What’s Smolder’s mini-rework in League Patch 14.23?

Smolder is set to undergo a mini-rework in the upcoming patch.

The highly anticipated League of Legends Patch 14.23 has arrived, and it’s shaping up to be one of the largest updates in recent memory. Compared to the previous patch, this one introduces a much broader range of changes.

This patch features mini-reworks for a total of three champions: Aurora, Smolder, and Rell. While all three adjustments are noteworthy, this article will focus primarily on the changes made to Smolder.

Recently, Riot identified two key aspects of Smolder’s design as problematic: his wave-clear capabilities and his stack-scaling mechanics. These features made him particularly effective in professional play, where coordination and strategy maximize his strengths.

However, these same traits created a significant imbalance, as they made him far less appealing and viable for solo queue players. In response to these concerns, Riot has decided to give Smolder a mini-rework aimed at addressing these issues. The goal is to reduce his dominance in professional play while improving his viability for everyday players.

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League of Legends Patch 14.23 Smolder mini-rework

Passive – Dragon Practice

• Super Scorcher Breath Dragon Practice stack ratio reduced to 30% − 52.5% (based on critical strike chance) from 40% − 70% (based on critical strike chance).
• Flap, Flap, Flap Dragon Practice stack ratio reduced to 10% from 20%.

Q – Super Scorcher Breath

• New Effect: Now refunds 15 mana if this ability kills at least one target.
• Base damage increased to 65 / 80 / 95 / 110 / 125 from 15 / 25 / 35 / 45 / 55.
• AD ratio changed to 130% bonus AD from 100% total AD.
• Removed: Damage to non-champions reduced to 100% from 110%.
• Tier 2 base missiles increased to 2 from 1.
• Tier 2 bonus missiles per 100  Dragon Practice stacks were reduced to 0.8 from 1.5.
• Tier 2 missile explosion damage was reduced to 50% from 75%.
• Explosion base damage changed to 32.5 / 40 / 47.5 / 55 / 62.5 from 11.25 / 18.75 / 26.25 / 33.75 / 41.25.
• The explosion AD ratio changed to 65% bonus AD from 75% total AD.
• Tier 3 burn AD ratio increased to 2.5% per 100 bonus AD from 2% per 100 bonus AD.
• Removed: Tier 3 burn no longer scales with 1% per 100 AP.
• Tier 3 burn  Dragon Practice stack ratio reduced to 0.4% per 100  Dragon Practice stacks from 0.8% per 100  Dragon Practice stacks.

W – Achooo!

• Mana cost changed to 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 from 60 at all ranks.
• Glob base damage reduced to 30 / 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 from 45 / 75 / 105 / 135 / 165.
• Glob bonus AD ratio increased to 60% bonus AD from 25%.
• Removed: Glob damage no longer scales with 20% AP.
• Explosion base damage increased to 30 / 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 from 25 / 40 / 55 / 70 / 85.
• Explosion bonus AD ratio increased to 60% bonus AD from 25%.
• Non-champion damage was reduced to 100% from 140%.

E – Flap, Flap, Flap

• Base damage per bolt reduced to 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 from 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / 35.
• AD ratio per bolt increased to 25% AD from 10% AD.
• The number of bolts per 100  Dragon Practice stacks increased to 1 from 0.75.

R – MMOOOMMMM!

• Cooldown reduced to 120 seconds at all ranks from 140 / 130 / 120.
• New Effect: Now deals 50% damage against non-champions

The Smolder mini-rework is already live as part of Patch 14.23, which was officially released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Players can now experience the updated version of Smolder and see how these changes affect his gameplay.