Patch 14.7 League of Legends, which was implemented on April 3, brought forth a wave of adjustments to numerous champions, among them being Smolder, the game’s newest AD carry. Despite receiving slight buffs, the champion has yet to reclaim his former dominance on the battlefield.
Smolder’s win rate plummeted despite buffs in LoL Patch 14.7
In the latest patch, developers opted to buff Smolder by increasing his basic armor from 24 to 26. Additionally, they augmented his potential damage output by boosting the bonus physical damage based on critical chance on his Q ability from a range of zero-to-30 percent to zero-to-50 percent.
While such incremental modifications have historically propelled certain champions back to the competitive ladder, his resurgence seems slow at this time.
Presently, Smolder sits at a low 48.51 percent win rate across all ranks in the ADC role, according to data from U.GG. This lackluster performance places him a mere 19th among the top marksmen in Patch 14.7, at least in terms of win rate. Nevertheless, he maintains respectable pick and ban rates, standing at 9.1 percent and 14 percent, respectively.
Though these statistics may not inspire awe, they represent a marked improvement over Smolder’s dismal showing in Patch 14.6, where he held the unenviable title of being the worst ADC in League. In the preceding update, his win rate floundered at 47.50 percent, trailing behind his counterparts in the role.
Smolder’s plight mirrors a common narrative for introduced League champions. Often, upon their debut, these champions emerge as formidable contenders, only to undergo successive rounds of nerfs that relegate them to the sidelines.
Upon his release in Patch 14.2, Smolder swiftly ascended to the ranks of the strongest ADCs, becoming a popular choice among both casual and professional players. Yet, it remains uncertain whether the adjustments in Patch 14.7 will exert any immediate influence on his presence in the professional scene worldwide.