The Overarching Assault Guide (Part 2 of 3)

*note* I've tried to make this as simple as possible for easy comparison purposes. Here is the key and some comments:

• Pow = power. Using max stack value on Bloodforge's passive.
• Pen = all stats that contribute to penetration. The hierarchy is (highest to lowest) % protection reduction, flat protection reduction, % penetration, flat penetration. For simplicity, I'm only using the values at max stacks. Here is a good link explaining penetration calculations and hierarchy: Smite Wiki - Penetration
• LS = lifesteal. Using max stack value on Bloodforge's passive. Range is due to Asi's passive when at < 25% health.
• AS = attack speed. For simplicity, I've just added all of the items' percentages together.
• Crit = critical hit percent, % damage increase. Used Krett's calculated average (from Rage's passive crit increase function).
• Int = Intangibles. In this, I'm referring to something that's not clearly laid out just by looking at the numbers.

Unicorn Bloodforge Warrior Tabi Qin's Sais Asi Brawler's Beat Stick Titan's Bane Gold = 14,125 Pow = 195 Pen = 0 / 0 / 33% / 50 LS = 35-70% AS = 64% Crit = 0 Int = Anti-Heal

Zapacorn Bloodforge Warrior Tabi The Executioner Qin's Sais Titan's Bane Rage Gold = 14,830 Pow = 215 Pen = 24% / 18 / 33% / 15 LS = 30% AS = 59% Crit = ~41%, +200% Int = N/A

Pegasus Bloodforge Warrior Tabi The Executioner Rage Qin's Sais Deathbringer Gold = 15,930 Pow = 235 Pen = 24% / 18 / 0 / 15 LS = 30% AS = 59% Crit = ~56%, +250% Int = DB passive

For an in-depth video analysis with links to his data, check out Krett's YouTube breakdown here:





The Unicorn (I guess its horn is a symbol for penetration) employs a higher amount of penetration items at the expense of critical damage, and is focused on getting as much as possible out of Qin's Sais' passive by 1) getting it online early, at #3 in the build order, and 2) increasing attack speed. This means its biggest damage increase comes online first. It's also the cheapest of the 3, so it can be completed before the others, giving you a relatively stronger mid-game.


With regard to that penetration, it focuses on flat penetration, and is very effective vs. objectives (towers, phoenix). It's also great for hunters that use their damage abilities a lot (e.g. Neith). Against enemies, it's most effective against bruiser builds (some protection, but not a complete tank build).


With no crit items, you're not dealing with RNG, and so you can expect reliable, steady damage. And that potential boost to lifesteal from Asi means that in a boxing match against a low damage tank, you should be able to easily take them on and outlast them.


Of special note, Brawler's Beat Stick's passive makes this a great anti-healer build. This isn't to say you can't slot this in another build, though.


Finally, I should mention there's a variant to Unicorn, called Execorn. The only change is that you slot in The Executioner instead of Asi. The main effect is that you'll have less sustain/lifesteal, but stronger penetration at full stacks. BaRRa says that he only prefers it on Anhur.





As this build has almost the same gold cost as the traditional crit build, but has higher DPS overall, this can be considered to be its superior replacement. As you might note from the Quick Stats section above, it's pretty much middle of the road with all of its stats.


Since it has crits to go along with the protection reduction/penetration, it ends up being the best of the 3 builds against tanks. It's also pretty good against objectives.


This build maxes out attack speed at the time it gets Qin's Sais at #4, so its power spike happens a bit later than the Unicorn, but earlier than Pegasus.


The most specific time that the traditional crit build might be better than Zapacorn would be against a somewhat squishy team, while using a god with a strong steroid (e.g. Artemis or Rama.




The Pegasus build ends up with the highest DPS by far, at least with regard to squishier gods. As they get tankier, the difference in DPS, at least in comparison to the Zapacorn build, decreases to the point of being negligible.


Penetration in this build is perhaps the weakest of the 3, as it has low actual penetration (relies more on reducing protections via The Executioner. This also means it's the weakest of the 3 at destroying objectives.


