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.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mage | A | Balanced | Deathbringer | Yes |
| Hunter | A | Balanced | Rod of Tahuti | Yes |
| Warrior | A | Balanced | Heartseeker | Yes |
| Guardian | A | Balanced | Spirit Robe | Yes |
| Assassin | A | Balanced | Gauntlet of Thebes | Yes |
New player? Start with Hunter. See our beginner's guide for why.
Mage
Mage is a strong option in SMITE 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Deathbringer |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Strength and Intelligence scaling |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Deathbringer
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Mid Lane to learn Mage-specific mechanics
- Focus on Strength and Intelligence scaling. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Deathbringer as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Hunter
Hunter is a strong option in SMITE 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Rod of Tahuti |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | God Aspects |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Rod of Tahuti
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Mid Lane to learn Hunter-specific mechanics
- Focus on God Aspects. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Rod of Tahuti as your first major upgrade
- See our full Hunter build guide for the optimal gear progression
Warrior
Warrior is a strong option in SMITE 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Heartseeker |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Item tier recipes |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Heartseeker
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Mid Lane to learn Warrior-specific mechanics
- Focus on Item tier recipes. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Heartseeker as your first major upgrade
- See our full Warrior build guide for the optimal gear progression
Guardian
Guardian is a strong option in SMITE 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Spirit Robe |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Third person aiming |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Spirit Robe
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Mid Lane to learn Guardian-specific mechanics
- Focus on Third person aiming. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Spirit Robe as your first major upgrade
- See our full Guardian build guide for the optimal gear progression
Assassin
Assassin is a strong option in SMITE 2.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Gauntlet of Thebes |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Jungle buffs and objectives |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Gauntlet of Thebes
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Mid Lane to learn Assassin-specific mechanics
- Focus on Jungle buffs and objectives. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Gauntlet of Thebes as your first major upgrade
- See our full Assassin build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Hunter is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Mage is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Deathbringer for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Assassin offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Guardian shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More SMITE 2 Guides
- SMITE 2 SMITE 2 Overview
- SMITE 2 Best Builds
- 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
Similar Games
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- Eternal Return Classes Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
- SMITE Classes Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
