Smolder - League of Legends Champion
Win Rate
52.0%
Pick Rate
6.8%

Smoldervs Caitlyn

AMarksmanMage
Patch26.11
Matches776,441
LaneAll Lanes
TierAll Tiers
Last UpdatedJun 5, 2026
MethodologyData Methodology

Smolder vs Caitlyn is a very close matchup in LoL patch 26.11. Smolder wins with a 50.1% win rate (+0.3%) over Caitlyn based on 1,063 games. Caitlyn wins the early laning phase while Smolder scales better into the late game. Below you'll find the best Smolder build, runes, laning stats, and strategies for the Smolder vs Caitlyn 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 - 50.1% win rate in this matchup
Smolder
50.1% WR
VS
Caitlyn vs Smolder matchup - 49.9% win rate
Caitlyn
49.9% WR

Who Wins the Smolder vs Caitlyn Matchup?

Smolder wins the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup
Winner
Smolder
Matches: 1,063
50.1%
Win Rate
49.9%
6.8
CS / min
6.9
920
DMG / min
915
13,337
Gold / game
13,777
202
Heal / min
190
414
DMG Mitigated / min
424
0.4
CC / min
0.6
46.8%
Early Game WR
53.2%
52.2%
Late Game WR
47.8%

Smolder vs Caitlyn Matchup Summary

The Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup is essentially a coin-flip matchup in League of Legends ranked play. Based on 1,063 recent matches analyzed, Smolder wins with a 50.1% win rate compared to Caitlyn's 49.9%, giving Smolder a 0.3 percentage point advantage. Game phase dynamics play a critical role here: Caitlyn controls the early laning stage, but Smolder outscales as the game goes longer. The matchup shifts dramatically depending on game length — Caitlyn needs to press advantages before Smolder reaches their power spikes, while Smolder should focus on safe farming and hitting key item breakpoints. The most significant statistical gap is in crowd control, where Caitlyn leads by 0.2s CC/min — a difference that heavily influences the outcome of trades and skirmishes. Smolder has a statistical edge, but the margin is close enough that respecting Caitlyn's strengths is important. Trade when cooldowns are favorable, track the enemy jungler, and build toward your strongest item spikes to convert the slight advantage into a decisive lead. Understanding these matchup dynamics is essential for champion select decisions and in-game strategy when facing this lane opponent.

Smolder vs Caitlyn Laning Phase Breakdown

Caitlyn wins the laning phase against Smolder in League of Legends

Caitlyn is favored during the laning phase against Smolder, winning 3 out of 5 key stat categories. Caitlyn holds advantages in farming, gold income and crowd control, making them the stronger laner in this matchup.

Farming
6.8Smolder
6.9Caitlyn
Smolder and Caitlyn farm at nearly identical rates in this matchup, with only a 0.1 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
920Smolder
915Caitlyn
Damage output is virtually even between Smolder and Caitlyn, with only 5 DMG/min separating them. Fights in this matchup are decided more by ability timing and positioning than raw damage numbers, making mechanical skill the deciding factor in trades.
Economy
13,337Smolder
13,777Caitlyn
Caitlyn earns 439 more gold per game than Smolder, equivalent to roughly one additional component item. This economic edge comes from a combination of better farming, kill participation, and objective control, giving Caitlyn slightly faster item completions.
Utility
0.4Smolder
0.6Caitlyn
Both Smolder and Caitlyn provide similar amounts of crowd control (0.2s/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
615Smolder
614Caitlyn
Smolder and Caitlyn have comparable sustain profiles, with only 1 HP/min separating their healing and damage mitigation. Neither champion can out-attrition the other in lane, so trades will be decided by burst potential and ability usage rather than sustain.

Best Smolder Build Against Caitlyn

Immortal Path is the optimal boots choice against Caitlyn, providing the mobility and stats Smolder needs most in this matchup. The top-performing core items for Smolder against Caitlyn are Essence Reaver, Spear of Shojin and Black Cleaver. This combination gives Smolder an effective balance of damage, survivability, and utility for the matchup. Adjustments may be needed based on team compositions and game state, but this build provides the strongest foundation for the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup.