However, it is the only build that employs Deathbringer (at #6). So when you have a full build, the combination of Qin's Sais' and Deathbringer's passives means you're going to tear through other hunters, assassins, and most mages. The biggest problem is that it costs significantly more than the other builds (almost 2,000 more than Unicorn!!!).


This build is great if you foresee a long, bloody match against a relatively squishy team. Might consider getting Watcher's Gift in the early going to help with the gold issue.

I'll make this section into a podium: 1st place, 2nd, and 3rd. I think I'm pretty accurate here...

Squishies Pegasus Zapacorn Unicorn

Bruisers Unicorn Zapacorn Pegasus

Tanks Zapacorn Unicorn Pegasus

Objectives Unicorn Zapacorn Pegasus

Anti-Heal Unicorn DNF DNF

Ability Strength Unicorn Pegasus Zapacorn

Mid-Game Unicorn Zapacorn Pegasus

Late Game Pegasus Zapacorn Unicorn

To summarize otherwise...


Use Unicorn when:

• There is a strong enemy group-healer (e.g. Ra, Hel, Guan Yu, Sylvanus)
• Your team has 4+ physical gods, and the majority of the enemies are building at least 1 protection item
• You plan to spam your abilities from afar, rather than get up close
• Your team is dominating and you think there's a good possibility the match will end early
• You like to complain about RNG

Use Zapacorn when:

• You're most comfortable with the standard crit build
• The enemy team has a lot of tanks
• You want a good balance of effectiveness against all types of enemies

Use Pegasus when:

• The enemy team is mostly squishies
• You have lots of $$$ and/or the game looks like it's going to last a while

Another important thing to consider is the god you have. Gods with some form of attack/damage steroid (e.g. Artemis, Rama, Xbalanque, Ullr) benefit a bit more from crit items. Gods with no steroid, but have good damage abilities or protection shredding (e.g. Anhur, Neith) work a bit better with the unicorn build, perhaps with a slight deviation (consider Jotunn's Wrath in place of Brawler's Beat Stick or Asi).

There usually isn't a lot of deviation for most hunter builds (at least that I've seen), but why not? Break the meta.


Offensive Items:

Power and penetration, with 25% CDR. Useful for gods (or players) that like to spam their abilities...good for certain ults (like Rama's nuke ult, Astral Barrage). Probably a good choice for Anhur and Neith too, since they're pretty ability-dependent.

I never use this, but this is a different approach to Fatalis. Power and health, plus your basic attacks (which you should be using) will slow the enemy by 30% for 2 seconds...helpful for the entire team to jump on the poor bastard.

If you're confident in your aiming abilities, and your god has a good escape, this might help you stick on a retreating enemy, and the move/attack speed increase doesn't hurt. Only really functional if you don't plan to get Greater Sprint.

Defensive Items:

Situational, alternate mobility to Warrior Tabi if there are 4-5 physical gods (and most are squishy). The physical protection really can help, and the added attack speed synergizes well with hunters.

Situational, can work if there are 4-5 magical gods. Also provides power, so there is that...

Magi's Blessing

Situational, can save your butt if you're facing a lot of enemy CC. Maybe bordering on essential for a god like Artemis who has no true escape.

Situational, useful if there are 4-5 physical enemies. Power and physical protection, with a type of penetration aura for when you're up close and personal. Would assume it would be better in the late game, when you're blasting away.

Note: Since the standard builds are described above, I'll provide a couple of unique situations to show why I'll choose a specific template, and how I might deviate from it.

God & Situation

Build

Comments

Enemy team = 3 warriors, 1 guardian, 1 hunter

Bloodforge Warrior Tabi The Executioner Qin's Sais Deathbringer Runic Shield

Use the Zapacorn template (based on enemy comp, as well as her attack speed steroid benefits crit). With 4 physical enemies, and only 1 magical, I'll consider Void Shield as either item #5 or #6. I've substituted Deathbringer instead of Rage because of Art's passive crit chance bonus.

