Bot · Ranked FlexMatchup guidePatch 16.20.1

Samira vs Smolder

Build, runes, abilities and practical pre-game checks in one queue-aware reference.

Role fit

BotSamira

Samira has an established Bot carry plan that can scale through shared-lane farm and work with a Support partner.

Primary role

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

Ranked Flex · Bot

Evidence-supported Samira Bot

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

Primary role

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.

First item

The Collector

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.

Boots

Gluttonous Greaves

1,000 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.

Core

Infinity Edge

3,500 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.

Late

Lord Dominik's Regards

3,300 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.

Flexible

Guardian Angel

3,200 gold

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

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 healingMortal Reminder combines armour penetration with anti-heal.

View full route

Best when: Mortal Reminder combines armour penetration with anti-heal.

First itemThe Collector
BootsGluttonous Greaves
CoreInfinity Edge
Mortal Reminder
FlexibleGuardian Angel
Late sustainBloodthirster

AlternativeMagic damage reaches meWit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

View full route

Best when: Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

First itemThe Collector
BootsGluttonous Greaves
CoreInfinity Edge
Wit's End
FlexibleGuardian Angel
Late sustainBloodthirster

Runes and summoner spells

Runes and summoner spellsSamiraBot

This short-range carry page builds through a committed fight rather than uninterrupted ranged attacks. Barrier protects the entry and return-damage window.

Ranked Flex

Primary tree

Precision

Conqueror

Triumph

Legend: Bloodline

Last Stand

Secondary tree

Resolve

Bone Plating

Revitalize

Summoner spells

Flash

Barrier

Coordinate the Support

Avoid duplicating the same defensive spell without a reason. Barrier protects the user; Heal can protect both nearby lane partners.

Cleanse is specific

Choose Cleanse only when removable crowd control is the lane or fight problem and you can use it reliably.

Matchup notes

What changes when Smolder is opposite you?

Pre-game kit comparison

Strategic interaction

Threaten a committed fight

A mobile all-in pattern can challenge a fragile spell caster when key control is unavailable.

Mid game

The clearest window is around first completed items, roams and isolated targets before every fight becomes fully grouped.

Your plan

Use the route you prepared

Treat Vex as one part of the map state. Their Jungler, nearby waves and which teammates can move determine whether the same trade or rotation is safe.

Ability reminders

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!

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

Mortal Reminder

Mortal Reminder combines armour penetration with anti-heal.

Magic damage reaches me

Wit's End

Wit's End adds magic resistance without giving up attack speed.

Ability reference

Compare both kits

Ability reference Data Dragon 16.20.1

Cooldown (s) / Cost / Listed range (units) Data Dragon 16.20.1

Samira

P
Daredevil Impulse
Samira builds a combo by hitting attacks or abilities unique from the previous hit. Samira's attacks in melee range deal additional magic damage. Samira's attacks against enemies affected by Immobilizing effects will dash her to her attack range. If the enemy is Knocked Up, she also keeps them Knocked Up briefly.
Q
Flair
Samira fires a shot or swings her sword, dealing damage. If cast during Wild Rush, strike all enemies in her path upon completion.
Cooldown (s) 6/5/4/3/2 · Cost 30 · Listed range (units) 950
W
Blade Whirl
Samira slashes around her, damaging enemies and destroying enemy missiles.
Cooldown (s) 30/28/26/24/22 · Cost 60 · Listed range (units) 325
E
Wild Rush
Samira dashes through an enemy (including structures), slashing enemies she passes through and gaining Attack Speed. Killing an enemy champion refreshes this ability's cooldown.
Cooldown (s) 20/18/16/14/12 · Cost 40 · Listed range (units) 600
R
Inferno Trigger
Samira unleashes a torrent of shots from her weapons, wildly shooting all enemies surrounding her.
Cooldown (s) 5 · Listed range (units) 600

Smolder

P
Dragon Practice
Hitting champions with Abilities and killing enemies with Super Scorcher Breath grants a stack of Dragon Practice. Stacks increase the damage of Smolders basic Abilities.
Q
Super Scorcher Breath
Smolder breathes fire on an enemy. As he gains more stacks, this ability becomes more powerful.
Cooldown (s) 5.5/5/4.5/4/3.5 · Cost 25 · Listed range (units) 550
W
Achooo!
Smolder lets out an adorable flaming sneeze that explodes when hitting enemy champions.
Cooldown (s) 14/13/12/11/10 · Cost 50/55/60/65/70 · Listed range (units) 1500
E
Flap, Flap, Flap
Smolder takes flight ignoring terrain and bombarding the lowest health enemy.
Cooldown (s) 24/22/20/18/16 · Cost 65 · Listed range (units) 700
R
MMOOOMMMM!
Smolder calls his mom to breath fire from above, dealing extra damage and slowing enemies in the center of her fire.
Cooldown (s) 120/110/100 · Cost 100 · Listed range (units) 4200

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

Prioritise farm, spacing and coordination with Support

Lane

Match the opposing carry's income and trade when both lane partners can participate.

Map play

Finish the wave before rotating unless the fight is immediate and clearly reachable.

Fights

Stand behind allied control and build damage on reachable targets before stepping toward the back line.

Pings, movement and objectives

Samira Bot map plan

Protect income and coordinate with Support. Your movement should follow the wave, while your pings make target choice and danger clear before the fight begins.

Ahead

Carry the lead into the next safe fight

Ping: Use Target on the reachable opponent, Danger when Support or Jungle is too far away, and On My Way after the wave is secured.
Farm or rotate: Finish the wave, recall on the item timing and rotate with protection. Do not cross river alone to save a few seconds.
Objective: Attack from the safe side of the objective and keep damaging the nearest reachable threat. Preserving the shutdown matters more than chasing.

Even

Build the item timing and move together

Ping: Use Target to align with Support, Enemy Missing when either Bot opponent leaves and Danger if an engage begins outside your safe range.
Farm or rotate: Rotate after the wave or when the objective fight is immediate and reachable. Communicate if staying for the wave is the safer call.
Objective: Enter behind vision and allied control. Keep a route away from the enemy engage before starting sustained damage.

Behind

Shorten exposure and recover guaranteed gold

Ping: Use Retreat before Support or Jungle forces a fight you cannot damage, and Enemy Missing as soon as the winning Bot lane leaves.
Farm or rotate: Avoid being first into river. Move with Support after the safe wave, or trade an unsafe objective for protected farm.
Objective: Stand beside peel and attack whoever enters safe range. Do not cross enemy control to reach the opposing carry.

Objective setup

Four calls, in order

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

1
Secure the wave
Finish safe farm and communicate the recall or move before the objective setup begins.
2
Enter protected
Walk with Support or another ally and choose the side where enemy engage cannot reach you first.
3
Set attack space
Keep an exit route and identify the nearest target you can damage without crossing enemy control.
4
Stay alive
Continue useful damage without chasing away from the objective or donating a shutdown.

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.

Keep preparing

Use the champion page or choose another opponent

The matchup page is a pre-game reference. It does not predict the result or alter its recommendation from changing live match data.

Open full build Compare counter options

Samira vs Smolder

Choose the matchup

BotSamira