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.
Combat in SMITE 2 rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. 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. A few abilities, like Bellona's Eagle's Rally, scale from both, so the same god supports two very different builds.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. God Aspects
An Aspect is a per god modifier picked at the fountain that rewrites one ability, sometimes changing its damage type outright. Around seventy exist across the roster, and most gods have at least one.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. 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. You carry six items and cannot hold two copies of the same Tier 3, though duplicate Tier 1 and Tier 2 items are allowed.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. 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. You cannot see behind yourself, which makes positioning matter more than it does in a top down MOBA.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. Jungle buffs and objectives
Four jungle buffs rotate around the map: Caustic for damage, Primal for resources, Inspiration and Pathfinder. Gold Fury sits on the Duo lane side and Fire Giant on the Solo lane side, and the Fire Giant buff turns a won teamfight into a won game.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Strength and Intelligence scaling + God Aspects
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. When combined with God Aspects, an aspect is a per god modifier picked at the fountain that rewrites one ability, sometimes changing its damage type outright. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Item tier recipes + Third person aiming
Two Tier 1 items combine into a Tier 2, and Tier 2 items build into Tier 3 items costing roughly 2200 to 3700 gold. Paired with 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. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Jungle buffs and objectives as a Multiplier
Four jungle buffs rotate around the map: Caustic for damage, Primal for resources, Inspiration and Pathfinder. Gold Fury sits on the Duo lane side and Fire Giant on the Solo lane side, and the Fire Giant buff turns a won teamfight into a won game. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Jungle buffs and objectives optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Build
Each build approaches combat differently:
Mage (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Deathbringer Primary mechanic: Strength and Intelligence scaling
Mage offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Hunter (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Rod of Tahuti Primary mechanic: God Aspects
Hunter offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Warrior (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Heartseeker Primary mechanic: Item tier recipes
Warrior offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Guardian (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Spirit Robe Primary mechanic: Third person aiming
Guardian offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Assassin (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key equipment: Gauntlet of Thebes Primary mechanic: Jungle buffs and objectives
Assassin offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your equipment to your build's stat priorities
- Exploit Strength and Intelligence scaling for maximum damage windows
- Chain God Aspects and Item tier recipes for combo damage
- Use Third person aiming to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- 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.
- Position using Strength and Intelligence scaling to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and equipment for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring God Aspects: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong equipment for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Mid Lane but will get you killed in Fire Giant pit.
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 Boss Guide
- SMITE 2 Maps & Locations
- SMITE 2 Crafting Guide
- SMITE 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy SMITE 2, check out these related guides:
- Dota 2 Combat Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
- Eternal Return Combat Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
- SMITE Combat Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
