Titan Forge rebuilt SMITE in Unreal Engine 5 and opened it on Steam on 27 August 2024 as a free to play title. The deepest change sits in the stat system: Physical and Magical Power became Strength and Intelligence, every basic attack scales off 100 percent of Strength and 20 percent of Intelligence, and abilities state which stat they use. Aspects go further by rewriting a single ability on a god, often flipping them into a different role entirely.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mage | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Hunter | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Warrior | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Guardian | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Assassin | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our SMITE 2 tier list.
A-Tier: Mage
Mage is a top-performing option in SMITE 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Deathbringer | 2900 gold for 45 Strength and 20 percent critical chance, with a passive that raises critical strike damage from 1. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Strength and Intelligence scaling | Every basic attack takes 100 percent of your Strength and 20 percent of your Intelligence, and each ability lists which of the two it scales from. |
How to Play Mage
Mage focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Deathbringer does the damage and Strength and Intelligence scaling keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Hunter
Hunter is a strong option in SMITE 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Rod of Tahuti | 3000 gold for 80 Intelligence, 250 max mana and 5 percent penetration, with a passive granting extra Intelligence equal to 25 percent of the Intelligence you already have from items. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | God Aspects | An Aspect is a per god modifier picked at the fountain that rewrites one ability, sometimes changing its damage type outright. |
How to Play Hunter
Hunter focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Pair Rod of Tahuti with God Aspects and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Warrior
Warrior is a strong option in SMITE 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Heartseeker | 3000 gold for 45 Strength, 250 max mana and 10 percent penetration. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Item tier recipes | Two Tier 1 items combine into a Tier 2, and Tier 2 items build into Tier 3 items costing roughly 2200 to 3700 gold. |
How to Play Warrior
Warrior focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Item tier recipes covers the gap Heartseeker leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Guardian
Guardian is a specialized option in SMITE 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Spirit Robe | 2500 gold for 20 physical protection, 20 magical protection and 15 tenacity. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Third person aiming | The camera sits behind your god, so most abilities are skill shots you aim by hand and every hit is a manual decision. |
How to Play Guardian
Guardian focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: This one leans on Third person aiming rather than raw numbers, and Spirit Robe is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Assassin
Assassin is a specialized option in SMITE 2.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Gauntlet of Thebes | 2200 gold for 200 health and 150 mana, stacking to 40 charges at 15 health each. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Jungle buffs and objectives | Four jungle buffs rotate around the map: Caustic for damage, Primal for resources, Inspiration and Pathfinder. |
How to Play Assassin
Assassin focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this build works: Gauntlet of Thebes and Jungle buffs and objectives pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Hunter: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Mage once you understand core mechanics and have access to Deathbringer
- Keep a Warrior setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Assassin for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Read the ability tooltips before you commit to a build. Each ability states whether it scales from Strength or Intelligence, and a small number scale from both, which is the only reason hybrid item choices exist at all.
- Rod of Tahuti belongs in your fifth or sixth slot rather than your second. Its passive grants Intelligence equal to 25 percent of the Intelligence you already have from items, so buying it early wastes most of the effect.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More SMITE 2 Guides
- SMITE 2 SMITE 2 Overview
- SMITE 2 Tier List
- SMITE 2 Walkthrough
- SMITE 2 Beginner's Guide
- SMITE 2 Tips & Tricks
- SMITE 2 Weapons Guide
- SMITE 2 Combat Guide
- SMITE 2 Boss Guide
- SMITE 2 Maps & Locations
- SMITE 2 Crafting Guide
- SMITE 2 Classes & Characters
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