Mages inSMITEare potentially the most versatile class in the game. Mages aren’t bound by many restrictions in terms of categorization, so they find themselves useful in a variety of situations. They primarily find play in the middle lane, but a select few can be flexed into any of the other roles in the game. In fact, some mages specialize in these unexpected roles, allowing for surprises in the draft.
RELATED:Mistakes Everyone Makes While Playing Smite
As the most represented role in the game (sorry Guardian enthusiasts,at least there’s Chthulu), there’s a Mage God for every player. Complexity is hardly a relevant factor in determining power, as some of the most effective Mages are the most simple ones. For those curious as to which mages are considered the most effective going into the latest season, here are some suggestions to try out.
Updated 2 July, 2021 by Rhenn Taguiam:Mages in multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) are often glorified glass cannons. However, they do boast remarkable damage potential and often serve as go-to support units thanks to their remarkable mix of abilities. InSmite, Mages maintain this specialty; however,SmiteMages boast devastating firepower and crowd control potential. As a result, Mages inSmitedo more thandish out destructive AOE attacks and spells. Many also change battlefield dynamics with unique support abilities, utility options, and crowd control mechanics.
15Freya
Though the Queen of the Valkyries is designated a Mage instead of the archetypal Warrior, her penchant for magic doesn’t make her a pushover. Given her lack of sustainability options, Freya might play a defensive ADC in the early game, but can devastate the late game with the right kind of approach. Freya can dish out heavy single-target damage with enough firepower to clear waves. Her eventual lifesteal benefits can also help her outlast others in teamfights.
HerBrisingamen’s Blessing(Passive) gives Freya decent lifesteal, which can be amplified with the right item. Meanwhile, her core damage skills act as buffs.Irradiate(S1) lets her basic attacks do Magical damage for good burst damage. Likewise, herPulse(S2) adds a ranged Magical damage element to her attacks, great for wave clears.Valkyrie’s Discretion(Ultimate) allows her to fly and dish out devastating AOE burst attacks for a duration.
14Poseidon
As a Mage, Poseidon uses the sheer destructive force of the seas to obliterate his foes. The Greek God of the Oceans boasts remarkably high damage with great crowd control potential. His toolkit makes him extremely efficient in teamfights, especially in the late game. His straightforward rotation also makes him an easy-enough character to master.
Poseidon’s primary abilities use aTidal Meterthat increases the more he attacks. HisChanging Tides(Passive) will boost his damage and speed the higher this Tidal Meter becomes. However, Poseidon can also decrease his Tidal Meter to make use of his powerful kit. For instance, hisTrident(S2) beefs up his basic attack and speed further. His Ultimate,Release the Kraken, is a debilitating CC that provides either a debilitating slow or a shattering knockback-stun.
13Eset
In terms of offense, Eset can clear minions withWing Gust(S1) or dish out bigger damage to other Gods withSpirit Ball(S2). When playing on the defense, Eset can silence opponents and boost the defenses of allies in range. At instant detonation, Eset’s Ultimate,Circle of Protection,not only heals and protects allies but also deals moderate damage. At full charge, the Circle of Protection may wipe out the enemy squad.
12Ao Kuang
Ao Kuang might belong to the Mage Class, but his distinction as Dragon King of the Eastern Seas gives his magical prowess a regal and lethal flare. He plays like a Mage and an Assassin in one, combining great AOE mix-ups with killing potential. Thanks to his diverse kit and straightforward rotation, Ao Kuang is one of the most prominent Junglers in the game.
Ao Kuang can call upon various dragons to take on multiple opponents. Meanwhile, hisWild Storm(S3) andKing of the Eastern Seas(Ultimate) use the power of lightning or his draconic form to mow down escaping foes.
11Olorun
Olorun commands the skies as the Yoruba Ruler of the Heavens. He sparked the Sun into life, and can command the light to his whims. Being the archetypal Mage, Olorun can dish out great AOE damage to deter the enemy approach. However, Olorun also has a straightforward enough kit for beginners who want to master the magic-user archetype.
