League of Legends Smolder Guide: Best Build, Runes & Combos

Smolder is one of the most unique champions in League of Legends, combining long-range poke, powerful scaling, and flashy late-game damage. Whether you’re dominating the bot lane or looking to master his kit for ranked play, learning how to maximize his abilities, choose the best runes, and build the right items is key to unlocking his full potential. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to play Smolder like a pro—from his ideal build path to his most effective combos.

Smolder Abilities Overview In League of Legends 

Here’s a breakdown of Smolder’s abilities in League of Legends:

Passive – Dragon Practice
Smolder gains stacks by hitting enemies with abilities and scoring kills. As his stacks grow, his abilities become stronger, giving him increased range and damage over time. This passive rewards consistent poking and farming throughout the game.

Q – Super Scorcher Breath
Smolder unleashes a short burst of fire that deals damage to a target. If the target is below a certain health threshold, it executes them. At higher stack levels, this ability also deals area-of-effect damage, making it a strong wave-clear and poke tool.

W – Achooo!
He sneezes a fiery projectile in a target direction, dealing damage and slowing enemies it hits. This is Smolder’s primary poking and utility ability, perfect for zoning or chasing enemies down.

E – Flap, Flap, Flap
Smolder takes to the air and dashes to a target location, gaining movement speed for a short duration. It’s a versatile mobility tool for repositioning, escaping, or diving onto targets.

R – MMOOOMMMM!
Smolder calls in his dragon mom to fly over the map and scorch enemies in a line, dealing massive damage and knocking up enemies in the center of the path. It’s a game-changing ultimate that can swing team fights or snipe fleeing opponents across the map.

How To Play Smolder in League of Legends

Best Summoner Spells For Smolder

The best summoner spells for Smolder are Flash and Heal. Flash gives Smolder a much-needed escape or engage tool, letting him reposition quickly during fights or avoid dangerous skill shots. Heal provides sustain in lane and a speed boost during clutch moments, helping him survive dives or turn skirmishes around. If you’re playing Smolder in the mid lane, you can also swap Heal for Teleport for better map pressure and lane control.

Best Runes For Smolder

The best runes for Smolder are from the Precision tree, with Fleet Footwork as the keystone for strong sustain and kiting. Pair it with Presence of Mind to keep your mana topped up during extended trades, Legend: Alacrity for attack speed, and Coup de Grace to help finish off low-health enemies. For secondaries, go Resolve with Bone Plating to absorb poke and Overgrowth for extra scaling durability. This setup gives Smolder sustain, safety in lane, and great scaling into the late game.

Best Build For Smolder

The best build for Smolder in League of Legends focuses on scaling, survivability, and consistent poke damage. Start with Doran’s Blade and a Health Potion. Your first core item should be Manamune, which gives sustain and tons of damage once it transforms into Muramana. Follow it up with Trinity Force for attack speed, health, and stronger trades. After that, build Serylda’s Grudge for armor penetration and slow on your abilities, then Maw of Malmortius if you’re facing heavy AP burst or Guardian Angel for teamfight safety. Finish with Lord Dominik’s Regards or Bloodthirster depending on whether you need more damage or sustain. For boots, go Plated Steelcaps or Mercury’s Treads based on enemy threats.

Best Combos To Learn For Smolder

Here are the best Smolder combos to learn so you can dominate both lane and teamfights:

1. Basic Poke Combo: Use Q (Super Scorcher Breath) to hit enemies from range, then back off. It’s great for stacking and keeping pressure on your lane opponent.
2. Trade Combo: Start with W (Aerial Ace) to dash in, auto attack, then immediately follow up with Q. Use this when going in for short trades—fast and safe.
3. All-In Combo: Engage with W, auto attack, use Q, then drop E (Sky Dive) for bonus damage and mobility. If your R (MMOOOM!) is up, finish the combo with it for a burst of AoE damage.
4. Teamfight Combo: In bigger fights, stay safe at the back. Use E to reposition, poke with Q, then R when enemies are grouped up or fleeing. Follow with W and auto attacks to clean up.

Practicing the timing and spacing on these combos will help you maximize Smolder’s damage and survivability in every fight.

Conclusion

Smolder might look adorable, but with the right build, runes, and combos, he becomes a deadly force in any match. Whether you’re poking safely in lane or diving into chaotic teamfights, mastering his kit is the key to unleashing his true potential. Use his mobility, range, and burst wisely, and you’ll be carrying games in no time.