Counters for Smolder
Champion guide
Patch 7.3a
Champions against Smolder
Favorable matchup
Draven vs Smolder
Draven can make Smolder pay a steep price for walking up to farm. His job is to turn early damage into a wave, tower and objective lead, not to chase a kill while Smolder stacks resources in safety.
Why Draven works against Smolder
01
No last hit should come for free
Smolder gains stacks by last-hitting with his first ability and by hitting champions with his abilities. Draven's axes let you punish that access to the wave. Draven's 7.3a buff supports that early pressure, but you need your axes and your support ready.
02
Force out the flight before you chase
Smolder's third ability gives speed and lets him cross terrain. If he spends that escape, Draven and his support can threaten a fresh approach. Don't assume you can follow him over a wall or that Stand Aside will stop any flight in any situation.
When to attack
Pressure when Smolder tries a close last hit, you have axes and your support can cover you. Once he has spent his flight, you can close down his space; if he heads over a wall where you have no vision, end the chase.
How to play Draven
- 1Get your axes ready and punish the last hit without letting them land in a dangerous area.
- 2When you have no vision of the jungle, keep a controlled wave on your side and force Smolder to walk up.
- 3With a big wave and vision, push for tower damage or a recall; don't let him farm in peace while you chase through the river.
- 4After winning lane, move your lead to objectives with your team. Dragging a game out without purpose plays into the enemy's scaling plan.
Mistakes to avoid
- Eating Smolder's abilities to catch every axe, gifting him damage and stacks.
- Mistaking a won lane for a won game; his scaling is still there if you don't convert the lead.
Playing Smolder against Draven
As Smolder, prioritize safe last hits and avoid contesting ready axes without your support. Save your flight for a real threat and don't burn it for a bit of damage. If Draven steps up to catch an exposed axe, use that angle for your ability and back off; losing a minion is better than handing him a kill with Adoration.
Favorable matchup
Caitlyn vs Smolder
Caitlyn can pressure Smolder's access to minions with range and traps. She doesn't remove his stacks: she limits his chances to earn them and turns favorable waves into tower damage without blindly chasing his flight.
Why Caitlyn works against Smolder
01
Punish the last hit from outside a short trade
Caitlyn's range makes it easier to attack when Smolder walks up to use his first ability on a minion. Step away after the basic attack: if you stay lined up with the wave, his abilities can damage you and give him stacks.
02
Controlling paths isn't the same as stopping his flight
Traps help cut off ground routes and set up allied crowd control. Smolder's third ability lets him cross terrain, so there's no foolproof ring of traps. Keep your net and vision so your siege doesn't turn into an engage by the enemy jungler.
When to attack
Attack when Smolder goes for a last hit and your support controls the enemy approach. If he has already spent his flight, ramp up the pressure; when he has an escape and you can't see his jungler, don't force the catch.
How to play Caitlyn
- 1Land a basic attack as he last-hits and step out of his abilities' angle; don't needlessly share a line with his minions.
- 2Put traps on allied crowd control or on routes he actually has to take, not on a wall he can fly over.
- 3Use a favorable wave for tower damage, vision or a recall synced with your support.
- 4Save your net for an enemy engage. If Smolder escaped and his support still has crowd control, take the wave instead of chasing.
Mistakes to avoid
- Blocking only one route with traps and chasing Smolder when he can escape over a wall toward his team.
- Pushing without vision and getting caught with your net down because you went for one more basic attack.
Playing Smolder against Caitlyn
As Smolder, avoid stepping into Caitlyn's range just to finish a last hit if her support can catch you. Keep your position away from the traps and hold your flight to escape along a route with vision. Use the moments her abilities are down to farm, without assuming your own tower stops her from poking you.
Execution matters
Lucian vs Smolder
Lucian can punish Smolder with short sequences of abilities and double shots. He needs to hit the right window and keep an exit: his range forces him to get close, so he can't ignore the enemy support or Smolder's flight.
Why Lucian works against Smolder
01
Front-load the damage before the response
Lucian's passive adds a second shot after he uses an ability. Alternating abilities and basic attacks lets you pack the trade into a short burst before backing off. Chaining every ability without using the shots wastes part of that advantage.
02
Mobility is worth more when an exit remains
Your third ability helps you adjust your angle and avoid a sneeze or the center strip of Smolder's ultimate. If you spend it forward, you end up close to his support and can't follow every flight over terrain. The engage depends on space and resources, not just combo damage.
When to attack
Attack when Smolder has spent his sneeze on the wave and your support can cover a short approach. If he still has his flight and the enemy support can crowd-control your advance, hold your third ability instead of forcing it.
How to play Lucian
- 1Set up a brief engage on one of Smolder's last hits, without walking into a big wave.
- 2Alternate abilities and attacks to make use of your passive shots, and back off when the window closes.
- 3Hold your third ability if you don't know where the jungler is or if the enemy support still has their crowd control.
- 4Turn pressure into a recall, tower damage or an objective. To use your ultimate, find a clear firing line and don't chase over walls without vision.
Mistakes to avoid
- Spending your third ability to close in without checking the support's crowd control and your exit route.
- Using every ability back to back without basic attacks, or following his flight at the cost of wave and safety.
Playing Smolder against Lucian
As Smolder, don't contest Lucian's combo when he comes in with his support and resources available. Keep a route open for your flight and use your sneeze to make his approach harder. If Lucian spends his third ability forward, back off toward your support and look to deal damage back once he finishes his shots. Use your ultimate to stop the chase before you run out of health.