This SMITE tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Builds Rankings
| Tier | Build | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Mage | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Hunter | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Warrior | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Guardian | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Assassin | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Builds Analysis
Mage (A-Tier)
Mage is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Qin's Sais. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Hunter (A-Tier)
Hunter is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Jotunn's Wrath. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Warrior (A-Tier)
Warrior is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Titan's Bane. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Guardian (A-Tier)
Guardian is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Book of Thoth. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Assassin (A-Tier)
Assassin is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Sovereignty. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Equipment Rankings
| Equipment | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qin's Sais | Basic attack Hunters and attack speed Assassins facing a Guardian and Warrior frontline. | A physical item whose passive adds damage on every basic attack based on a share of the target's maximum health, scaling further against high health targets. |
| Jotunn's Wrath | Junglers and Warriors whose damage comes from abilities, bought as a first or second core item. | Physical Power, flat penetration, cooldown reduction and mana in one mid priced item. |
| Titan's Bane | Physical gods in the third or fourth slot, once the enemy frontline has started itemising protections. | Percentage based physical penetration, which cuts through protections rather than inflating your own number. |
| Book of Thoth | Mid lane Mages who can start it before ten minutes and will collect assists steadily through the mid game. | A stacking magical item that turns maximum mana into Magical Power and gains stacks from kills and assists. |
| Sovereignty | Guardians in the long lane against a physical damage carry, bought as an early core item. | An aura item granting physical protection and health to allies standing near you. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Equipment Analysis
Qin's Sais: A physical item whose passive adds damage on every basic attack based on a share of the target's maximum health, scaling further against high health targets. Attack speed multiplies it, Physical Power does not.
Jotunn's Wrath: Physical Power, flat penetration, cooldown reduction and mana in one mid priced item. It is the single reason ability based physical gods function in this game.
Titan's Bane: Percentage based physical penetration, which cuts through protections rather than inflating your own number. Its value rises with every defensive item the enemy buys.
Book of Thoth: A stacking magical item that turns maximum mana into Magical Power and gains stacks from kills and assists. Bought late it is a wasted slot, bought early it is the largest Magical Power source available.
Sovereignty: An aura item granting physical protection and health to allies standing near you. Support builds are priced around items like this, because a support's gold does more spread across four teammates.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in SMITE centers on Physical and Magical Power and Relics as free actives. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Mage with Qin's Sais is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Third person aiming builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Warrior remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Hunter is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Titan's Bane offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Assassin builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Build | Best Gear | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Mage | Qin's Sais | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Hunter | Jotunn's Wrath | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Warrior | Titan's Bane | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Guardian | Book of Thoth | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Assassin | Sovereignty | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More SMITE Guides
- SMITE SMITE Overview
- SMITE Best Builds
- SMITE Walkthrough
- SMITE Beginner's Guide
- SMITE Tips & Tricks
- SMITE Weapons Guide
- SMITE Combat Guide
- SMITE Boss Guide
- SMITE Maps & Locations
- SMITE Crafting Guide
- SMITE Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy SMITE, check out these related guides:
- Dota 2 Tier List: moba game with similar mechanics
- Eternal Return Tier List: moba game with similar mechanics
- SMITE 2 Tier List: moba game with similar mechanics
