Hello, it's me, MisterFirstBlood from EUW. Finally, with the release of Smolder, we have a fresh new ADC. Smolder is a super cool-looking small dragon that scales exceptionally well into the late game. Today, I want to give you a short introduction on how to play Smolder and what to build.

We'll explore Smolder's abilities, item builds, runes, and in-game strategies to help you maximize the potential of this unique ADC. Whether you're looking to dominate your lane or become a late-game powerhouse, this guide will provide you with the insights you need to master Smolder.

Passive: Dragon Practice
Innate: Smolder generates a stack of Dragon Practice each time he hits an enemy champion with an ability, or whenever Super Scorcher Breath kills a Minion or Monster. His basic abilities deal bonus magic damage based on stacks.

Super Scorcher Breath: Deals bonus magic damage equal to 40% − 52% (based on critical strike chance) of Dragon Practice stacks.
Achooo!: Explosions deal bonus magic damage equal to 55% of Dragon Practice stacks.
Flap, Flap, Flap: Attacks each deal bonus magic damage equal to 20% of Dragon Practice stacks.

Q: Super Scorcher Breath
Active: Smolder spits a fireball at the target enemy that deals physical damage, increased by 0% − 30% (based on critical strike chance), and applies on-hit and on-attack effects at 100% effectiveness and life steal at 50% effectiveness.

25 stacks: The fireball explodes upon collision to deal the same physical damage to nearby enemies.
125 stacks: The fireball sends forth 2 (+ 1 per 100 Dragon Practice stacks) bolts of fire in an arc upon collision that explode at maximum range, dealing 75% of the same physical damage to enemies hit.
225 stacks: Enemies hit are set on fire for 3 seconds, causing them to take bonus true damage equal to 6.5% of their maximum health over the duration, capped at 300 against monsters. Enemy champions are also executed if they are damaged to or while below 2% (+ 1% per 40 Dragon Practice stacks) of their maximum health.

W: Achooo!
Active: Smolder sneezes a fiery glob in the target direction that deals physical damage to enemies hit and slows them by 35% for 1.5 seconds, slowing down in missile speed after traveling 1200 units. Hitting an enemy champion creates an explosion that deals physical damage to nearby enemies, with subsequent explosions against the same target dealing 75% damage of the previous explosion's damage.

E: Flap, Flap, Flap
Active: Smolder takes flight for 1.25 seconds, gaining 100% bonus movement speed, unobstructed vision, and the ability to ignore terrain collision. While in flight, he automatically fires up to 5 − 10 (based on critical strike chance) bolts at the nearest and most wounded visible enemy, dealing physical damage with each hit and prioritizing enemy champions.

R: MMOOOMMMM!
Active: Smolder takes flight for 1.25 seconds, gaining 100% bonus movement speed, unobstructed vision, and the ability to ignore terrain collision. While in flight, he automatically fires up to 5 − 10 (based on critical strike chance) bolts at the nearest and most wounded visible enemy, dealing physical damage with each hit and prioritizing enemy champions.]]
Active: Smolder shouts for his mother to attack from above, causing her to exhale a wave of fire from behind him and towards the target direction, granting sight of its surroundings as it travels. The wave heals Smolder and deals physical damage to enemies hit, with those in the center taking 30% increased damage and becoming slowed by 40% for 2 seconds.

Fleet Footwork can be applied with your Q and grants you a ton of sustain. Your mana problems are not completely solved, but the combination of starting with Doran's Ring and Presence of Mind can be enough until you grab your Essence Reaver, which then does the rest. Legend: Bloodline and Cut Down are the best generic choices, while others might be better in specific scenarios.

Inspiration is a good way to save money and ensure you reach the late game a bit earlier by taking Magical Footwear and Biscuit Delivery. That's why I think it's the best choice for your secondary tree, no matter which of the two recommended build paths you choose.

The best items to start with are either Doran's Ring for more comfortable laning with fewer mana issues or Doran's Blade for stronger all-in scenarios.

When it comes to itemization, your three main items should be Essence Reaver, Rapid Firecannon, and Spear of Shojin. After that, build according to your current needs:

Lord Dominik's Regards for armor penetration

Bloodthirster against poke

Immortal Shieldbow against burst

Muramana or Trinity Force if you want to maximize your damage

Boots of Swiftness increase your E range, so it's easier to surpass bigger walls with them compared to Ionian Boots of Lucidity, which would be the next best option.

Try to scale. The only way you can survive the early game is by avoiding all-ins unless you are 100% sure to win. If your jungler is able to bring you ahead, great. If not, just take the CS, try not to get dived, and farm and poke until you have enough stacks to be a real champ.

You can jump over walls with your E. It has a long cooldown in early levels and is your only real escape, so make sure to have it ready in case you get ganked. Only use it offensively if you are sure you will win the all-in.

You can use W defensively by slowing enemies chasing you. Combined with your E, you might escape some dangerous situations.

Try to be in the center of your R's direction to receive healing if needed. If you are already full health, don't ruin your positioning by greedily going for a heal that doesn't benefit you.

Secure Red buff in the late game when you have enough stacks to execute enemies with your Q; it can make the difference.

Strengths:

🟢 Great design

🟢 Infinite scaling

🟢 Great waveclear

🟢 Solid poke

Weaknesses:

🔴 Not a lot of mobility and high cooldown on it

🔴 One of the weaker early game champions

🔴 Unable to freeze the lanes (because you are consistently pushing when grabbing Q stacks due to its AoE damage)

🔴 Mana problems early on

All in all, I'm really hyped to see a new champion in the bot lane, especially one as cool-looking as Smolder. As a small dragon with impressive scaling into the late game, Smolder brings a fresh and exciting dynamic to the ADC role.
If you enjoyed my guide, I would appreciate a vote. Also, if you want to see more of my content, check out my other ADC guides.

Here are links to my other guides:
Caitlyn
Ezreal
Jinx
Xayah
Miss Fortune
Draven
Ashe
Jhin
Kalista
Kog'Maw
Lucian
Sivir
Tristana
Twitch
Varus
Vayne
Kaisa
Zeri
Samira
Aphelios
Senna
Nilah
Smolder