Tank Smolder Build

Tank Smolder Build.

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 14.23!

Updated: 2024-08-04 ()

TLDR

Starting items
Giant's Belt should be final item in your build.
Ruby Crystal should be final item in your build.
Quick Skill Order
Smolder ability Super Scorcher Breath should be leveled first.
Q
Smolder ability Achooo! should be leveled second.
W
Smolder ability Flap, Flap, Flap should be leveled third.
E
Final items
Mercury's Treads should be final item in your build.
Heartsteel should be final item in your build.
Kaenic Rookern should be final item in your build.
Overlord's Bloodmail should be final item in your build.
Titanic Hydra should be final item in your build.
Thornmail should be final item in your build.
Quick Runes
Major rune Grasp of the Undying from Resolve tree.
Minor rune Precision.
Summoner spells
Pick Ghost as your Summoner Spell.
Pick Flash as your Summoner Spell.

Tank Smolder Runes

Resolve
Resolve major tree Grasp of the Undying rune.
Resolve major tree Aftershock rune.
Resolve major tree Guardian rune.
Resolve major tree Demolish rune.
Resolve major tree Font of Life rune.
Resolve major tree Shield Bash rune.
Resolve major tree Conditioning rune.
Resolve major tree Second Wind rune.
Resolve major tree Bone Plating rune.
Resolve major tree Overgrowth rune.
Resolve major tree Revitalize rune.
Resolve major tree Unflinching rune.
Precision
Precision minor tree Absorb Life rune.
Precision minor tree Triumph rune.
Precision minor tree Presence of Mind rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Alacrity rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Haste rune.
Precision minor tree Legend: Bloodline rune.
Precision minor tree Coup de Grace rune.
Precision minor tree Cut Down rune.
Precision minor tree Last Stand rune.
Passive
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Attack Speed rune (+10% Attack Speed).
Passive tree Ability Haste rune (+8 Ability Haste).
Passive tree Adaptive Force rune (+9 Adaptive Force).
Passive tree Move Speed rune (+2 Movement Speed).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).
Passive tree Health rune (+65 Health).
Passive tree Tenacity And Slow Resist rune (+10 Tenacity and Slow Resist).
Passive tree Health Scaling rune (+10-180 Health (based on level)).

How to play

General
  1. You rush Heartsteel.
  2. After Heartsteel, you can rush Titanic Hydra (more fun, damage and some survi) AND/OR Sundered Sky or just go full tank - depending on if you are behind and if your team needs more damage.
  3. Sundered Sky is very good damage item for this build. 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!
  4. This is auto attack oriented Smolder build, so do it! Especially if running with Titanic Hydra and Sundered Sky as well.
  5. 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).
  6. Triumph is better (heal + gold), but if you want to have easier time with your mana, go Presence of the Mind.
  7. 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.
  8. Remember to consume your Heartsteel procs!
  9. Remember to consume your Grasp of the Undying procs!
Smolder Tank specific
  1. Your Super Scorcher Breath (Q) applies both On-hit and Spell Effects.
  2. With Super Scorcher Breath (Q) stacked, you will be applying On-Hit and Spell Effects in AOE!
  3. Your Super Scorcher Breath (Q) range is equal to auto attack range. Meaning items like Rapid Firecannon increases it.

Tips and Tricks

General
  1. Flap, Flap, Flap (E) is amazing ability in ARAM, it lets you reposition quickly, dodge skillshots or play aggressive. Do not waste it!
Riot
  1. Smolder has a vulnerable early game. Focus on passive stacking and staying alive to become a strong dragon later!
  2. Smolder relies on his team to keep him safe. Try to find allies who can help you against enemy threats.
  3. Smolder can do a lot of damage to areas of enemies. Look for attack opportunities where the enemies are close together.

Skill Order

  • Smolder [object Object] ability.
    Q
    Super Scorcher Breath
  • Smolder [object Object] ability.
    W
    Achooo!
  • Smolder [object Object] ability.
    E
    Flap, Flap, Flap
  • Smolder [object Object] ability.
    R
    MMOOOMMMM!

Items

Starting items
Giant's Belt item.
Ruby Crystal item.
Starting items vs poke
Guardian's Horn item.
Ruby Crystal item.
Boots
Mercury's Treads item.
Plated Steelcaps item.
Ionian Boots of Lucidity item.
Rush this
Heartsteel item.
Dmg items
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Blade of The Ruined King item.
Titanic Hydra item.
Runaan's Hurricane item.
Wit's End item.
Overlord's Bloodmail item.
Sundered Sky item.
Good tank items
Jak'Sho, The Protean item.
Warmog's Armor item.
Good MR items
Force of Nature item.
Kaenic Rookern item.
Spirit Visage item.
Good Armor items
Randuin's Omen item.
Thornmail item.
Iceborn Gauntlet item.
Dead Man's Plate item.
Frozen Heart item.
Situational items
Zeke's Convergence item.
Trailblazer item.
Knight's Vow item.
For the last fight
Additional considerations for these items is advised!
Elixir of Iron item.
Elixir of Wrath item.
Example final build
Mercury's Treads item.
Heartsteel item.
Kaenic Rookern item.
Overlord's Bloodmail item.
Titanic Hydra item.
Thornmail item.