Mastering Smite 2: Essential Tips for Roles, Builds, and More
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By
Billy Givens
on
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Smite 2 Strategies and Suggestions
Smite 2 is a sequel, yet it retains much of what made the original Smite such a beloved MOBA, choosing evolution over complete transformation of the gameplay experience. The transition to Unreal Engine 5 has provided developer Titan Forge with numerous opportunities to refine what already works well in the franchise, ensuring that both new and returning players have plenty to learn. For those who fall into the veteran category—or if you’re coming back after a break from the original game and are looking to refresh your knowledge—here are several Smite 2 tips that can assist you.
Roles are more adaptable this time around
In the original Smite, you could play any god in any role, but the game had clearly defined classes that often limited your potential for success in doing so. Smite 2 abandons classes in favor of a flexible role system, providing you with a general understanding of which gods function particularly well in specific lanes or positions.
This means many gods are categorized as excelling in multiple roles, giving you opportunities to experiment with unique builds and playstyles. Naturally, some gods may not perform as effectively in certain roles, but overall, you’ll find there’s significantly more freedom to explore.
Builds are equally flexible
Similar to roles, builds are much less rigid in Smite 2. Unlike the first game, which offered different classes with various item choices, Smite 2 allows any god to utilize any item. This is because many gods have abilities that scale with both primary stats, Power and Intelligence, giving you the ability to tailor your build to best complement your abilities.
Perhaps you want to increase your Intelligence to boost a healing ability, or maybe you prefer a Power-scaling damage ability to inflict even more damage—build your character however you like. That being said, there are still specific items that may not be particularly useful for certain gods, so it’s always wise to learn what will synergize well with your god’s kit.
No harm in using autobuild for casual games
Speaking of builds, the game features a convenient autobuild interface at the start of each match. Here, you’ll find a selection of build types that you can choose from, allowing the game to customize your items for you. For example, a frontline character like Chaac—who thrives on sustainability and applying pressure—would be provided with Bruiser and Heavy Tank autobuild options.
The former will automatically balance damage dealing and taking, while the latter will enhance your defenses. Autobuilding is quite effective at casual play levels, so if perfecting a build isn’t something you feel capable of mastering just yet, there’s absolutely no shame in utilizing this feature.
Aspects can significantly alter your playstyle
Aspects are a new feature introduced in Smite 2. Think of these as modifications you apply on the God Select screen after you’ve chosen the god you want to play. Currently, gods have one Aspect to choose from (and some don’t require one at all yet), but they can dramatically change how the character functions. For instance, Athena’s default ultimate ability allows her to teleport across the map to a teammate.
By equipping her Battle Aspect, her ultimate ability will instead let her teleport to someone on the enemy team and deal damage upon landing. Aspects are entirely optional, but it’s worth checking to see if your god has one that may better complement your playstyle.
It’s advisable to familiarize yourself with every god
Variety is the spice of life—or so they say. While it’s quite common for many players to choose a “main” (a primary god you play and master), it’s beneficial to play a few rounds with every god, especially since the game’s absence of killcams means you can’t learn through osmosis after being defeated. This can also allow you to better understand how their abilities operate, their cooldowns, and the type of plays they are capable of executing. Knowing what they can do will help you learn how to counter them effectively.
Practice leads to perfection, and bot games are excellent for honing skills
You might find yourself eager to jump into matches with real players, and that is perfectly valid, but…
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Impressive–but it’s certainly also enjoyable to compete against bots. Each game mode features a sub-mode that allows you to engage with AI, giving you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the maps, experiment with a new character, or simply relax and take it easy in a less intense matchup.
Conversely, while the AI opponents in Smite 2 might be mundane at times, they can unpredictably become significantly smarter than you would expect. Don’t hesitate if they band together against you; at the very least, test your mettle against them.
Adjusting your settings can greatly enhance your gameplay
This may seem obvious, but modifying your controls and settings can significantly improve your comfort in Smite 2. Feel free to explore the menus and check out all the options available for adjustment, especially focusing on the Gameplay section.
Here, make sure you select whether you want to cast abilities with a single button press or double-click to activate them, and adjust your sensitivity until it feels just right. There are numerous other essential settings to review, so take your time and get it right.
Minion waves arrive first… initially
It may be tempting to chase down an enemy in your lane simply because they’re low on health, but Smite 2 is a game where clearing your minion wave is nearly always a priority—at least during the early stages of the match. Unless you (or someone assisting you) can be absolutely certain that you can withstand the damage from the minions and secure a kill, it’s wise to recognize that you might also be forcing an opponent to retreat.
It’s better that you live to fight another day than to risk overextending yourself and getting eliminated. However, later in the game when minions become less significant, it may indeed be more suitable to capitalize on those opportunities.