Early Game vs Late Game

Early Game
Caitlyn
53.2%
+6.5% advantage
Smolder early game win rateSmolder46.8%
Caitlyn early game win rateCaitlyn53.2%
Late Game
Smolder
52.2%
+4.4% advantage
Smolder late game win rateSmolder52.2%
Caitlyn late game win rateCaitlyn47.8%

Caitlyn dominates the early game (first 15 minutes) with a commanding 53.2% win rate — a 6.5 percentage point lead over Smolder. This lopsided early game means Caitlyn can dictate the pace of the lane from level 1, controlling trades, wave state, and river priority.

In the late game (25+ minutes), Smolder takes over with a 52.2% win rate, leading Caitlyn by 4.4 percentage points. Smolder scales more effectively into team fights and objective contests.

This matchup features a dramatic power shift: Caitlyn must aggressively press their early advantage and close out the game before Smolder reaches their scaling breakpoints. If Smolder survives the laning phase without falling too far behind, the matchup flips in their favor. Dragon and Rift Herald control are pivotal — the team that secures early objectives can snowball or buy time to scale.

Best Smolder Runes Against Caitlyn

Sorcery rune tree - Smolder primary runes vs CaitlynSorcery
Deathfire Touch - best Smolder rune vs CaitlynNimbus Cloak - best Smolder rune vs CaitlynCelerity - best Smolder rune vs CaitlynGathering Storm - best Smolder rune vs Caitlyn
Inspiration rune tree - Smolder secondary runes vs CaitlynInspiration
Jack Of All Trades - best Smolder rune vs CaitlynCash Back - best Smolder rune vs Caitlyn
62.5% WR

The Sorcery primary with Inspiration secondary combination helps Smolder maximize their potential in this closely contested matchup, providing the right mix of offensive and defensive tools to edge out Caitlyn.


Smolder matchup data for League of Legends patch 26.11. 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 26.11
Opponent
Win Rate
Matches
CS/min
DMG/min
Gold/game
Early WR
Late WR
50.14%1,0636.892013,33746.8%52.2%
52.72%8086.792613,30347.1%56.6%
51.63%8006.691913,14050.3%52.5%
51.07%7936.992813,09550.1%51.8%
53.04%7906.789613,04346.7%57.4%
58.46%4676.997113,27749.7%63.7%
54.19%4066.997513,55443.8%61.1%
52.15%3726.997613,23353.2%51.4%
44.22%3466.686113,19041.2%46.2%
49.54%3256.894213,24046.7%51.6%
43.28%3056.998813,29638.5%46.5%
52.51%2996.795713,38947.5%55.8%
54.01%2876.795213,59050.0%56.9%
58.95%2856.998813,72257.3%60.1%
50.41%2426.994913,27740.6%58.1%
48.28%2326.995213,31848.5%48.1%
55.45%2026.899113,88243.0%63.4%
50.00%1726.992713,56145.1%53.5%
52.41%1667.395213,48152.0%52.8%
53.55%1557.092513,44138.6%62.2%
52.38%1476.91,05414,27043.4%57.5%
51.72%1167.51,03313,70463.8%43.5%
48.18%1106.699413,96630.0%58.6%
53.85%1046.787613,11041.2%60.0%
44.00%1006.889713,55231.4%50.8%
48.35%916.680812,82131.4%58.9%
46.34%826.71,08613,57337.0%50.9%
54.55%776.593113,94440.0%61.5%
51.35%746.882412,87932.0%61.2%
52.94%687.192012,73147.1%58.8%
58.21%677.099413,22250.0%65.7%
45.76%596.796313,45657.9%40.0%
56.14%577.31,05214,70136.8%65.8%
44.19%437.092113,33737.5%48.1%
45.24%427.21,04413,93050.0%42.9%
50.00%426.994513,16733.3%66.7%
48.72%397.01,17613,73042.9%52.0%
51.52%337.389911,85553.3%50.0%
34.38%326.989112,03129.4%40.0%
30.00%307.081311,47727.8%33.3%
62.96%277.386213,67157.1%65.0%
50.00%246.71,00013,57950.0%50.0%
52.17%236.789712,98855.6%50.0%
52.17%237.41,15612,96154.5%50.0%
59.09%226.497913,88642.9%66.7%
47.62%217.587513,70125.0%61.5%
47.37%196.51,06813,14428.6%58.3%
47.06%176.595812,19042.9%50.0%
35.29%177.198713,7430.0%46.1%
41.18%177.392212,00937.5%44.4%
41.18%176.81,04512,86440.0%41.7%
52.94%176.178911,96142.9%60.0%
56.25%166.01,25312,59050.0%60.0%
56.25%167.076011,64544.4%71.4%
56.25%167.01,32415,51650.0%58.3%
75.00%167.11,01614,08583.3%70.0%
40.00%156.386010,18428.6%50.0%
64.29%147.01,11314,21940.0%77.8%
71.43%147.21,40713,64350.0%80.0%
35.71%146.81,02610,58444.4%20.0%
28.57%146.985512,4360.0%50.0%
38.46%136.598213,35416.7%57.1%
53.85%136.596013,44366.7%50.0%
53.85%136.785512,72280.0%37.5%
53.85%136.999512,50642.9%66.7%
38.46%136.71,10012,4620.0%45.5%
27.27%116.995412,10425.0%28.6%
54.55%117.176611,43637.5%100.0%
18.18%116.65969,20716.7%20.0%
45.45%116.674512,14442.9%50.0%
80.00%107.11,06112,83775.0%83.3%
40.00%107.21,04714,46325.0%50.0%
60.00%106.71,18314,65433.3%71.4%
60.00%106.788810,00657.1%66.7%
50.00%107.01,22516,291100.0%37.5%
60.00%106.999314,336100.0%50.0%
55.56%97.194112,26460.0%50.0%
44.44%96.61,00811,04840.0%50.0%
66.67%96.81,08510,49360.0%75.0%
87.50%86.579313,693100.0%83.3%
50.00%86.05767,79860.0%33.3%
12.50%87.463210,31120.0%0.0%
50.00%86.275812,02150.0%50.0%
62.50%88.01,07614,75775.0%50.0%
37.50%87.31,20214,1310.0%50.0%
42.86%77.078811,09033.3%50.0%
42.86%76.392511,98250.0%40.0%
57.14%76.59538,33350.0%66.7%
42.86%75.71,0988,97260.0%0.0%
66.67%66.593911,09433.3%100.0%
33.33%68.083412,04833.3%33.3%
50.00%66.175814,7840.0%60.0%
50.00%66.393711,42933.3%66.7%
50.00%67.073910,87350.0%50.0%
50.00%67.11,20312,44633.3%66.7%
60.00%57.01,0159,37833.3%100.0%
60.00%56.71,22013,04050.0%66.7%
40.00%57.374211,42450.0%0.0%
20.00%55.276511,06333.3%0.0%
40.00%56.377412,8620.0%50.0%
60.00%57.391114,8880.0%60.0%
40.00%56.41,01213,72550.0%33.3%
20.00%57.398014,209100.0%0.0%

