Tank Smolder build with runes and items. Tank Smolder guide offers in-depth how-to play, skill order and tips. Play Tank Smolder build in League of Legends Patch 25.S1.2!
You build items that scale and/or benefit from HP stacking.
And you build Armor and MR tanky items, depending on the situation and adapting to the enemy team.
How to play
General
You rush Heartsteel.
Item Order
Item Order after Heartsteel is flexible. You need to see what you need in particular game:
Get Overlord's Bloodmail for more damage and AD.
Get Warmog's Armor as anti-poke item (helps you stay in lane) and for some sweet HP.
Get Unending Despair, if there are prolonged fights in which you can stay near enemies (or enemies near you). The items gets better, the more HP you get.
Get various Armor and/or MR items to counter enemy team.
Get Titanic Hydra for more fun , more damage and some survivability.
Items
Sundered Sky is very good damage item for this build (as #2-#4 depending on the game). It scales off your HP (so Grasp, Heartsteel, Overgrowth). It gives damage and pretty good sustain in fights. Remember to switch targets to maximize the effect!
Guardian's Horn is a surprisingly good item for its price. You can keep it for a very long time (or even have it as 6th item).
Runes
Second Wind scales off with your HP, so it is going to be powerful sustain rune. You can use it by purposefully triggering it by letting enemies poke you a little or walking over some harmful spells.
Triumph is better (heal + gold), but if you want to have easier time with your mana, go Presence of the Mind.
During game
Your main damage and power comes from auto attacks - Grasp of the Undying, Heartsteel
This is auto attack oriented Smolder build, so do it! Especially if running with Titanic Hydra and Sundered Sky as well.
You can prioritize switching between champions in the fight, just to farm more Heartsteel procs.
You need to adapt your items to the game. Enemy team heavy on AP? Buy MR. They heavy on AD? Buy Armor. You need some damage? Well buy that.
Remember to consume your Heartsteel procs!
Remember to consume your Grasp of the Undying procs!
Champion
Your Super Scorcher Breath (Q) applies both On-hit and Spell Effects.
With Super Scorcher Breath (Q) stacked, you will be applying On-Hit and Spell Effects in AOE!
Your Super Scorcher Breath (Q) range is equal to auto attack range. Meaning items like Rapid Firecannon increases it.
Tips and Tricks
Champion
Focus on getting Super Scorcher Breath (Q) stacks early on. Last hit minions (you can even ask your teammates) and use Super Scorcher Breath (Q) and Achooo! (W) on enemy champions to get stacks!
Flap, Flap, Flap (E) is amazing ability in ARAM, it lets you reposition quickly, dodge skillshots or play aggressive. Do not waste it!
Riot
Smolder has a vulnerable early game. Focus on passive stacking and staying alive to become a strong dragon later!
Smolder relies on his team to keep him safe. Try to find allies who can help you against enemy threats.
Smolder can do a lot of damage to areas of enemies. Look for attack opportunities where the enemies are close together.