Smolder - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
49.9%
Pick Rate
3.1%

Smoldervs Aphelios

CMarksmanMage
Patch26.14
Matches491,560
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedJul 21, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Smolder vs Aphelios is a decisive matchup in LoL patch 26.14. Aphelios wins with a 62.9% win rate (+25.7%) over Smolder based on 35 games. Aphelios holds the advantage in both the early and late game. Below you'll find the best Smolder build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup.

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Smolder Matchup Breakdown

Use the dropdown to select an opponent and see a detailed breakdown of how Smolder performs against them. You'll get head-to-head win rates, laning stats, the best build and runes for the matchup, and early vs late game analysis — all based on real ranked data.

Compare against an opponent
Smolder - 37.1% win rate in this matchup
Smolder
37.1% WR
VS
Aphelios vs Smolder matchup - 62.9% win rate
Aphelios
62.9% WR

Who Wins the Smolder vs Aphelios Matchup?

Aphelios wins the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup
Winner
Aphelios
Matches: 35
37.1%
Win Rate
62.9%
6.7
CS / min
6.9
884
DMG / min
963
11,449
Gold / game
12,657
175
Heal / min
259
364
DMG Mitigated / min
447
0.4
CC / min
0.5
21.4%
Early Game WR
78.6%
47.6%
Late Game WR
52.4%

Smolder vs Aphelios Matchup Summary

The Smolder vs Aphelios matchup is a decisive matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 35 recent matches analyzed, Aphelios wins with a 62.9% win rate compared to Smolder's 37.1%, giving Aphelios a 25.7 percentage point advantage. Aphelios dominates at every stage — from early laning through late game team fights. This consistent advantage makes it difficult for Smolder players to find favorable windows, so team-dependent strategies and avoiding solo confrontations are essential. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Aphelios leads by 0.1s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Aphelios has a strong advantage in this matchup. Smolder players should play defensively, prioritize safe farming under tower, and look for opportunities created by jungle pressure or Aphelios overextending. Avoid prolonged trades and wait for team fights where positioning and coordination matter more. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Smolder vs Aphelios Laning Phase Breakdown

Aphelios wins the laning phase against Smolder in League of Legends

Aphelios is favored during the laning phase against Smolder, winning 5 out of 5 key stat categories. Aphelios holds advantages in farming, damage, gold income, crowd control and sustain, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
6.7Smolder
6.9Aphelios
Smolder and Aphelios farm at nearly identical rates in this matchup, with only a 0.2 CS/min difference. Neither champion holds a meaningful farming advantage, so lane dominance will come from trading and jungle interaction rather than CS leads.
Damage
884Smolder
963Aphelios
Aphelios deals 79 more champion damage per minute than Smolder. While noticeable in extended trades, this gap can be offset by Smolder choosing favorable fight windows, such as engaging when Aphelios's key abilities are on cooldown or trading immediately after dodging a skillshot.
Economy
11,449Smolder
12,657Aphelios
Aphelios generates a commanding 1,208 more gold per game than Smolder. This substantial economic advantage means Aphelios consistently reaches key item breakpoints earlier, creating a compounding lead that grows throughout the game. Smolder should focus on cost-effective item choices and avoid unnecessary deaths to prevent falling further behind.
Utility
0.4Smolder
0.5Aphelios
Both Smolder and Aphelios provide similar amounts of crowd control (0.1s/min difference), meaning neither has a significant advantage in locking down opponents for ganks or team fights. Lane ganks are equally effective for both sides.
Sustain
540Smolder
706Aphelios
Aphelios vastly out-sustains Smolder, healing and mitigating 166 more damage per minute. This massive durability gap means Aphelios can absorb significant punishment and remain in lane while Smolder is forced to recall. Building grievous wounds early is essential for Smolder, and focusing on burst trade patterns rather than sustained fights is critical.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Aphelios
78.6%
+57.1% advantage
Smolder early game win rateSmolder21.4%
Aphelios early game win rateAphelios78.6%
Late Game
Aphelios
52.4%
+4.8% advantage
Smolder late game win rateSmolder47.6%
Aphelios late game win rateAphelios52.4%

Aphelios dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 78.6% win rate — a 57.1 percentage point lead over Smolder. This lopsided early game means Aphelios can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.

In the late game (25+ minutes), Aphelios takes over with a 52.4% win rate, leading Smolder by 4.8 percentage points. Aphelios scales more effectively into team fights and objective contests.

Aphelios holds the advantage at every stage of the game, making this a consistently favorable matchup from lane through late game team fights. Smolder players should look for outplays, team-dependent strategies, and picks rather than relying on scaling to win this matchup.

Best Smolder Runes Against Aphelios

Sorcery rune tree - Smolder primary runes vs ApheliosSorcery
Deathfire Touch - best Smolder rune vs ApheliosNimbus Cloak - best Smolder rune vs ApheliosCelerity - best Smolder rune vs ApheliosGathering Storm - best Smolder rune vs Aphelios
Inspiration rune tree - Smolder secondary runes vs ApheliosInspiration
Jack Of All Trades - best Smolder rune vs ApheliosMagical Footwear - best Smolder rune vs Aphelios
18.2% WR

The Sorcery and Inspiration rune setup gives Smolder the best tools to compete against Aphelios in this difficult matchup, compensating for the statistical disadvantages with optimal rune synergies.


