Safeguarded scaling carry build: Smolder does not win because he theoretically scales, but because he reaches his breakpoints without getting pushed off the map first. The build must therefore support his damage growth, his right to kite, and enough safety for his stacks to become a real win condition.
Standard build maximizing damage output. Use on neutral matchups or when ahead.
14,700 total cost
Nothing dominates on the other side: the standard build maximizes your damage.
Open this draft in the tool →Anti-resist build for tanky enemies. Choose when multiple enemies build armor/magic resist.
15,250 total cost +550gDefensive build adding survivability. Pick this against high enemy damage or when behind.
14,950 total cost +250g
Share of the roster this champion outclasses, at each stage of the game.
50% = average for the roster at that point of the game, 90% = among the strongest. The three phases come from the site's editorial tempo grid (early/mid/late, rated across 142 champions); the level-by-level curve adds this build's computed spikes — ultimate, completed items — never by more than ±8 points.
Your hardest matchups in this role, and the item from your situational list that answers each one.
Standard build maximizing damage output. Use on neutral matchups or when ahead.
15,150 total costNothing dominates on the other side: the standard build maximizes your damage.
Open this draft in the tool →Anti-resist build for tanky enemies. Choose when multiple enemies build armor/magic resist.
15,250 total cost +100gDefensive build adding survivability. Pick this against high enemy damage or when behind.
14,950 total cost -200g
Share of the roster this champion outclasses, at each stage of the game.
50% = average for the roster at that point of the game, 90% = among the strongest. The three phases come from the site's editorial tempo grid (early/mid/late, rated across 142 champions); the level-by-level curve adds this build's computed spikes — ultimate, completed items — never by more than ±8 points.
Your hardest matchups in this role, and the item from your situational list that answers each one.
Same advisor in the Draft (the MVP sheet applies it to your real draft) and in Ask Nexus, which explains the choice. On counters pages: the variant to take against each counter-pick.
Skill leveling order and rune choices explained, from our in-depth kit analysis (patch 7.0e). Ability numbers are from patch 7.3; up-to-date items are in the section above.
Smolder plays to reach a threshold where his damage becomes unavoidable. His build accelerates this while ensuring survival.
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Tap an ability for its per-rank numbers. Source: official Tencent data (Chinese server), patch 7.3 — may lead or lag the global server by a sub-patch.
Mobility for to reposition and sustain in lane during his scaling stacks Q.
The flat bonus props up your weak early game while Q stacks climb toward the execute.
Finishes burned targets with the R Please, Please, Please! at very long range.
More attack speed means more autos between Qs — your mixed DPS holds up in long fights.
Reduces enemy punishes during his phase accumulation stacks in early game.
Coup De Grace
Giant Slayer
