Smolder just got a glow-up. Riot’s League of Legends (Patch 25.10) gave this tiny dragon some real firepower, making him a much more viable scaling carry in the bot lane. Whether you’re a fan of his long-range poke or just want to outscale the enemy ADC, this post covers the best builds, runes, and lane tips to bring the heat.
Let’s break down the buffs, top builds, and community-tested setups to get the most out of Smolder right now.
What Changed in Patch 25.10?
Buff Summary (per Riot's official patch notes):
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Q – Super Scorcher Breath
Damage per stack increased from 0.3 to 0.4
Burn damage (per 100 stacks) increased from 0.4% to 0.5% -
E – Flap 'n' Burn
Base damage scaling increased from 0.1 to 0.12 per stack
Why it matters:
These buffs give Smolder stronger scaling into mid/late game, especially if you focus on stacking early while staying safe. He’s still not the best early-game ADC, but now his power spikes are more rewarding—and lethal.
Best Runes for Smolder in Patch 25.10
Primary: Precision
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Fleet Footwork – Sustain in lane and kite potential
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Presence of Mind – Keeps mana up during extended trades
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Legend: Bloodline – Life steal for survivability
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Cut Down – Scales well against tanks and juggernauts
Secondary: Sorcery
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Celerity – Bonus move speed enhances kiting
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Gathering Storm – Perfect synergy with Smolder’s scaling kit
Stat shards:
Attack Speed | Adaptive Force | Health
Smolder’s Best Build (Core & Situational Items)
Core Items:
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Essence Reaver – Great for poke and mana sustain
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Spear of Shojin – Gives cooldown reduction for frequent Q/E
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Infinity Edge – Scales hard once you reach crit threshold
Boots:
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Berserker’s Greaves for attack speed
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Or Ionian Boots of Lucidity if you’re leaning into ability usage
Situational Items:
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Lord Dominik’s Regards – Shreds tanks
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Guardian Angel – Helps secure late-game impact
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Phantom Dancer – Bonus lifeline and mobility.
Lane Strategy: Early to Late Game
Early Game:
Play safe, focus on stacking your passive. Avoid unnecessary trades unless your support sets it up. Use Q to poke when safe.
Mid Game:
Once you hit item 2 (Shojin or IE), your damage spikes. Look for teamfight opportunities and rotate to secure dragons.
Late Game:
You’re now the win condition. Stay backline, poke with empowered Q, and use E for safe repositioning or follow-up damage.
Pre- vs Post-Patch Stats
(Source: Metasrc Smolder Page)
| Stat | Pre-Patch 25.10 | Post-Patch 25.10 |
|---|---|---|
| Win Rate | ~49.2% | ~51.0% |
| Pick Rate | Low | Rising steadily |
| Average Damage | 14.3k | 15.8k |
Smolder’s win rate broke the 50% mark in solo queue post-patch—clear evidence the buffs are paying off.
What the Community Is Saying
Reddit Insight:
“Essence Reaver and Shojin is where it’s at. You get ability uptime and feel way more slippery.”
— u/CrimsonFeathers on r/SmolderMains
Tier List Videos:
Final Thoughts: Should You Pick Smolder?
Absolutely. With his buffs in Patch 25.10, Smolder is no longer a meme pick or high-risk carry. His late-game scaling is stronger, his laning is more forgiving with Fleet Footwork, and his burst potential now matches (or beats) other ADCs.
If you’re tired of Kai’Sa and Ezreal mirrors—Smolder might be your next go-to pick.
More Patch 25.10 Posts You’ll Like:
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