The arrival of Smolder onto the Summoner’s Rift marks a significant milestone in League of Legends history, with Riot Games developers acknowledging it as one of the game’s most anticipated champion releases to date.
Despite initial optimism surrounding Smolder’s debut and an apparent surge in win rates following its first day in the game, indications suggest that adjustments may be imminent for the champion.
Smolder to receive adjustments following his debut
In a recent Twitter, League’s lead gameplay designer, Matt “Phroxzon” Leung-Harrison, shared insights and reflections on Smolder’s introduction. Notably, Leung-Harrison initiated a poll to gauge community sentiment regarding Smolder’s power level, garnering an impressive 27,000 responses.
The results revealed a divergence of opinions, with 35% of participants deeming the baby dragon “balanced,” while votes were evenly split between those considering it “weak” or “strong.”
Acknowledging Smolder’s modest win, Leung-Harrison highlighted the champion’s remarkable popularity, boasting a staggering 28% pick rate in regular gameplay. Despite initial struggles, Smolder showcased an unprecedented leap in win rate from its first to second day of release, particularly evident in Masters+ play, underscoring players’ rapid adaptation and mastery of the champion.
However, amidst the fervor surrounding Smolder’s ascent, the League development team is already contemplating potential adjustments to fine-tune the champion’s gameplay experience.
While Leung-Harrison remained non-committal regarding specific changes, discussions have revolved around revisiting aspects of Smolder’s spell kit, particularly his ultimate ability, “MMOOOMMMM!”
Consideration is also being given to optimizing Smolder’s role distribution between the mid and bot lanes, with a focus on reinforcing its intended position as a marksman ADC.
Furthermore, attention is directed towards enhancing Smolder’s abilities, including the potential for its Q ability, “Super Scorcher Breath,” to provide stacks of Dragon Practice upon the projectile’s successful execution.
Similarly, the cooldown dynamics of Smolder’s E ability, “Flap, Flap, Flap,” during mid-game scenarios are under scrutiny, with speculations emerging about potential reductions in cooldown duration at later levels.
As the week unfolds, the League community eagerly awaits insights into the development team’s plans and strategies for Smolder’s refinement.
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