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This is my favorite final build.
To get some physical strength, movement speed and protection.
These are the best choice items which should be in the final build.
For more attack speed/damage, more protection (magical) or more lifesteal.
For me Kali is one of the best godesses in Smite. I love to play the Assassin Role and my favorite game mode is Arena. So with an assassin you quickly get the whole enemy team on you when you attack one of them. That means that you have to keep in mind: I need a way out of battle (i. e. by using one of my abilities) or you also have to use some defensive items to let you survive your attack. Especially on Assassins which are supposed to jump in, make a kill and get out, this is essential.
So this is what brings me to my choice of items. Although in my opinion Kali is an ability based Assassin you also have to lay an eye on her attack speed. This is why I normally start with Ninja Tabi followed by Mystical Mail to get some movement speed, attack speed, physical protection and a damaging aura. Normally I continue with building Brawler's Beat Stick to get some physical penetration and, most important, the item's passive which gives my Lash more DOT potential. This is followed by Qin's Sais for some more attack speed and extra damage on basic attacks against enemy gods.
As these are my core items it is now the time to get situational. If I'm going to max out my damage potential I'm going to chose The Crusher and/or The Executioner. To max out protection (especially against Mages) my items of choice are Ancile and/or Pestilence to get some extra physical strength, magical protection and the reduction of the enemy's healing pushes Lash. If I want some more lifesteal I chose Soul Eater (which also gives cooldown reduction) and/or Bloodforge (for some more physical power). Of course if necessary the order of purchase can be changed.
As mentioned before Kali is a "Hit and Run" godess. That means going or jumping in, killing the enemy and get out before the rest of the team tries to protect or revenge their teammate. As Kali is quite squishy at the beginning you should try to get some XP and gold by killing minions and/or gods separated from their team and preferably at low health. Best is to jump in with Nimble Strike, stun the enemy with Incense, put some bleeding on with Lash and then finish off with some basic attacks or Destruction. Once more protection is build you can get some more risky and attack even enemies which are next to some of their teammates.
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One MAJOR, MAJOR issue in your writeup is that you say you feel that Kali is an ability-based god. I'm not sure where you get that, but the 2 core items for her are typically Qin's Sais and Hastened Katana. How is Katana not even listed, even as a situational (which it's not...again, it's core)? Finding use from the god's abilities doesn't mean she's an ability-based god. She uses Lash for poke and sustain while boxing. She uses Nimble Strike either for a gap closer/chaser when you go all-in, or save it as an escape. She uses Incense for a decent power boost and for the CC (which also helps interrupt channeled abilities). And of course Destruction is to save herself when in danger.
But 90% of her damage against an enemy god will be with her basic attacks if you're doing it well. That makes her a basic-attack god.
Now, why are Hastened Katana and Qin's Sais core for her? The answers are separate, and I'd be interested in your answers. If you don't know, I don't mind explaining, but to take more time with my comments on your build, I want to know you're going to be back, and will respond, and have interest in possibly improving the build or at least have an open mind.