Smolder & Brand vs Caitlyn & Elise

Smolder
You
Brand
VS
Caitlyn
Elise

Tap any portrait to switch perspective

Who Wins

  • Pre-6 you lose trades due to Caitlyn's range advantage and lack of meaningful damage output early.
  • Post-6 the matchup remains difficult as your R doesn't provide enough immediate impact to overcome their superior 2v2 coordination.
Confused by a term? Check the Glossary

Synergy & Trading

  • Focus on Q stacking safely while Brand zones with W threat, only committing to extended trades when Brand lands Q stun.
  • Your E slow can help Brand land skillshots, but prioritize farm and scaling over aggressive plays.

Wave Control/Roaming

  • Accept being pushed in early and focus on farming under tower where Brand's presence deters dives.
  • Look for slow pushes when Brand has mana to clear, allowing you to stack Q on multiple minions efficiently.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't greed for Q stacks in Caitlyn's auto range without Brand's protection.
  • Getting chunked early severely limits your ability to participate in any potential all-ins where your team might have kill pressure.
Created on 02/21/2026
🛠️ Something wrong?