Ziggs vs Smolder ADC Matchup Guide | LaneStomp

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Ziggs

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ADC

Smolder

Ziggs vs Smolder

Confidence mediumUpdated Jun 7, 2026

Overview

This lane turns on Ziggs's ability to punish Smolder's last-hit paths with (Q) and (E) poke.
Ziggs wins short trades by poking from range and controls wave priority through fast waveclear.
Smolder scales better with (Q) stacks, so deny him free stacks by crashing waves and forcing recalls.

Trading pattern

Step forward to hit Smolder during last-hit animations if enemy support is out of position.
Use (E) to zone Smolder off safe CS paths and punish when he walks through minefield.
Avoid trading if (W) is down or (E) is available to dash in for counter-engage.

Danger windows

(E) flight plus (W) poke create dangerous engage windows; avoid stepping up when (E) is ready.
Avoid punishing last hits if enemy support controls brush or threat zone, as Smolder can follow up trades.
Ziggs is vulnerable when (W) is down; respect Smolder's all-in threat during this cooldown.

Early game

Use the first three waves to thin minions quickly and force Smolder into awkward last-hit positions.
Punish Smolder's caster minion last hits with (Q) when enemy support can't immediately trade back.
Hold (W) for disengage or turret execute only when Smolder or support threaten engage.

Power spikes

Level 6 (R) allows Ziggs to threaten cross-lane burst and objective fights; use it to force Smolder back.
First completed mage poke item reduces risk in trades and strengthens (W) cooldown for turret pressure.
After item spike, pressure waves more confidently but track (E) for escape or engage.

Win conditions

Convert lane pressure into turret plates by crashing waves and using (W) turret execute.
Deny (Q) stacks by forcing him off the wave with poke and waveclear.
Use lane priority to set up dragon vision and teamfight poke, leveraging Ziggs's long-range damage.