How to Play Smolder Mid: Tips & Power Spikes (26.20)

Max order: Q > W > E
First item: Essence Reaver12.1 min
Gold vs lane at 15: −637
Win rate 1k gold behind: 23.0%

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Smolder Power Spikes (Patch 26.20)

Mid

When Smolder Mid gets stronger, in the order it happens in a typical ranked game: ability unlocks from the most common skill order, item spikes at the median minute players finish them, and the game length Smolder wins most.

Lv 3
All three basic abilities at level 3
Smolder's full combo is online — the first point where trading all-in is realistic.
Lv 6
Ultimate rank 1 at level 6
The biggest early spike: look for a kill or a roam as soon as Smolder hits it.
Lv 11
Ultimate rank 2 at level 11
Lower ultimate cooldown means more fights Smolder can start or win.
Lv 16
Ultimate rank 3 at level 16
Lower ultimate cooldown means more fights Smolder can start or win.
12.1 min
First item at 12.1 min
Essence Reaver is done — Smolder's first real damage or durability spike.
20.9 min
Two items at 20.9 min
Essence Reaver + Black Cleaver: the window to group and take objectives.
40 min
Strongest in games of about 40 minutes
Smolder wins 58.7% of games that end around this point.

Item timings are medians: half of players finish later. Fall behind in farm and every item spike moves back with it.

Smolder Mid Laning Plan

Smolder scales: losing a little gold in lane is normal. Farm safely, avoid early all-ins and win the late game. On average Smolder Mid is 637 gold behind the lane opponent at 15 minutes and ahead in only 29% of games. Smolder averages 0.32 solo kills by 15 minutes.

Smolder win rate by gold at 15

Ahead65.2%
Behind38.4%
1,000+ gold behind23.0%

Smolder Mid and Late Game

What Smolder does better or worse than other champions after laning, from this patch's ranked games — percentiles where 100 is the highest of every champion.

Play to these strengths

Smolder is a main damage source (94/100): stay alive and in range for the whole fight rather than diving first.
Smolder farms well (percentile 93): keep catching side waves between fights.
Smolder wins 5.6 points more in long games than short ones: avoid coin-flip fights early and let the game go long.

Mistakes to avoid

Vision is a weak spot (6/100): buy Control Wards and sweep before you face-check.

Playing Smolder

Smolder has a vulnerable early game. Focus on passive stacking and staying alive to become a strong dragon later!
Smolder relies on his team to keep him safe. Try to find allies who can help you against enemy threats.
Smolder can do a lot of damage to areas of enemies. Look for attack opportunities where the enemies are close together.

Playing Against Smolder

Smolder relies on his team for safety. Attack him when his team can't save him.
Don't group up when facing Smolder!
Smolder is very vulnerable in the early stages. Try to take advantage of his weakness before he can learn how to be a dragon!
Smolders flight can be interrupted by hard CC and impacted by slows.

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How to Play Smolder FAQ - Patch 26.20

When does Smolder power spike?

Smolder's spikes in a typical ranked game: All three basic abilities at level 3; Ultimate rank 1 at level 6; Ultimate rank 2 at level 11; Ultimate rank 3 at level 16; First item at 12.1 min.

Can Smolder come back from behind?

Smolder wins 38% of games when behind in gold at 15 minutes (over 159 games), against 65% when ahead — so a lost lane costs Smolder games, but it is not decisive.

What is Smolder's first item?

Most Smolder players finish Essence Reaver first, at a median of 12.1 minutes.

How do you play Smolder Mid?

From this patch's ranked data, Smolder wins by playing to these strengths: survive and deal damage in teamfights; keep farming side waves; play for the late game.

Smolder How to Play: Tips & Power Spikes