Smolder vs Aphelios ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Smolder

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ADC

Aphelios

Smolder vs Aphelios

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on denying Aphelios free farm while safely stacking (Q) for scaling poke and execute.
Smolder wins extended trades and scaling, but must avoid early all-ins before (Q) thresholds and (E) escape are ready.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto or (W) poke when Aphelios walks up for last hits if enemy support is out of zone.
Avoid punishing last hits if enemy support controls brush or threat zone to prevent losing HP.
Prioritize safe (Q) stacking over forced trades; use (E) only to escape after enemy engage is spent.

Danger windows

Respect Aphelios's Gravitum root combined with support follow-up for engage and crowd control.
Avoid stepping up when Aphelios has Calibrum or Infernum active, as his poke range and splash punish CS attempts.
Do not trade or extend fights when (E) is down, as Smolder loses escape and becomes vulnerable to engage.

Early game

Use the first three waves to stack (Q) on safe last hits, avoiding trades that cost health or stacks.
Punish Aphelios stepping up for caster minion last hits with (W) splash if his support cannot trade back.
Hold wave near your side to reduce Aphelios's no-dash vulnerability and limit his poke angles.

Power spikes

At (Q) stack thresholds, Smolder's poke and execute improve, enabling safer trades and lane pressure.
Level 6 (R) grants healing and damage swing, making low-health all-ins or dives risky for Aphelios.
Aphelios's strong weapon pairs create temporary poke or all-in windows; avoid fighting him during these.

Win conditions

Convert safe (Q) stacking into CS leads and poke pressure to force Aphelios off the wave or under tower.
Use (R) to swing health totals in dragon fights or dives, punishing Aphelios's low-health windows.
Crash waves to deny plates and secure bot priority, enabling better dragon vision and teamfight positioning.