Smolder, the upcoming champion in League of Legends, has been meticulously developed by Riot Games to cater to a broad player base, emphasizing accessibility for most players.
With dragons taking center stage in 2024, Riot is capitalizing on this trend by introducing a new one into Summoner’s Rift, offering a unique addition to the roster.
In a recent champion insights blog post, the development team provided a detailed look into the creative process behind Smolder, shedding light on how this dragon champion distinguishes itself from other creatures in the game.
While Smolder’s creation was directly influenced by the Year of the Dragon theme, the team drew inspiration from existing champions and lore to shape the character into a fitting addition to the League universe.
A central design philosophy behind Smolder was to introduce an ADC to the bot lane lineup that is more accessible to players. Riot KingCobra, the producer, specifically highlighted champions like Zeri and Aphelios, known for their complex and non-traditional marksman kits.
This decision not only simplifies gameplay for players but also allowed the team to infuse a “cute” thematic element into Smolder’s character, collaborating with the Legends of Runeterra team to ensure his background as a dragon from Camavor aligns with existing lore in that game.
To set him apart from other playable dragon champions, the development team focused on making him unique. Game designers Riot Llama and Riot TwinErso emphasized that Smolder starts in a relatively weak form and gradually becomes more powerful as the game progresses.
Interestingly, Riot TwinErso revealed that Smolder’s ability to fly and breathe fire was initially planned for pre-rework Aurelion Sol and even Shyvana. This insight into the developmental history adds a layer of complexity to his character, showcasing the evolution of ideas within the game design process.
Upon the initial teaser release, the League community expressed some confusion about Smolder’s design. Responding to this feedback, Riot has confirmed that the champion’s face will undergo design adjustments, offering players a glimpse of the “before and after” changes currently in progress.
As the adjustments are finalized, players can anticipate controlling the evolving fire of Smolder, who is expected to officially join the League’s roster of champions in the coming weeks.