Arachne - Snowball or Bust

I've read a few guides regarding Arachne - a lot of which were before the God changes. This guide is an amalgamation of this research plus concepts and ideas I have incorporated into my play style for this God.

I do not intend for this guide to be "best practice" or even the ultimate guide - I'm very aware that it's most undoubtedly not. This is also my first guide so please be kind!

I'm not new to MOBA's although I'm relatively new to SMITE but hopefully have enough grasp of its basic concepts for this to be of help to someone.

FYI this guide is aimed towards Conquest. I'll try and keep this updated as much as possible - don't forget to read the comments below - There are some very good alternative items and tips described by other readers which may not be included in the guide itself.

This guide will be split into two sections (based off of the two item purchase orders above).

With Arachne I always intend to Jungle - from what I have read and witnessed Arachne is one of the strongest Jungle clearing Gods and therefore this is my main objective.

The main premise behind this build strategy is to build up large amounts of attack speed (1.9), Life Steal (45%), Crit chance (50 - 100%) and accompany that with Arachne's enemy slow & chase prowess.

It does leave area's of exploitation but knowing these faults is key to being able to utilise this build to its full potential.

As above, so below - this guide is my proffered method of playing Arachne that I enjoy - do not forget that this is a game that is to be enjoyed - 90% of the time I play this build I will go positive and be a benefit to the team. The strongest game saw me go 46/9/10.

This guide is how I play Arachne - it won't be the best possible build but I know I play well with it. I'm open to further suggestions and welcome constructive criticism as this is my knowledge of the game and this character so far so improvements are encouraged!

Sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where building for a jungle character isn't possible (it's rare but it has happened) situations may include:

• d/c leaving an open lane
• team members in private parties wanting to lane together leaving a lane open
• enemy team is pro at counter Jungling

These are not the only instances i'm sure, but when you get a feel for Jungling basics you have to play things by ear. The changes in this style of play are situational and the items in the above purchase orders are practically the same.

Sometimes it's possible to see that you won't be viable in the Jungle before any items are purchased - if this is the case I build more focused on Solo lane. If you find out after 5 minutes or so that being in the Jungle is not beneficial - although it may seem like a backwards step - cutting your losses early is better than performing poorly and being the main target for the enemy team.

Sell your Bumba's Mask and focus on getting the next items.

This section only describes the differences between the two item purchase orders. The following sections will go into further detail about specific items.

I have seen some people say that Arachne's abilities do not have a well developed 'synergy' and are muddled with no distinct combo patterns. To some degree I can understand this but I think that Arachne's abilities are useful together but can also be used singularly; both with advantageous effect and deciding to combo burst abilities or prolong activation is purely situational. This section will outline the main concepts behind each ability - further detail as per their use will be covered in the game phases sections.

• Predator
  As passive abilities go I like how Arachne's does scale throughout the entirety of a match. As this ability grants additional damage based on a targets missing health a lot of people like to build Qin's Sais as they compliment each other (also Physical Power and Attack Speed are welcomed in this build) - but as Qin's only deals 4% I tend to omit it from this build, but nonetheless it's important to give you all options and recommendations I have noted along my path.
• Venomous Bite
  This ability is very devastating and essential to Arachne's early game progression. I do find that it does fall off in the latter stages in terms of damage output but who really turns down the opportunity to deal DoT whilst in turn regaining some health - it can be the difference between dying and a pentakill.
• Cocoon
  This ability is definitely useful for gaining kills. Not only do it boost your attack speed of your next three auto's but the stun - albeit minor is usually enough to dispose of an enemy. As the stun doesn't scale too much it does mean that achieving max level may be slightly delayed in favour of more useful abilities early on - yet a single point in this ability early is highly recommended.
• Web
  The Web ability is probably my favourite. It's use spans the entirety of the game and it can be used in a multitude of ways:
  

  • Broodlings = Jungle tanks
  • Broken webs = wards (give vision to Arachne)
  • Broodlings can gain you kills without needing to tower dive
  • Broken web trails grant movement speed buff and immunity to slows
  • Broodlings are an effective way to push a lane
• Night Crawler
  As Ultimate's go Arachne's is not the best. With that said it is still a vital tool in this Gods equipment. The beauty of this ability is the dual purpose nature of it being an initiation move or an escape mechanism.
  
  Night Crawler (this is stated loosely) is almost a combination of Loki's Vanish & Assassinate abilities. Some say that Loki's kit is better as Vanish can be used every 15s - this is true but i'd rather have Night Crawler & another useful main ability then being able to zip in and out of sight (IMHO I can't stand Loki - powerful God yes but I don't like that style of play - too sneaky).
  
  Again this ability has the flexibility to be used in a variety of ways and therefore I find that it holds its spot valiantly in this Gods arsenal.

Okay now for the Nitty Gritty...

As with every God in SMITE...the key to success is gaining a good start and maintaining that advantage throughout; with this build this seems to hold more weight than I've noticed with other Gods.