My team has a healer, enemy team = 3 mages (1 healer), 1 guardian, 1 assassin

Jotunn's Wrath Warrior Tabi Brawler's Beat Stick Qin's Sais Bloodforge Void Shield

Unicorn template, sort of, for ability damage, as well as anti-healing. Neith uses her abilities a lot, so Jotunn's Wrath provides 25% CDR and some penetration to support the Unicorn idea. Assuming the healer is doing their job, as well as the fact I can use Unravel, I'm going to get Jotunn's 1st, and delay lifesteal as long as possible. If I get Brawler's 3rd, I really need to try to maximize my ability use to disrupt healing as much as possible. Void Shield's protection and penetration aura support the Unicorn, while giving some survivability against the 4 magical enemies.

*note* Chronos can fit in this group, if you plan on using Wheel of Time's Section IV (35% magical power contribution to basic attacks) a lot. Just note the slightly different build suggestions for him in particular.


Item #1:

Start with mobility, planning ahead by choosing penetration over Shoes of Focus's CDR. For Chronos, though, consider starting like a traditional mage, with Chronos' Pendant, based on his somewhat long CD on his 2nd and 3rd skills. If you do, play him like a traditional mage until you start getting the basic attack items.

Item #2:

Power, attack speed, and a form of stacking, increasing penetration. By the time you get this, you'll need to hold yourself back from diving in...don't get too cocky! For Chronos' Item #2, get Shoes of the Magi if you got Chronos's Pendant first.

Item #3:

First lifesteal, to help with sustain and teamfighting. If there's an enemy healer, consider Divine Ruin instead. For Chronos' Item #3, if you haven't gotten it yet, get Demonic Grip and switch your playstyle up accordingly.

Item #4:

Huge power boost, which will also feed your lifesteal and help your boxing capability. If there are multiple tanks, consider Obsidian Shard before this.

Item #5:

Additional move speed, huge attack speed increase, and the passive's sticking ability for those basic attacks. Locking this in at 5 now, because once you get the huge power boost from Tahuti, that's when you really want to start sticking on the enemy until they're dead. For Chronos, his Accelerate renders this item unnecessary. Maybe get Obsidian Shard or a protection item instead, depending on enemy composition.

Item #6:

Second lifesteal item, so that you can box with anyone. Also, the passive proc, with all of the magical power you've built, will pack a good punch. As an alternative, if you're facing tankier teams, go for Obsidian Shard if you haven't gotten it by this point, or a protection item.

*note* DO NOT REROLL. If you reroll, your team's healing is likely gone. If you prefer a different god, see if anyone is willing to trade. If not, learn how to heal. You'll need to do so at some point anyway, and there's no better time than now.


If you roll a mage in this category, your best bet for your team to have success is to play the role of healer. This means:



Item #1:

25% CDR to begin means quicker heals. MP5 means less running out of mana. Combine this with Shoes and Meditation before leaving the fountain for the first time. This is before Shoes of Focus because you should be staying back anyway, and shouldn't need the move speed that badly. If there are 4-5 physical enemies, strongly consider Breastplate of Valor instead.

Item #2:

Max your CDR, and gain mobility.

Item #3:

Make your heal as effective as possible, and add to your survivability with additional move speed and health...consider bypassing this if you're Aphrodite, since she's a 1-target healer.

Item #4:

You should have plenty of mana by now that you can fully use your arsenal of abilities. This provides a big increase in power, while also adding to your healing strength.

Item #5:

Huge health increase for survivability. Alternatively, if you're dealing with enemy guardians or other CC, Magi's Blessing might save your bacon.

Item #6:

Power and penetration. Now you are a force in your own right.

*note* This build utilizes a similar build structure and a few items with healers. Most notably, it takes out items like Rod of Asclepius and Ethereal Staff, and substitutes with utility and lifesteal items like Gem of Isolation and Bancroft's Talon.


