Patch 14.5 has seen the rise of Smolder, the fiery new marksman, as a dominant force in the bot lane. However, there’s another, often overlooked champion who boasts an even higher win rate than Smolder: Kog’Maw, the Mouth of the Abyss. With a win rate exceeding 54%, Kog’Maw quietly establishes himself as the supreme marksman of the current meta.
What Makes Kog’Maw So Powerful?
Several factors contribute to Kog’Maw’s surprising dominance:
- Patch 14.5 Buffs: The recent patch brought significant buffs to almost all of Kog’Maw’s abilities (excluding his stable W). These subtle enhancements have massively elevated his effectiveness within ranked games.
- Hyper-Carry Potential: Kog’Maw’s kit is innately designed for late-game scaling. With sustained damage output and percent-health shredding, he excels at melting through even the tankiest front lines.
- Item Synergies: The new Navori Quickblades item has proven incredibly powerful on Kog’Maw. Its ability cooldown reduction amplifies his sustained damage even further. Additionally, his classic core build of Blade of the Ruined King and Guinsoo’s Rageblade continues to offer unparalleled synergy.
Kog’Maw vs. Smolder: A Detailed Comparison
While Smolder enjoys higher popularity and a substantial ban rate, Kog’Maw silently reigns supreme in terms of raw win rate. Here’s a breakdown of their strengths:
- Smolder: Offers strong early-to-mid game presence, zone control, and decent scaling.
- Kog’Maw: Excels in long-range poke, consistent damage output, and unmatched late-game tank-shredding capabilities.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your playstyle. Smolder rewards proactive aggression, while Kog’Maw favors patient positioning and scaling.
Building the Perfect Kog’Maw
Here’s a quick guide to maximizing Kog’Maw’s potential:
- Core Items:
- Blade of the Ruined King – On-hit damage and attack speed are essential.
- Guinsoo’s Rageblade – Maximizes Kog’Maw’s attack speed and on-hit effects.
- Navori Quickblades – Provides cooldown reduction for ability spam.
- Situational Choices:
- Wit’s End – Offers magic resistance and amplifies on-hit damage.
- Runaan’s Hurricane – Spreads on-hit effects for teamfight potential
- Immortal Shieldbow/Phantom Dancer – Defensive options for survivability
Tips for Playing Kog’Maw
- Positioning is Key: Stay behind your frontline and focus on consistent damage output.
- Prioritize Farm: Needs items to reach his full potential.
- Kite Effectively: Master attack-moving to maximize damage while staying safe.
The Future of Kog’Maw
With Smolder receiving imminent nerfs, Kog’Maw is poised to become an even more dominant pick in the bot lane. As more players recognize his hidden power, expect his pick and ban rates to rise.
In Conclusion
If you’re looking for a deceptively potent, hyper-carry marksman, look no further than Kog’Maw. Master his simple yet effective playstyle and reap the rewards of his monstrous late-game potential. Now is the perfect time to unleash the Mouth of the Abyss and carry your team to victory!
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