Smolder Champion Counter Guide: Best & Worst Matchups

Smolder Champion Counter Guide: Best & Worst Matchups

By Marcus Chen

February 21, 2025 at 12:12 PM

Smolder is a scaling ADC champion who becomes increasingly dangerous as the game progresses. Here's how to effectively counter him:

Key Weaknesses:

  • Vulnerable when E is on cooldown
  • Susceptible to hard CC and burst damage
  • Weak against early game aggression

Strong Against:

  • Kog'Maw
  • Yasuo
  • Nilah
  • Corki
  • Aphelios

Weak Against:

  • Ziggs
  • Swain
  • Jinx
  • Hwei
  • Zeri

Early Game Strategy:

  • Deny early kills to prevent Q upgrades
  • Track and exploit his E cooldown
  • Apply pressure before level 6 power spike

Mid-Late Game Tactics:

  • Focus him first in teamfights
  • Avoid grouped combat in jungle areas
  • Punish his forward positioning
  • Execute quickly to prevent healing from ultimate

Power Spike Windows:

  • Level 4: Significant damage increase
  • Q upgrades: Enhanced damage output
  • Level 6: Ultimate ability (Mom) grants sustain and damage

Tips for Success:

  1. Coordinate CC chains with your team
  2. Engage when his E is down
  3. Avoid extended fights post-6
  4. Pick champions with strong gap closers
  5. Build early armor to mitigate his physical damage

Remember that Smolder scales well into late game, so prioritize shutting him down early and preventing his Q upgrades through strategic pressure and coordinated ganks.

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