This will leave you with 300g. I tend to leave this and use it towards my first item Ninja Tabi but if you find that you struggle in the first 5 levels then it's more than plausible to get the first item in the Active Items tree
(Sprint / Creeping Curse) Either would increase your survivability in ganks although I find getting Ninja Tabi asap most beneficial. Some may find it unusual to not include Hand of the Gods - again another possible option but I find that Arachne doesn't need the clear after about level 3 (although some may argue the boost in clear time is useful throughout - I just don't use it myself).


This guide assumes that you, the reader, is not unfamiliar with the map used in conquest game types. This information can easily be found online and the fact you're reading guides shows that you are actively seeking knowledge about this game and therefor I won't babysit you too much.


So...before minions spawn - grab your items and head straight into the jungle (short lane side). This guide will not be a step by step guide as to how to jungle either - this is a major part of this build strategy but I don't see that there any recognised meta for the Jungler role. Therefore it's very situational on how this role is played and your game should be proactive rather than reactive.

My situational triggers can be:

• Am I in a party(or team mates are hitting Jungle Camps before wave 1) or solo queuing?
  
  
  If solo:

  • Start at the Damage / Speed Camp (place two Webs prior to spawn)
  • Clear back Xp Camp
  • Help clear Wave 1
  • Clear Mana Camp
  • Move to Middle Xp Camp
    

  
  If party:
  

  • Start at the Damage / Speed Camp (place two Webs prior to spawn)
  • Clear remaining Xp & Mana Camps
  • Clear remaining wave 1
  • Move to Middle Xp Camp
    

  
  
• Is either my team or enemy team trying to get pre-Wave 1 first blood?

Other considerations could include:

• Is it possible to storm the enemy Jungle at around 15s? (Jungle Camps spawn at 10s FYI)
• How likely is it that your team members are going to rotate the Jungle Camps?
• Which Gods are likely to need some gank assistance?
• Has their team got a possible Jungler too? If so be prepared to run into each other...Just make sure you're out-farming them.

These are the kind of things I think about before a match has begun. Again some are more situational than others. The above Jungle starting suggestions are a very basic guide - I don't feel my Jungle skills are top notch and this changes game by game - but this is how I aim to start.

Once this is complete you should have gotten to around level 3/4 - I tend to have used both Healing Potions as the Mana & Damage/Speed Camps are quite tough at this low level. You want to be using your Web Ability to spawn Broodlings to take as much damage as possible. When your health starts to diminish Hit them with a Venomous Bite to drop the Camp quicker and restore some health. This is pretty much the premise of fighting the camps throughout - it just gets easier and easier as your level increases.

It may be beneficial to cross mid lane (Maybe drop a web to give them a little assist) and continue your farm in the opposite Jungle. Once the Camps are taken care of, consider how the dual lane are performing and whether they need a gank whilst you are there. If not head back and assist your Solo lane.

Ganking:
This can be tricky for Arachne so early on...it's possible but care has to be taken as you are squishy. My suggestion would be to try and get behind an enemy pushing your lane. I try and get a Web on them directly instead of relying on them to fall back into it. If it hits, great, you just increased your chances of a kill by probably 50-60%. If not try and land three successive Cocoon buff Autos to lock them down. Avoid getting locked down like the plague.
Get as much damage done and just before they have chance to run smash a Venomous Bite to counter heal any retaliation and deal damage when they begin to run...When they run you can either chase on foot (best if you hold the Speed Buff) and try and land a web in front of them. If its on cool down you can resort to chasing them with your Ult - land just ahead of them and either drop a Web or another Cocoon / V Bite combo.
Even if you don't get the kill you would have severely made your presence known and forced them to recall. It's best to attack fast and with the element of surprise - do this often enough and just the site of you coming from the Jungle towards them will cause them to run and make bad decisions.

You should be in the range of level 8 - 10, with the possibility of a few kills; your items by this time should be similar to the following: Bumba's Mask, Ninja Tabi, Devourer's Gauntlet. These have been prioritised as getting stacks on your gauntlets is best done as early as possible otherwise getting them later would not be as much benefit.


As stated previously you should be aiming to Jungle - but if you find yourself needing to Solo lane it's not the end of the world. Death's Toll replaces Bumba's Mask This should help keep you in lane longer.

You should play the Solo lane quite passively - this is due to you being so squishy. Let them push - if they push hard enough to reach your tower drop a web in tower range to prevent the Minions damaging the tower for as long as possible. Care still needs to be taken for tower dives as being stun locked can easily result in your death although it's still possible with a Web & Cocoon combo to take out an enemy with the towers assistance.

It may be possible once you've reached level 3/4 to drop a couple of Webs along the minion path and dip into the Jungle to take out a few mobs before returning to defend the tower.

Your main aim should be to remain in lane and suck up that beautiful Solo Xp. Use your Venomous Bite to keep your health above 70%. The Early game phase is the main difference in approach - once past this phase the build takes a more universal role.

