Another Rework Has Hit The Rift - Smolder Mini Rework Might Save Him

Riot Games is shaking up Summoner’s Rift once again, this time breathing new life into Smolder with a series of buffs and nerfs aimed at improving his current status as the lowest win-rate marksman in the game. While many champion updates merely tweak numbers here and there, these changes could significantly alter his playstyle and build options. Here’s a Closer look at the rework and what it might mean for Smolder’s future in League of legends.

Empowered W for a Stronger Early Game

One of the biggest changes comes to Smolder’s W:

Early-Game Damage Increase: The base damage at lower ranks has been substantially increased, giving him more potency in the early laning phase. This could help Smolder mains secure minions more easily and apply additional pressure in skirmishes.
Late-Game Damage Reduction: At max rank, there’s a slight damage decrease, balancing out his newly enhanced early aggressiveness.
Reduced Explosion Damage Early, Higher AD Scaling: The explosion damage on contact with enemy champions has been tuned down at the start, but now scales better with Attack Damage (AD). This means players who itemize aggressively will feel stronger mid-to-late game.

This emphasis on early power could shift how aggressive Smolder mains can be from level one, possibly turning him into a lane bully if played correctly.

E Buffs for Greater Mid-Game Presence

Smolder’s E also sees significant boosts:

Base Damage Bump: From 525 to 1030 damage, a massive leap that raises the skill’s threat potential.
Improved AD Scaling: Scaling increases from 25% to 30%, offering more payoff for building AD-heavy items.

These changes encourage Smolder mains to be more proactive with their E—whether for poke or all-in fights. The risk of using the ability becomes more manageable when the potential reward is so high, especially during pivotal mid-game engagements.

Ultimate Cooldown: More Frequent Dragon Strikes

The most exciting update revolves around Smolder’s Ultimate:

Static Cooldown Removed: Originally stuck at 122 seconds at every rank, it now drops to 100 seconds at max rank.
Potential 60-Second Cooldown Late-Game: With a full build and enough Ability Haste, Smolder’s ultimate could come off cooldown in about a minute. This is a huge shift, enabling him to use his game-changing ability far more often.

Given Smolder’s underwhelming late-game presence prior to these changes, having a shorter cooldown on his ultimate opens the door for more aggressive plays, extended sieges, and repeated skirmish opportunities.

What Does This Mean for Builds and Playstyle?

The ability changes suggest that aggressive AD builds will become more viable. Maximizing damage to capitalize on the improved AD ratios in both W and E could be key to boosting Smolder’s lagging win rate. The ultimate’s reduced cooldown also encourages a more explosive teamfight approach—no longer does Smolder have to wait ages for a single big burst.

Another angle to consider is how summoner spells or itemization might change with these buffs. For instance, items offering Ability Haste could synergize perfectly with the newly lowered ultimate cooldown. Additionally, an earlier power spike in W damage might allow Smolder to survive or dominate lanes that previously countered him.

Potential Impact on the Meta

Whether these buffs will elevate Smolder from the bottom of the ADC leaderboard to a top-tier pick remains to be seen. Riot has a history of champion updates leading to dramatic spikes or dips in power. For players who enjoy a strong mid-to-late game presence, these changes might finally make Smolder worth mastering.

Ultimately, the champion’s success will hinge on how players adapt to the reworked abilities. A more frequent ultimate usage pattern combined with stronger poke and waveclear could make him a formidable force. However, his utility and mobility remain limited compared to other ADCs, so proper team coordination and positioning will still be essential.

Sources:

Remus: YouTube Video

Frequently Asked Questions

How are Smolder’s early-game buffs expected to impact his lane phase?

With higher base damage on W at early ranks, Smolder should be able to farm and harass enemies more effectively right from Level 1.

Will the new ultimate cooldown make Smolder overpowered?

Smolder’s ultimate cooldown now decreases to 100 seconds at max rank. With enough Ability Haste, it can go as low as about 60 seconds, but Riot balanced this by reducing some late-game damage output in other areas.

What is the biggest change to Smolder’s E ability?

Its base damage jumped from 525 to 1030, and its AD scaling increased from 25% to 30%, making aggressive AD builds far more rewarding.

Do these buffs mean Smolder is now viable in high-level play?

It’s too early to say definitively. While these changes address some of Smolder’s weaknesses, his overall competitiveness will depend on how players adapt and whether the meta favors his kit.