MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Cho'Gath vs Smolder
What is Cho'Gath's win rate vs Smolder?
In Top, Cho'Gath wins 63% against Smolder across 126 observed ranked games.
Global ranked sample: games from every region and every rank pooled together, not one server's stats. Data runs through patch 26.12; curves updated 2026-08-07.
By 15 minutes the median game has Cho'Gath ahead by 567 gold.
Cho'Gath at 15:00
- Gold: +567
- CS: +1
- XP: +958
Typical gap to Smolder, from 124 games that reached 15:00.
Does Cho'Gath counter Smolder?
Yes. Cho'Gath wins 63% of 126 ranked Top games into Smolder. That is a real edge in this lane, so play for it. The 10:00 rows below show how often Cho'Gath closes the game out from a lead, and how often Smolder claws it back.
How to beat Smolder as Cho'Gath
When Cho'Gath is ahead in gold at 10:00, this matchup runs 65% over 77 games; behind, it drops to 59% over 49.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 65% | 77 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 59% | 49 |
| First blood | 70% | 73 |
| +kills at 10:00 | 70% | 69 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 63% | 59 |
| 0 deaths at 10:00 | 73% | 44 |
The median first death in this lane comes at 6:37; the level 6 spike lands around 5:27. Respect the all-in window until your spike is online.
What does Cho'Gath build in Top?
The most-finished Cho'Gath core is Hextech Rocketbelt, Riftmaker, Dead Man's Plate: 59.5% across 1,263 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Doran's Ring + Health Potion + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Heartsteel (8,795 games).
Skill plan: Cho'Gath players max E first and take E at level 1.