to victory. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, mastering Smolder will undoubtedly elevate your performance and enhance your overall League of Legends experience.