Xayah vs Smolder ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Xayah

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ADC

Smolder

Xayah vs Smolder

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Xayah wins short trades by punishing Smolder walking through feather lines for CS.
Smolder scales harder with (Q) stacks, so deny him safe last hits and force early fights.
Control wave to create feather setups that block Smolder's predictable CS paths and poke angles.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto or (Q) Smolder when he commits to last hits inside feather lines if support threat is low.
Drop last-hit punish if enemy support controls brush or can immediately trade back.
Use (E) to root Smolder when he chases through feathers, especially after (R) is available to deny counter-engage.

Danger windows

Respect (E) dash availability, which can reposition him to avoid feather roots or engage unexpectedly.
Avoid stepping up when (W) poke is ready and enemy support can follow up immediately.
Be cautious when (R) is down, as Xayah loses untargetability and counter-engage denial.

Early game

Use first three waves to thin minions and place feathers behind Smolder's last-hit path.
Punish Smolder's last-hit attempts on caster minions if enemy support can't immediately counter.
Avoid extended trades before level 6 to prevent losing feather root threat and (R) safety.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) lets Xayah deny Smolder's all-in and punish chase with feather roots; hold (R) for real engages.
First completed marksman item improves sustained DPS and feather threat, enabling longer front-to-back fights.
Two-item spike solidifies DPS, making it risky for Smolder to walk through feather lines for CS or trades.

Win conditions

Convert feather-root punishes into health leads that force Smolder recalls or missed CS.
Crash waves after punishing Smolder's CS to secure turret plates and dragon vision control.
Use scaling DPS and self-peel in teamfights to outlast Smolder's poke and execute pressure.