Kalista vs Smolder ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Kalista

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ADC

Smolder

Kalista vs Smolder

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Kalista wins extended trades by stacking (E) through minions and punishing Smolder's low-range farm path.
Smolder prefers stable waves to stack (Q) safely; deny this by forcing long trades and controlling wave state.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto-attack Smolder during his last-hit animations only if enemy support cannot immediately punish.
Use (Q) to transfer (E) stacks through low-health minions to increase poke and pressure.
Avoid trades when Smolder’s (E) is available, as it grants him escape and repositioning against your engage.

Danger windows

Avoid trading when Smolder’s (E) is up, as he can reposition or escape your engage.
Respect Smolder’s (R) ultimate during low-health fights; it can heal him and swing trades.
Be cautious stepping into brush or enemy support zones where Smolder’s poke and follow-up can punish you.

Early game

Use the first three waves to punish Smolder’s last-hit attempts inside your auto range when support threat is low.
Prioritize level 2 all-in windows with your support to prevent Smolder from safely stacking (Q).
Thin waves early to reduce Smolder’s poke angles and limit his safe (Q) stacking opportunities.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) lets you force or save all-ins, turning support position into engage; coordinate with support for kills.
First completed attack-speed item increases (E) stack speed, making extended fights and dragon control more threatening.
Exploit Smolder’s weaker early game before his (Q) stack thresholds to deny scaling and force recalls.

Win conditions

Convert (E) stack pressure and support (R) all-ins into early CS leads and turret plate damage.
Use lane priority to set up dragon control and force Smolder off the wave before his (Q) thresholds.
Snowball early kills into item spikes to outpace Smolder’s scaling and dominate teamfight DPS windows.