League of Legends' New AD-Carry: Smolder the Young Dragon
League of Legends is about to burn! Summoners, get ready to welcome a new mythical beast to the Summoner's Rift: Smolder, the small but brave dragon champion. Riot Games has been teasing players with hints about upcoming champions, and Smolder has emerged from the shadows, offering a first look at his fiery personality. While no official release date has been revealed, the recent teasers show that Smolder has more than a cinder of energy, and we can expect him to boost League of Legends’ ranks early in 2024.
A Drake and an AD-Carry
Smolder makes an unforgettable entrance in the latest reveal shared by Riot Games on League of Legends social media. Described as a small dragon burning with enthusiasm and a literal smile on his face, Smolder's energetic personality is contagious as he recalls the tales of dragons from Runeterra’s long-gone past. The teaser captures the essence of a young child excitedly sharing stories, creating a charming playground of imagination.
Smolder's physical appearance aligns seamlessly with his lively character, resembling a young dragon. The teaser portrays him telling stories until he gets a little bit too excited and his mom, who might be anyone from the Infernal to the Elder Drake, interrupts, emphasizing his youth. A distinctive feature is his fiery sneeze, which accidentally sets the scenery on fire, contributing to the visual spectacle and highlighting his dragon lineage as well as his inexperience. |
In a way, Smolder seems like the “Simba” that League of Legends never had.
Earlier in 2023, Riot Games had dropped a few hints, teasing the arrival of "an adorable creature marksman who's slowly hatching." Looking back, this aligns perfectly with Smolder's imminent debut, hinting at his role as a bottom-lane carry.
Additional Champion Roadmap details in October 2023 are boosting the excitement even more, using terms like "smoldering" and "smol" to describe Smolder. Teasers shared during this period hinted at the dragon's growth and development, emphasizing his confident demeanor as he walks with the regal swagger, as any heir of royalty would.
The teasers also carry intriguing lore implications, referring to Smolder as an "heir of royalty." References to "something lurking" may point to the presence of his watchful parent, creating an engaging narrative that players can look forward to exploring further. Part of the community thinks these teasers might be connecting him to the re-worked Infernal drake, launching with the “Year of the Dragon” and aligning the “lurking” with the new Void creatures joining the Rift. |
While the teasers provide a delightful sneak peek into Smolder's character, we’ll have to wait for the full reveal. Riot Games is expected to explore Smolder's abilities, background story, and additional gameplay details in the upcoming dev blog, which will be released just before Season 14 begins.
As Smolder prepares to spread his wings and take flight, players can look forward to a champion that brings both a new visual and unique gameplay dynamics to League of Legends’ bot-lane. Stay tuned for the full breakdown, and get ready to embark on a journey through the skies with Smolder, the dragon champion!
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