Your items should be similar to the following: Death's Toll, Ninja Tabi, Devourer's Gauntlet.

This phase is where this build starts to take shape.

Your main objectives should be as follows:

In this phase there is a possibility that team fights are becoming more frequent. I wouldn't say avoid these but you must approach them with caution. This is because I've found that Arachne is often focused (I don't know if it is due to her large surface area or whether people just hate her that much...it's most likely due to the fact that experienced players know how quickly she can be killed once caught out of position).
Either way if the fight consists of 6 players or more (both teams) I tend to wait a few seconds after kick off before jumping into the fray. This pause often stops the focusing as people have chosen their enemies and are less likely to switch targets...by this point it's too late.

Arachne is best suited to 1v1 fights.

I cannot stress this enough - She can deal with multiple enemies but in the mid phase 1v1 there's not many Gods that can out-box her or even escape.

So with that said you should be continuing your farm by Jungle Camps and dipping in and out of lanes across the map. keeping your self buffed is a massive advantage - I rarely see myself without one.

The first Mid game item is The Executioner. This gives Arachne a very welcome Physical Power and Attack Speed Boost. After this is obtained do not be afraid to get yourself into a 1v1 fight.

Secondly you should aim for the Soul Eater. Another Attack Speed buff with some Life Steal (plus aura) and a much needed increase of 300hp.

Once these items are obtained you are probably going to be around level 13 - 15. It is at this point you are able to Solo kill the Gold Fury - Do this as soon as possible. You want to get this done before the enemy has even considered it (sometimes they will have team killed the Gold Fury but it's not likely in Casual). This will give you and your team and healthy boost to their farm.

I'd consider selling your Bumba's Mask / Death's Toll at this point as their benefits are not really noticeable now and this gold can be used towards getting your end game items more promptly.

Items at the end of phase: Ninja Tabi, Devourer's Gauntlet, The Executioner, Soul Eater.

This phase, if everything has gone to plan, is where this build starts to dominate.

Hopefully by this point your God should be the highest level in the game. If this is the case you're in very good stead and it is crucial that you take advantage of it.

As you have invested farm into Life Steal, you're able to quite easily counter heal any damage dealt to you. This phase deals with increasing your Crit chance and overall damage (and in-turn your Life Steal).

You are effectively employing the same tactics found in the Mid game phase but you're able to do it with a lot more aggression. Roam the map, kill Jungle Camps, gank where possible and continue to kill the Gold Fury (Respawns every 5mins - check the icon on the map and do not forget that your Web can be used to ward the Gold Fury / Fire Giant). As you are aiming to be the highest level God in the game this will give all your lower level team mates a much needed boost.

I focus on farming a Deathbringer asap. Once this is done you should be dealing significant damage.

Once complete get yourself Rage. Another boost to Physical Power and a substantial increase to Crit chance.

Edit:
Some suggestion has been made to switch the build order between these two items - I have read in other guides to buy Rage before Deathbringer keep this in mind - try mixing it up. This guide is flexible so make it work for you.


With this setup you should be able to effectively kill anyone, although care should still be taken in team fights. High burst enemies such as Loki can be a problem as it gives you less time to recover your health although I've successfully won fights with these Gods even when they have the initiation advantage (the Soul Eater 300hp is just enough to keep you alive). It's not out of the realms of possibility to reach Cries over 800 with this build and with the relatively high attack speed you can see how quickly enemies can drop. 2/3 hit kills are quite common and with 45% Life Steal on an 800 Crit is tasty mid fight.

Some may have noticed that I haven't said to buy any actives...They are listed in the Purchase Orders. I like to get my main items as quickly as possible - feel free to buy actives along the way but expect them to push back your late game items by a few minutes. Some would argue that these items would increase farm...I don't know why but this is the only build I buy actives last.
Once I have the above items I don't need the money and I get the actives for the final stages of the match just for some extra control and escape options.

You should be pushing back to the enemy base by this point. Grab kills, kill Phoenix's and as you all know get that enemy titan down.

Final item list: Ninja Tabi, Devourer's Gauntlet, The Executioner, Soul Eater, Deathbringer, Rage & Situational Actives.

Pros:

Cons:

1. Do not underestimate the lingering effects of Venomous Bite's poison - in the early game phase this can gain you kills long after you've ditched the fight!
   
2. Your spiders in the early phase can also be instrumental in gaining you kills.
   
3. I've faked recalling outside an enemy Phoenix before. I had about 20%. You all know how satisfying it is to cancel someone's recall... I've waited for enemies to come and stall the recall - cancelled the recall and gained a triple kill outside their base and ended up with near full health - continue the push.
   
4. If you take damage outside the enemy don't be afraid to leave the fight and quickly kill a Jungle Camp - you will have prevented an unwanted death and you will have most of your health back to continue the fight.