The introduction of Smolder, League of Legends’ latest champion, marks an intriguing addition to the roster of champions within the game.
Despite only being available for a mere day, Smolder’s initial performance has been met with a mixed reception, notably evidenced by his low win rate, which currently sits at just above 41%, as reported by League statistic site U.GG.
Smolder struggles following his debut
The numbers paint a picture of struggle for Smolder in his fledgling hours on the live patch, positioning him at the bottom of the win rate ladder amongst his fellow champions. However, such a predicament is hardly an anomaly in the League of Legends. Newcomers to the game’s roster often grapple with low win rates during their first stages, grappling with unfamiliar kits, mechanics, and strategies.
Comparatively speaking, the 41.99% win rate, while not exemplary, appears to fare better than some of his predecessors. Looking back to releases from the previous year, champions like Hwei, Naafiri, and Briar encountered similar struggles, with win rates languishing in the 30s, highlighting the common issues faced by introduced champions.
One of the distinguishing features of Smolder lies in his classification as a spellcasting ADC, a role that deviates from the traditional marksmen found in the bot lane. This unique playstyle presents a learning curve for players accustomed to the mechanics of more conventional AD carries, necessitating a deeper understanding of the champion’s abilities and optimal itemization paths.
Despite being perceived as simpler compared to multi-spell wielders like Hwei, Smolder boasts a considerable skill ceiling, evident in his initial struggles on the ranked ladder. However, it’s anticipated that as players acclimate themselves to his intricacies and refine their strategies, his win rate is likely to experience an upward trend.
The trajectory of Smolder’s win rate is expected to evolve over time, irrespective of potential interventions from Riot Games in the form of balance adjustments or hotfixes.