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Currently In Beta: SMITE
Hi-Rez Studio’s upcoming MOBA, SMITE, will be out of beta
within the next month, and will be available to all as a free to play, free to
download game.
SMITE is an online battleground, or
MOBA, of the Gods. Players choose from a select pool of deities, from Greek and
Roman, to Hindu and Chinese, or the Mayan Gods. These players are grouped into
two teams of 5, and battle to destroy the enemy team’s base. SMITE is an
innovative take on the popular MOBA genre; rather than the typical top-down view
in games such as LoL, SMITE uses the third person perspective to make team
fights and duels up close and personal. Using the WASD keys to move through the
battlegrounds makes SMITE’s gameplay unique, as compared to their competition.
Skills, and even Auto-attacks, must be manually aimed.
Ever wondered what it felt like to
be a God? Well, in SMITE, you have that power. Cut through your enemies with a
razor-edged sword, hurl bolts of lightning, or use feral teeth and claws to
bring down your foes. Assuming direct control of a God, like the revered Zeus
of Greek Mythology, and smiting your foes with lightning is entirely
satisfying. There is a long list of Gods and Goddesses, from Kali, Mercury, and
Chaac, to Ra, Nemesis, and even Hercules. Each of the Gods and Goddesses has
their own history, special abilities, and unique play styles to fit each combat
situation and team composition.
Much like within the MOBA genre,
SMITE is comprised of the typical meta. Hunters, otherwise known as Attack
Damage Carries, or ADCs, generally have the highest output of damage. They are
almost always focused first if they have good gear. Mages, otherwise known as
Ability Power Carries, or APCs, generally have the highest magical damage
output. Warriors, otherwise known as Bruisers, have a balance between health,
armor and magic resistance, and damage. Assassins have a high burst damage
output, and generally have the lower resistances and health than other Gods.
Guardians, otherwise known as tanks, keep the damage dealers off of their less
armored teammates, and generally have higher resistances and health than their
teammates. Supports sustain, heal, and keep their teammates alive during team
fights, and generally are some of the least armored of their teammates. Each of
these roles can be either be played melee or ranged, dependent on the God’s
skill set.
Within a single match, your God or
Goddesses rises from level 1, to the max level of 20. The more kills they receive,
and the more minions they kill, the faster they rise in level, increasing their
Magical Power, Physical Power, Defense or Utility capabilities. Items purchased
through the in-game store with gold earned tremendously increase your chosen
God or Goddesses statistics, becoming far more powerful. Farming is a bit
easier in Smite, as gold is shared between Gods, and the easy to learn,
difficult to master ‘Last Hitting’ mechanic in MOBA is changed. If you deal the
majority of the damage to a minion, even if you don’t achieve the last hit, you’re
still given a portion of the gold, instead of the full reward.
Lanes
are so-named Short (Left-Lane) Mid (Middle), Duo (Right Lane). Short lane is
usually comprised of a warrior/guardian on each team, or assassin, going
against another warrior/guardian or assassin in a 1 on 1 duel. Short lane can
also be a Duo lane, but it isn’t recommended. Mid lane is where the Mage or APC
lanes against another Mage in a 1 on 1 duel. Right lane is commonly known as
the Duo lane, and is comprised of a Hunter or ADC and a Guardian or Support
against another team comprised of a similar composition. Any God can be a
Jungler in SMITE, which allows for a more varied team composition, compared to
games such as League of Legends of Heroes of Newerth. The jungle is generally
much larger in Smite, and, unlike other MOBAs, a jungler can only carry 1 buff
at a time. The jungle is a very unique aspect of SMITE. Buffs include Speed,
Damage, Mana Regen, and the very important Fire Giant buff, and Gold Fury, who
disperses 300 gold to each God. Minion creeps are comprised of Cyclops and Harpy
Warriors. The jungle is massive, and is generally the best way to juke enemy
Gods, or devise ambushes. Wards are a must within the jungle, and help keep an
eye out for ganks.
Matches last roughly, between 15-30
minutes, sometimes longer if it’s a close game. As lanes are pushed to the
enemy or ally phoenixes, teams have to keep a close watch on their base. As
minions, with weapons enchanted with fire, will begin spawning as soon as a
phoenix is destroyed, leaving your base, or your enemies, open for attack. A
balance of offense and defense, team coordination, and above all else, team
communication, are key factors in achieving victory.
I am currently around level 15 in
the beta, and have a decent amount of experience with the game. I will have a
link below to Hi-Rez’s website for SMITE, where you can sign up and play for
free. Hey! If you’re thinking of trying it out, I’ll refer you. All we need to
do is exchange e-mails, and we are both rewarded as you climb in level, earning
favor (used to buy Gods and some recolored skins) and Gems (used to be detailed
skins). If you're looking to add me, my name is Rethelias.
I will have a full review of SMITE when it officially releases in March.
See you on the battlefield! And,
please, for the love of the Gods, don’t feed… No one likes a feeder.
-Brian
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