Varus vs Smolder ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Varus

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ADC

Smolder

Varus vs Smolder

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

Varus wins short trades by landing charged (Q) poke before Smolder can stack safely.
Hold wave control to force Smolder into predictable CS paths for (E) slow and (Q) burst.
Smolder scales better with (Q) stacks, so deny free stacks to maintain lane pressure.

Trading pattern

Step forward to auto or (W) proc blight stacks when Smolder commits to last-hit animations on cannon or caster minions.
Only punish last hits if enemy support cannot immediately counter-engage or zone you.
Use (E) slow to lock Smolder when he walks predictably for CS, then detonate blight stacks with (Q) or autos.

Danger windows

Smolder’s (E) dash is dangerous when available; avoid charging (Q) or extended trades while it’s up.
Enemy support controlling brush or engage zone blocks last-hit punish windows; give up autos to avoid counter trades.
After (R) is down, Varus is vulnerable to hard engage; avoid overextending without (R) or support peel.

Early game

Use first three waves to thin the wave and create space for charged (Q) without engage risk.
Punish Smolder’s last hits when he steps up for caster minions if enemy support is out of zone.
Avoid charging (Q) near enemy engage range or when support cooldowns are down.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) adds pick threat and peel; hold (R) to punish Smolder’s dash or forced engages.
First completed damage item increases poke and on-hit damage, letting you pressure waves before dragon.
Use item spike to crash waves and force Smolder into vulnerable CS paths before he reaches (Q) thresholds.

Win conditions

Convert poke damage and last-hit punish into health leads and crash waves for turret plates.
Use (R) pick threat with support follow-up to force Smolder off the wave and secure dragon vision.
Maintain lane priority through poke to deny Smolder safe (Q) stacking and delay his scaling spikes.