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Game patch 26.20Data Dragon 16.20.1

Reference patch 16.20.1

Smolder Mid · Normal Draft

Smolder has a reviewed secondary role here. It is less common than the primary roles, but it has a recognisable role-specific plan.

Reviewed secondaryStandard Summoner's Rift preparation
Champion overview
Historical referenceRecommendation review pending

These patches track recommendation review, build validation and item lookup separately. Updating item data does not complete a build review.

Recommendation patch
16.16 Data Dragon
Build validation patch
16.19.1 Data Dragon
Item lookup patch
16.20.1 Data Dragon

Normal Draft · Mid

Spellcaster marksman

Follow the completed-item order as a pre-game reference. Components and owned items do not create extra inventory slots.

Reviewed secondary
S
Draft / Ranked opening · separate from item 1

Doran's Blade

450 gold

This is the most-supported Draft/Ranked starting item in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Compare its durability, sustain and damage trade-off before leaving base.

1
Ability core

Essence Reaver

3,050 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

2
Haste boots

Ionian Boots of Lucidity

900 gold

This is the most-supported Boots choice in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot; change it when the opposing damage or crowd control calls for a different defence.

3
Spellblade core

Black Cleaver

3,000 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

4
Ability haste

Spear of Shojin

3,100 gold

This item is part of the most-supported coherent core in the frozen prior-patch public role snapshot. Treat the sample as context, then adjust only for a clearly identified matchup problem.

5
Late sustain

Infinity Edge

3,500 gold

Keeps a reviewed late option after the prior-patch cross-check; move or replace it only when its stated match problem is present.

6
Late sustain

Bloodthirster

3,400 gold

Completes the six-item inventory with high attack damage and sustain for extended late fights.

Complete build choices

Choose the route before play

Recommendation review pending

AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Ability hasteSpear of Shojin
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Ability hasteSpear of Shojin
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Spellblade coreBlack Cleaver
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Spellblade coreBlack Cleaver
  4. Void Staff
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Complete build comparison

Complete build comparison

Recommendation review pending

Build review neededSpellcaster marksmanRecommendation review pendingView full route

Recommendation review pending

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Spellblade coreBlack Cleaver
  4. Ability hasteSpear of Shojin
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeToo much healingMorellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.View full route

Best when: Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Morellonomicon
  4. Ability hasteSpear of Shojin
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey burst meZhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.View full route

Best when: Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Zhonya's Hourglass
  4. Ability hasteSpear of Shojin
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeOne spell stops meBanshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.View full route

Best when: Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Spellblade coreBlack Cleaver
  4. Banshee's Veil
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster
AlternativeThey stack magic resistVoid Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.View full route

Best when: Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

  1. Ability coreEssence Reaver
  2. Haste bootsIonian Boots of Lucidity
  3. Spellblade coreBlack Cleaver
  4. Void Staff
  5. Late sustainInfinity Edge
  6. Late sustainBloodthirster

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsSmolderMid

A marksman Mid route needs a controlled attack sequence and protection from the shorter lane's burst and gank angles.

Normal Draft
Primary tree

Precision

Press the AttackPresence of MindLegend: AlacrityCut Down
Secondary tree

Resolve

Bone PlatingOvergrowth
Summoner spells
FlashBarrier
Choose pressure or recovery

Ignite supports a short kill window; Teleport supports recall and map timing; Barrier protects against immediate burst.

Protect the wave plan

A more aggressive spell pair does not replace safe wave timing, river vision or an escape route.

Static alternatives

Compare the problem before changing the plan

These choices are not selected from live scores. Use one only after you identify the stated match problem yourself.

Too much healing

Morellonomicon

Morellonomicon applies anti-heal. Buy it earlier only when healing is already deciding fights.

They burst me

Zhonya's Hourglass

Zhonya's stasis can absorb a committed dive or lethal burst window.

One spell stops me

Banshee's Veil

Banshee's spell shield can protect the first important cast against you.

They stack magic resist

Void Staff

Void Staff becomes valuable when the target has bought meaningful magic resistance.

Kit reference

Smolder abilities

Ability names, descriptions and numeric fields come from Riot Data Dragon. Practical reads are independently written; the current in-game tooltip remains authoritative.