RELATED:Smite: Best Assassin Gods, Ranked
WithTouch of Fate(Passive), Olorun gains a boost in crit chance and overall crit damage - useful for his offensive skills. His major damage dealers come in the form of the long-rangeFocused Light(S1) and the close-range knockbackConsecration(S3). HisSanctified FieldUltimate is a debilitating slow to enemies, which drastically increases Olorun’s overall speed as well.
10Chang’e
Chang’e, the Faerie of the Moon, is a free-flowing character. Although she lacks the blinks or dashes of other Gods, her mobility is impressive. Chang’e doesn’t have hard cast times on her abilities, making her very snappy to play. Add onto that total immunity, a strong teamfighting ultimate, and a nice laning passive, and the result is a simple, but effective God.
Chang’e does have a couple of weaknesses. Her damage is limited compared to other more traditional mages. The range on the damage she does have is also quite limited. She’smost effective in mid-rangesituations. While these limitations make her weaker in the midlane, in the solo lane she can put out some serious hurt onto melee opponents. Do not underestimate the power of moonlight.
9Discordia
Discordia, the Goddess of Strife, is chaos incarnate. While she doesn’t create as much madness as her lore would indicate, she’s still unpredictable. Discordia plays two different roles: one part siege mage, one part burst mage. HerUnruly Magicis on a short cooldown, clearing waves with ease and inflicting chip damage that adds up over time. This, plus cooldown reduction in her smoke cloud, makes her a menace in drawn-out fights.
Discordia also has two wildly effective CC abilities.Strifeis great for locking opponents in place, andher ultimateinflicts two forms of CC that prevent an enemy from playing the game entirely. The ultimate is inconsistent to land, but the huge AoE it deals in conjunction with Unruly Magic can win a teamfight single-handedly. Plus, her passive creates a fun little competition for her allies.
8Hera
Hera, the Queen of the Gods, has palpable#Girlbossenergy. Her basic abilities leave a lot to be desired on their own, and it makes her early laning somewhat dubious. She has some useful tools with a shield and great CC, but lacks damage. However, with herultimate, Hera becomes a fully-fledged ruler of the map.
RELATED:Smite: Gods To Try Before Cthulhu (& Ones To Skip)
Argus, The Defender, enables a lot of what makes Hera so powerful.Summoning Arguson its own is a serious power-move, but it matters the most in extended battles. Argus is a full-on tank for Hera, blocking shots and crippling enemies that get too close. In conjunction with herhealing passiveand shield, Argus is hard to kill. Argus and Hera have the potential to dominate teamfights and take total control.
7He Bo
He Bo, the God of the Yellow River, is the definition of a burst mage. His bread-and-butter combo can erase any squishy God from the map at any point in time. This, of course, requires actually landing the combo. Less experienced playerswill likely take a few gamesto get used to putting it all together. But once it comes together, it flows so nicely.
He Bo, aside from his wild burst through hisWater CannonandCrushing Wave, is great at maneuvering around the map. TheAltas of the Yellow Rivergives him control of the terrain in a fight, along with giving him an easy path to gank side lanes. With his strong AoE, He Bo can also be played as a jungler for teams in need of more magic damage.
6The Morrigan
The Morrigan, Phantom Queen, is hard to comprehend. Newer players will likely struggle to play both as and against The Morrigan, though some argue she’s not nearly as complex as her “Very Hard” rating claims. This may seem strange, especially considering her kit is straightforward as far as mages are concerned.
The Morrigan’s complexity comes in her trickery and her ultimate. She has stealth, which can be combined to layer on a free stun through herDeadly Aspectsability. Her ultimate is her most iconic and effective tool.Changelingallows The Morrigan to literally become any other God in the game. She copies their abilities, items, and can even use enemy ultimates. It has a limited duration, though, so a skilled player will need to make the most of it.