Item #1:

25% CDR to begin means quicker abilities. MP5 means less running out of mana. Combine this with Meditation and either Shoes or a couple Healing Potion before leaving the fountain for the first time. This is before Shoes of the Magi because you should be staying back anyway, and shouldn't need the move speed that badly. If there are 4-5 physical enemies, strongly consider Breastplate of Valor instead.

Item #2:

Mobility, power, and penetration. Perfect for the nuker.

Item #3:

This is my go-to lifesteal item. There are, of course, alternatives like Polynomicon, Pythagorem's Piece, and Divine Ruin, and they are situational alternatives. Definitely get Divine Ruin if there is an enemy healer.

Item #4:

Now that you can spam abilities, can run, and have sustain, it's time to bring the heat (even if you're not Agni). Tahuti provides the biggest single-item jump to your power.

Item #5:

Big (33%) penetration to maximize damage.

Item #6 is for utility, and doesn't HAVE to be #6. You might buy before Rod of Tahuti if the situation calls for it. Here are some suggestions:


Utility Items:

Give your guardian some CC support. Significant slow on hit. Great for AOE abilities, such as: Chang'e's Crescent Moon Dance --- Eset's Wing Gust Janus's Unstable Vortex --- Kukulkan's Whirlwind Nu Wa's Mysterious Fog --- Zeus's Chain Lightning

Enemy healer? Main reason you'd get this is for anti-healing, and is the magical equivalent to Brawler's Beat Stick in that regard. Keep in mind, these effects don't stack. Also provides a bit of power and a good % of lifesteal. Most effective for gods with AOE or DOT (damage over time) effects, like Chang'e, Nu Wa, Poseidon, Zhong Kui, etc. (thanks to Hrafi for reminding me to put this here!)

Don't use this much, personally. Provides good power and mana. Every 60 seconds, it procs extra damage. The 60 second cooldown for 15% damage (to max health) seems too long, and you shouldn't need the extra 300 mana if your team is doing what they should and buying Salvation. I guess some swear by this, though.

Defensive Items:

Power and physical protection. Good counter item for multiple crit-build assassins/hunters, as it prevents multiple crits in a row.

Magi's Blessing

Pure survivability item. A bit of both physical and magical protection, and a 350 health boost. Mostly, though, it's a counter to CC. Absorbs a hard CC every 45 seconds, and the rest of the time, reduces the effect's time by 40%.

10% CDR, and good magical protection. Good against a heavily magical team and you want to spam that ult.

If team compositions are so unbalanced that you're constantly getting pressured, even on the back lines, I don't know...maybe this would be worthwhile. I don't think I've ever gotten Urchin on a mage, though.

Very situational. If there are 4+ physical enemies, I'd consider this on a god like He Bo that does most of his damage up close, and doesn't have a good escape. Could definitely help with survivability.

Power and magical protection, with a penetration aura. Situational against a heavily magical team, when you're a god like He Bo that gets up close to do the most damage. The penetration aura also helps other magical teammates do more damage.

God & Situation

Build

Comments

Any/all situations

Chronos' Pendant Shoes of the Magi Bancroft's Talon Rod of Tahuti Obsidian Shard Soul Reaver

Standard build for pretty much any situation. Agni has mobility and CC (slows and stuns), so Soul Reaver might be a good choice for a little extra oomph here and there.

Any/all situations

Shoes of the Magi Chronos' Pendant Bancroft's Talon Gem of Isolation Rod of Tahuti Obsidian Shard

Chang'e can heal, but she's NOT a healer. I've spammed heals with max CDR and Rod of Asclepius, and in a 20 minute game, I'm lucky to break 15k. Support your team with heals when applicable, but use her abilities and mobility to your advantage. Get Gem of Isolation even before the Talon to help control the field...those huge sweeps of Crescent Moon Dance mean you can CC multiple enemies at once.

4+ squishies, enemy healer

Shoes of the Magi Demonic Grip Divine Ruin Rod of Tahuti Hastened Fatalis Polynomicon

If there are 1+ tanks, I'd use Obsidian Shard in place of the ring.