Abilities Data Dragon 16.20.1Cooldown / Cost / Range Data Dragon 16.20.1
P
Passive

Dragon Practice

What it doesHitting champions with Abilities and killing enemies with Super Scorcher Breath grants a stack of Dragon Practice. Stacks increase the damage of Smolders basic Abilities.

Practical readDragon Practice is an automatic part of the kit involving damage. Track when its condition is active instead of treating every fight the same way.

Q
Q ability

Super Scorcher Breath

What it doesSmolder breathes fire on an enemy. As he gains more stacks, this ability becomes more powerful.

Practical readSuper Scorcher Breath is part of Smolder's Q pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown5.5/5/4.5/4/3.5 secCost25Listed range550 units
W
W ability

Achooo!

What it doesSmolder lets out an adorable flaming sneeze that explodes when hitting enemy champions.

Practical readAchooo! is part of Smolder's W pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown14/13/12/11/10 secCost50/55/60/65/70Listed range1500 units
E
E ability

Flap, Flap, Flap

What it doesSmolder takes flight ignoring terrain and bombarding the lowest health enemy.

Practical readFlap, Flap, Flap is part of Smolder's E pattern. Read its listed effect first, then track the cooldown and condition that make the next use valuable.

Cooldown24/22/20/18/16 secCost65Listed range700 units
R
Ultimate

MMOOOMMMM!

What it doesSmolder calls his mom to breath fire from above, dealing extra damage and slowing enemies in the center of her fire.

Practical readMMOOOMMMM! contributes a slowing effect and damage. Its value changes with cooldown, range and target access; recognise the setup before moving into its effective area.

Cooldown120/110/100 secCost100Listed range4200 units

Adapt the plan

What to do when the game changes

Judge the whole lane or map state, not only personal kills. Choose the situation closest to the current game.

Even plan

Manage the wave and keep both sides of the map visible

1
Lane

Trade when your key ability and minion position favour you; an even lane does not require a forced solo kill.

2
Map play

Move on a completed wave and return before several waves are lost to the tower.

3
Fights

Position for the champion's reliable damage or control instead of beginning with the lowest-percentage spell.

Pings, movement and objectives

Smolder Mid map plan

Mid can reach either side, but the wave pays for every move. Communicate the opponent first, then move only when the route and destination are credible.

Ahead

Use priority to arrive first, not recklessly

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing when the opponent leaves, On My Way before entering river and Danger on the route the opponent may use.
Stay or roam
Roam after clearing the wave and choose the side where allies can participate. Return before several waves are lost.
Objective
Reach river with the Jungler, control one entrance and preserve the spell that stops an enemy engage or secures the first target.
Even

Turn one managed wave into map pressure

Ping
Use Enemy Missing immediately, then On My Way only when you are genuinely moving rather than considering it.
Stay or roam
Move after the wave is handled. If following requires entering fog alone, ping Danger and take the safe route instead.
Objective
Help establish river vision before the start. Do not burn the only control spell on poke if it is needed to protect the entrance.
Behind

Clear safely and warn both side lanes

Ping
Ping Enemy Missing early and repeat Danger on the threatened side. Use Retreat if matching the roam would expose you to another kill.
Stay or roam
Follow through established vision or remain Mid and recover farm. A late blind follow often loses both positions.
Objective
Approach behind the front line and use reliable control or range. Trade the objective if the team cannot safely enter river.
Objective setup

Four calls, in order

Pings create a shared plan; they do not replace checking waves, vision and who can move.

  1. 1
    Handle the wave

    Push, catch or communicate the wave before leaving so the opponent does not gain a free move and free income.

  2. 2
    Signal the route

    Use On My Way for the route you are actually taking and Danger where an unseen opponent may arrive.

  3. 3
    Enter together

    Move through controlled vision with the Jungler or another ally instead of face-checking the objective alone.

  4. 4
    Choose the job

    Decide whether you are engaging, front-lining, flanking or protecting a carry before the fight begins.

Later objectives: Repeat the same process around later major objectives: handle nearby income, communicate the route, enter through vision and agree on the fight before committing.

Use the guide

Put Smolder into a real matchup

Compare a specific opponent, return to the champion overview, or choose another champion without losing the queue distinction.

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