MacroMind matchup data: real ranked games, not opinions
Smolder vs Cho'Gath
How often does Smolder beat Cho'Gath in Top?
Smolder into Cho'Gath in Top: 37% observed win rate across 126 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 Smolder behind by 566 gold.
Smolder at 15:00
- Gold: -566
- CS: -1
- XP: -958
Typical gap to Cho'Gath, from 124 games that reached 15:00.
Does Smolder counter Cho'Gath?
The count says no. Cho'Gath holds 63% of 126 ranked Top games here. The lane is still winnable. Smolder wins it back from the spots below, so learn which ones swing it before you lock in Smolder against Cho'Gath, and play for those first.
Beating Cho'Gath: the Smolder game plan
A gold lead at 10:00 puts Smolder at 41% across 49 games. Flip the lead and Smolder falls to 35% across 77.
| The spot | Win rate | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Ahead in gold at 10:00 | 41% | 49 |
| Behind in gold at 10:00 | 35% | 77 |
| First blood | 52% | 42 |
| +CS at 10:00 | 39% | 62 |
Someone usually dies here around 5:47 in the median game, and level 6 lands near 5:35. Until your spike is online, respect the all-in.
Smolder's Top build, with receipts
Into Cho'Gath specifically, Smolder finishes Essence Reaver first most often: 37.5% over 40 games of this matchup.
The most-finished Smolder core is Essence Reaver, Spear of Shojin, Rapid Firecannon: 54.9% across 357 games when all three got done. All matchups, patches 26.1-26.12.
Most games start Doran's Blade + Health Potion; the first finished item is usually Essence Reaver (2,629 games).
Skill plan: Smolder players max Q first and take Q at level 1.