Jhin vs Smolder ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Jhin

VS

ADC

Smolder

Jhin vs Smolder

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on punishing Smolder's last-hit attempts with Jhin's fourth shot and (Q) bounce through low-health minions.
Jhin wins short burst trades and lane pressure by leveraging support-root setups and controlled wave states.
Smolder scales better with poke and execute but struggles if denied safe (Q) stacks early.

Trading pattern

Punish Smolder stepping up for CS only if enemy support cannot immediately trade or zone.
Use (Q) bounce damage on low-health minions near Smolder to maximize poke and pressure.
Hold (W) root until Smolder is marked by support CC, trap damage, or poke to ensure reliable follow-up.

Danger windows

(E) flight cooldown up increases his escape and engage threat; avoid extended trades then.
(W) poke is dangerous when enemies group near the wave; avoid clustered positioning.
Support engage or zoning in brush or river can punish Jhin's reload windows; avoid stepping forward without vision.

Early game

Use the first three waves to keep the wave thin and punish Smolder's CS with fourth shot on cannon or melee minions.
Track (E) cooldown to reduce his escape options and increase punish windows.
Position to avoid grouped minions that enable (W) poke splash while holding (W) for marked targets.

Power spikes

Fourth shot ready creates a strong last-hit punish window; hold it for cannon/melee CS attempts.
Level 6 (R) adds long-range execute and objective zoning; use after support CC or trap zones force predictable movement.
First completed damage item strengthens fourth-shot trades, forcing Smolder to avoid one-for-one auto trades.

Win conditions

Convert fourth-shot lane pressure and (Q) bounce poke into health leads that force Smolder recalls.
Use trap zones and (R) to control dragon entrances and punish Smolder's predictable retreat paths.
Leverage lane health leads to crash waves for turret plates and secure dragon vision before mid-game fights.