Smolder matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.14. The table below shows Smolder's win rate, gold difference, and performance stats against every champion in the current meta. Click any champion name to see a detailed head-to-head breakdown including the best Smolder build, runes, laning stats, and early vs late game analysis for that specific matchup.

Smolder matchup win rates and stats in League of Legends patch 26.14
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
49.65%2886.897913,46949.5%49.7%
39.43%2796.587511,84643.1%36.8%
53.59%2096.589712,47548.0%56.6%
52.98%1686.91,02113,39352.2%53.5%
51.70%1476.692312,59346.4%55.0%
55.20%1256.999613,39739.1%64.6%
47.32%1127.098513,71346.5%47.8%
46.79%1096.793812,44740.4%51.6%
53.77%1066.81,01212,43355.6%52.5%
46.53%1016.386212,36250.0%44.3%
51.00%1006.91,00413,36854.3%49.2%
55.56%816.688612,16659.4%53.1%
45.71%706.898012,31148.6%42.9%
40.30%676.81,01414,25838.9%40.8%
50.00%667.493413,15747.8%51.2%
62.30%616.71,00013,44660.0%63.4%
62.50%566.393912,25860.0%63.9%
50.00%547.01,02815,10136.4%53.5%
56.52%466.686613,07637.5%66.7%
61.36%446.687311,59337.5%75.0%
55.00%406.991812,85638.5%63.0%
37.14%356.788411,44921.4%47.6%
44.12%346.996013,15445.5%43.5%
50.00%346.71,07013,17357.1%45.0%
37.50%327.11,12911,52040.0%35.3%
48.28%296.989313,75944.4%50.0%
67.86%286.71,16913,39572.7%64.7%
65.38%267.191613,54755.6%70.6%
52.00%256.782412,77555.6%50.0%
41.67%246.91,05915,67116.7%50.0%
54.17%247.091513,33750.0%55.6%
55.00%207.51,07812,51770.0%40.0%
17.65%176.978510,78016.7%18.2%
56.25%167.095213,49416.7%80.0%
75.00%166.51,15512,06685.7%66.7%
40.00%156.973812,44540.0%40.0%
26.67%156.61,04411,9290.0%44.4%
41.67%124.75276,59644.4%33.3%
58.33%127.21,32118,7930.0%63.6%
27.27%116.987712,16533.3%25.0%
40.00%106.91,01613,78350.0%33.3%
70.00%106.01,21111,78875.0%66.7%
50.00%107.090711,84360.0%40.0%
55.56%96.06618,91560.0%50.0%
33.33%96.798612,4550.0%42.9%
66.67%96.994912,13760.0%75.0%
100.00%86.897912,095100.0%100.0%
25.00%86.791912,9240.0%33.3%
50.00%87.01,23112,95166.7%40.0%
50.00%86.996713,4390.0%80.0%
75.00%86.41,03111,28075.0%75.0%
50.00%86.51,08712,781100.0%42.9%
62.50%86.579411,40775.0%50.0%
57.14%76.494310,68960.0%50.0%
57.14%78.392511,51533.3%75.0%
71.43%77.01,04812,59350.0%80.0%
28.57%76.181210,92366.7%0.0%
16.67%66.685912,4460.0%16.7%
0.00%67.61,10915,1130.0%0.0%
66.67%67.21,05713,839100.0%60.0%
0.00%66.293512,3810.0%0.0%
50.00%66.071912,5600.0%50.0%
16.67%67.31,08814,8150.0%25.0%
66.67%66.51,1969,24250.0%100.0%
66.67%67.397712,730100.0%50.0%
0.00%56.11,13712,5920.0%0.0%
20.00%56.290713,6010.0%33.3%
40.00%57.89009,57450.0%33.3%
60.00%56.599010,64233.3%100.0%
60.00%57.779712,5560.0%75.0%
0.00%56.31,02913,2490.0%0.0%
80.00%57.81,26517,09650.0%100.0%

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Smolder vs Aphelios - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Smolder do against Aphelios in League of Legends?

Aphelios wins the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup with a 62.9% win rate compared to Smolder's 37.1%, a 25.7 percentage point difference. This data is based on 35 recent ranked games in patch 26.14.

How does Smolder do against Aphelios in the early game?

In the early game, Aphelios has the advantage against Smolder with a 78.6% win rate versus 21.4%. Aphelios players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Smolder do against Aphelios in the late game?

In the late game, Aphelios takes over the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup with a 52.4% win rate compared to 47.6%. Aphelios scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup?

Aphelios wins the matchup against Smolder with a 62.9% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.14. The 25.7 percentage point advantage means Aphelios is significantly favored in this lane matchup based on 35 games analyzed.

What is the best Smolder build against Aphelios?

The best Smolder build against Aphelios includes optimized core items. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Smolder runes against Aphelios?

The best Smolder runes against Aphelios use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 18.2% win rate in the Smolder vs Aphelios matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Smolder counter Aphelios?

No, Smolder struggles against Aphelios with only a 37.1% win rate. Aphelios has the advantage in this matchup. Smolder players should focus on safe farming and avoiding extended trades to minimize Aphelios's lead.

How do I play Smolder against Aphelios?

When playing Smolder against Aphelios, play cautiously and avoid Aphelios's power spikes. Look for jungle assistance and team-dependent plays since Aphelios has the statistical advantage at most stages. Use the matchup-specific build and runes above to optimize your chances.