This is the original SMITE, the third person MOBA Hi-Rez and Titan Forge launched out of beta on 25 March 2014 and later put on Steam. Its roster closed at 130 gods, finishing with the Egyptian sky goddess Nut in Year 11, after which all new content moved to SMITE 2. The servers are still up and matches still fill, but the game sits in maintenance mode, so what follows describes a settled game rather than a moving one.
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 | Qin's Sais | Yes |
| Hunter | A | Balanced | Jotunn's Wrath | Yes |
| Warrior | A | Balanced | Titan's Bane | Yes |
| Guardian | A | Balanced | Book of Thoth | Yes |
| Assassin | A | Balanced | Sovereignty | Yes |
New player? Start with Hunter. See our beginner's guide for why.
Mage
Mage is a strong option in SMITE.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Qin's Sais |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Physical and Magical Power |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Qin's Sais
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Conquest lanes to learn Mage-specific mechanics
- Focus on Physical and Magical Power. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Qin's Sais as your first major upgrade
- See our full Mage build guide for the optimal gear progression
Hunter
Hunter is a strong option in SMITE.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Jotunn's Wrath |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Relics as free actives |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Jotunn's Wrath
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Conquest lanes to learn Hunter-specific mechanics
- Focus on Relics as free actives. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Jotunn's Wrath as your first major upgrade
- See our full Hunter build guide for the optimal gear progression
Warrior
Warrior is a strong option in SMITE.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Titan's Bane |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Third person aiming |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Titan's Bane
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Conquest lanes to learn Warrior-specific mechanics
- Focus on Third person aiming. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Titan's Bane as your first major upgrade
- See our full Warrior build guide for the optimal gear progression
Guardian
Guardian is a strong option in SMITE.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Book of Thoth |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Conquest objectives |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Book of Thoth
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Conquest lanes to learn Guardian-specific mechanics
- Focus on Conquest objectives. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Book of Thoth as your first major upgrade
- See our full Guardian build guide for the optimal gear progression
Assassin
Assassin is a strong option in SMITE.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Sovereignty |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Maintenance mode and the SMITE 2 handover |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Sovereignty
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Conquest lanes to learn Assassin-specific mechanics
- Focus on Maintenance mode and the SMITE 2 handover. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Sovereignty 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 Qin's Sais 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 Guides
- SMITE SMITE Overview
- SMITE Best Builds
- SMITE Tier List
- SMITE Walkthrough
- SMITE Beginner's Guide
- SMITE Tips & Tricks
- SMITE Weapons Guide
- SMITE Combat Guide
- SMITE Boss Guide
- SMITE Maps & Locations
- SMITE Crafting Guide
Similar Games
If you enjoy SMITE, check out these related guides:
- Dota 2 Classes Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
- Eternal Return Classes Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
- SMITE 2 Classes Guide: moba game with similar mechanics
