Guide Sections (16)
Champion Stats
| Role | Marksman / Mage |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate (6/10) |
| Blue Essence | 3150 BE |
The Level 1 Cheese
First Blood Strategy
The 'W Poke' Start. Start W (Achoo!). It has a long range and slows enemies. Use it to poke the enemy ADC and Support simultaneously when they walk up to the wave. It deals decent damage and helps you shove for Level 2. Do not look for an all-in trade; you are a baby dragon. Just hit them, get your stack (if W hits champ), and back off. Your goal is simply to stack and survive.
The 'Pay-to-Win' Skin Advantage
When They Ban Smolder
Rune Setup
Skill Priority
Order:
Q → W → EMax Q first is Mandatory; cooldown reduction = more stacks. Max W second for the waveclear and slow strength. Max E (Flap, Flap, Flap) last as it is purely a mobility tool. Note: 3 points in W early can be good for lane clear if you are being pushed in heavily.
Mastering Smolder's Kit
Matchup Tips
The Ego Check
When to Queue Dodge
Dodge Draven. He kills you in 3 hits Level 1. You cannot stack vs him. Dodge Caitlyn. She outranges you and zones you off the wave entirely. Dodge Kalista. She runs you down.
Teamfight Role
Stay in the backline. Literally as far back as possible. Spam Q on the nearest target (Front-to-Back). Use R (MMOOOMMMM!) as a peel tool or to execute low HP enemies from a distance. Once you have 225 Stacks, your Q deals True Damage burn and executes. Just apply the burn to everyone. Use E to fly over walls and reposition away from divers. You are artillery, not a skirmisher.
The 'Disrespect' Build
Shojin -> Liandry's Torment -> Riftmaker. The 'Infinite Burn' Build. Smolder has AP ratios and his true damage burn synergizes with Liandry's. This build makes you tankier than full Crit and melts tanks. Rapid Firecannon is also great to apply the burn from safe range. (Standard Crit: Essence Reaver -> Navori -> Shieldbow is safer for reliability).
Power Windows
25 Stacks (Q becomes AoE). 125 Stacks (Q creates explosions). 225 Stacks (True Damage Burn + Execute - THE WIN CONDITION).
Tilt Factor
Type '200 stacks...' in all chat when you are close. It puts a psychological clock on the enemy team, making them panic and force bad fights. Yelling 'MOM!!!' (R) in voice chat or typing it when you get a double kill with ult.
Recent Patch History
Safety Tips
