Smolder vs Xayah ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Smolder

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ADC

Xayah

Smolder vs Xayah

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on safe (Q) stacking against Xayah's feather setup and root threat.
Smolder wins extended trades post-(Q) thresholds; Xayah wins short trades with (E) root.
Hold wave near your side to punish Xayah's last hits through feather lines.

Trading pattern

Punish Xayah's last-hit animations near minions with (W) poke when support can't zone.
Avoid stepping forward if enemy support controls brush or engage zone despite last-hit windows.
Save (E) to reposition or escape after Xayah commits feathers for (E) root; don't force early trades without it.

Danger windows

Avoid trading when (R) is available to dodge your engage or burst.
Respect enemy support presence when (E) root can chain into follow-up damage.
Beware stepping into feather lines without (E) ready, as it enables Xayah's root and extended trades.

Early game

Use first three waves to stack (Q) safely, avoiding early (E) root engage.
Punish Xayah stepping up for caster minion last hits only if enemy support can't punish.
Keep wave thinned to limit Xayah's feather placement and reduce her (E) root threat.

Power spikes

At (Q) stack thresholds, increase poke and execute pressure; prioritize safe farming to reach them.
Level 6 (R) allows healing and burst trades; use (R) to punish Xayah's all-in or protect stacks.
Post-(Q) thresholds and item spikes, Smolder can pressure Xayah through safer poke and wave control.

Win conditions

Convert safe (Q) stacks into lane priority to force Xayah under turret and deny plates.
Use (R) healing and poke to win low-health skirmishes and secure dragon control.
Scale into late game where poke and execute pressure outmatch Xayah's front-to-back DPS.