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Smolder vs Caitlyn - Frequently Asked Questions

How does Smolder do against Caitlyn in League of Legends?

Smolder wins the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup with a 50.1% win rate compared to Caitlyn's 49.9%, a 0.3 percentage point difference. This data is based on 1,063 recent ranked games in patch 26.11.

How does Smolder do against Caitlyn in the early game?

In the early game, Caitlyn has the advantage against Smolder with a 53.2% win rate versus 46.8%. Caitlyn players should look to press their lane advantage through aggressive trades and wave control during the first 15 minutes.

How does Smolder do against Caitlyn in the late game?

In the late game, Smolder takes over the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup with a 52.2% win rate compared to 47.8%. Smolder scales better into team fights and objective contests after 25 minutes.

Who wins the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup?

Smolder wins the matchup against Caitlyn with a 50.1% win rate in League of Legends patch 26.11. The 0.3 percentage point advantage means Smolder is slightly favored in this lane matchup based on 1,063 games analyzed.

What is the best Smolder build against Caitlyn?

The best Smolder build against Caitlyn includes Essence Reaver, Spear of Shojin, Black Cleaver with Immortal Path. Check the matchup breakdown above for the full item path and build order.

What are the best Smolder runes against Caitlyn?

The best Smolder runes against Caitlyn use the Sorcery primary tree with Inspiration secondary. This rune setup achieves a 62.5% win rate in the Smolder vs Caitlyn matchup. See the full rune breakdown in the matchup comparison above.

Does Smolder counter Caitlyn?

Yes, Smolder has a favorable matchup against Caitlyn with a 50.1% win rate. Smolder slightly edges out Caitlyn in lane based on current patch 26.11 data.

How do I play Smolder against Caitlyn?

When playing Smolder against Caitlyn, leverage your statistical advantages by trading aggressively during favorable windows. Play safe early and scale into your power spikes where you outperform Caitlyn. Build the recommended items and runes for this specific matchup for the best results.