4 physical enemies

Breastplate of Valor Shoes of Focus Rod of Asclepius Magi's Blessing Rod of Tahuti Gem of Isolation

Magi's because there's ALWAYS some kind of CC to deal with, Isolation because this is definitely not a damage build and the extra CC you dish out is good for support.

Great protection for both magical and physical damage. Staple of any balanced tank build.

Situational, for when facing multiple enemy ADCs. Physical protection, and give them a taste of their own medicine, just by tanking it like a man-god.

Consider this one when there are 3+ physical enemies. I'm thinking of this item on a god like Odin in particular, as his best damage (the 2 + 1 combo) can absolutely destroy someone, but then leaves him without an escape. If your team is doing really well and getting kills on a regular basis, the passive proc can help with sustain.

No protection, but 400 health is good. Adds a bit of power, and adds a CC (slow) to your basic attack. Very functional for a tank.

If there are enemy healers and 2+ magical enemies, this is a good one to have for its aura of decreased healing.

High magical protection and a bit of power. There are probably better items to get, though.

Lots of health and magical protection. I just never get this one myself.

A bit of power and a lot of health for the bruiser, but listed here for its utility (slow on basic hit).

Purely for damage. Perfect for a bruiser version of Osiris or Vamana. If the enemy has 0-1 tanks, and/or your team is mostly physical, get The Executioner.

Situational. Enemy healers and 2+ tanks? Go for it.

Unitasker item (big penetration). I'd consider this as a last item, if there are 2+ enemy tanks.

Extra power when over 50% health. Extra protections under. I get this often when I'm a bruiser Hercules.

Situational...taking lots of physical damage? Adds protection, adds power, and has an aura of penetration...good if your team also deals lots of physical damage.

Power and lifesteal. This or Asi would be useful for a bruiser Osiris or Vamana.

Power and 15% CDR. Does extra damage on your first basic attack after using an ability. Very functional.

Quick word on Guan Yu: Like Sylvanus, he is unique in his class for his group heals, hence his differing build. Since his recent buff (decreased cooldown for the heal), he can spam heals all day (well, until he runs out of mana, which happens QUICKLY.) If you roll him, you're likely the main healer. Don't screw your team over and build for damage. Instead, get that CDR maxed, ask people to kindly get Salvation early to help your mana, and keep your team alive.

God & Situation

Build

Comments

Tanky Healer, mixed enemies

Breastplate of Valor Hide of the Urchin Reinforced Greaves Hydra's Lament Pestilence Sovereignty

Build order is up for discussion and depends on the situation. Breastplate to start for protection and 25% CDR to keep your team up and running. Hydra's down the line to max CDR. Pest for the enemy healer.

Bruiser, mixed enemies

Stone of Gaia Witchblade Jotunn's Wrath Shifter's Shield Titan's Bane Hydra's Lament

Pretty standard bruiser build. Herc is slow, and his basic attack string is no faster. Don't really worry about attack speed, and go for max CDR and some good penetration instead.

Bruising Tank? 4+ physical enemies, enemy healer

Witchblade Jotunn's Wrath Mail of Renewal Hydra's Lament Brawler's Beat Stick Qin's Sais

Odin's 2-1 combo Raven Shout to Lunge does huge burst damage. Herc is jealous. Initiate with this on a god with no jumps, then use that ult Ring of Spears. The combo of Hydra's and Qin's late game will help you finish any gods still alive. Or maybe try getting Improved Blink instead, and save that jump as an escape option.

Bruiser, 4+ magical enemies

Stone of Gaia Hydra's Lament The Executioner Bloodforge Rage Deathbringer

Early protection, moving into damage. His cooldown on his main ability Sickle Strike is relatively short, so Jotunn's is maybe not necessary...Hydra's will suffice for the CDR, and since he'll be basic attacking, the added damage from the passive works well. His abilities have great CC, to help keep them close to you for a flurry of basic attacks. Somewhat similar to an assassin's build.