Mess with the Demon, You Get the Fat Man

Zhong Kui was one of those gods that took me a while to experiment with and get down. The build I came up with now didn't actually take too long to come up with, but it did take a while to perfect. Zhong Kui is really more of a front line mage than a back. With this build, he can take a few hits and deal out some really good damage. Late game, you can really keep the enemy pushed back or have them running scared.

This build really clicks and works awesome for me and I hope it does for you too. So without further ado, allow me to explain the method to my madness.

Pros

+ High Survivability + Excellent Lane Clear + Solid Damage + Excellent Pressure + Great Support Character

Cons

+ Tends to get Focused + Low Mobility

Demon Bag(Passive)
Gains 2 protections for each demon captured and protections are doubled when recall demons is activated
Zhong Kui's passive ability is really what makes him what he is. It's what allows him to take so much damage, and combined with this build, he becomes an incredible sponge.

Expose Evil(1st)
All enemies in front of you become marked that slows and damages over 5 seconds.
This ability is good, but not the best until later. This will be your main lane clear and ability stacker combined with your second ability throughout the whole game. Though it is a small ability, it's rather powerful. Catch fleeing enemies and lengthen your 3rd ability.
Exorcism(2nd)
Damage is dealt to all enemies in a cone in front of him. If marked, a stack is added to his passive and heals him per stack captured.
This will be not only your main damaging ability, but also your main stacking abaility when combined with your 1st. There are quite a few ways you can use this ability i a fight, but be sure to use it wisely.
Book of Demons(3rd)
Damages and slows enemies. Marked enemies are stunned for twice as long. When not on cooldown, it fires on basic attack for half damage.
Great ability. Can end fights, start fights, and is your only real escape option. It's kind of like a second passive as well. The damage is not too shaby either. A powerful ability when it comes to team fights. Like your 2nd ability, use it wisely.
Recall Demons(Ultimate)
Demons pulse out for 5 seconds dealing damage to all around you. You are immune to knockback and slows and all passive stacks are consumed and protections from are doubled.
Again, know when to use it. Can really change the tide of a late game match. This ability can allow your team to really push forward and have the enemy running scared. If you work with your team, a deicide can possibly be secured every time. I highly recommend you always have maximum passive stacks before using this.

Warlock's SashWarlock's Sash
This is a very good and very easy item on Zhong Kui. With the way he builds stacks with his passive, you will have no trouble getting max stacks quickly. The majority of matches, you can get max stacks by later mid game if you're consistent. A very important item to have.

Shoes of the Magi
Pretty straight forward. The penetration is nice to have. Not really much to say.
Obsidian Shard
Again, another easy item. Power and penetration. Once you get this item, you can finally start to get some solid damage.
Hide of the Urchin
This is a very powerful item to have on Zhong Kui. Your protections are already strong, but this item is really what makes him a sponge. Once you have this, you can finally start playing more near the front lines.
Polynomicon
AKA, "Party time." Such a good combo tool and a good tool to have in general. The passive is what you'll mainly be going after here. Though the lifesteal and mana is a nice bonus. Not a requirement but a nice item to have
Rod of Tahuti
Simply a must have item on any mage. And on Zhong Kui, now is when you can start really putting the hurt on the enemy.

Souls Reaver
If you just want some straight up damage earlier, a very nice item to take. Soul Reaver can really bring the pain when in comes to abilities, and on Zhong Kui, it can be crucial in certain situations.

Chronos' Pendant
A pretty solid item on any mage. I don't really recommend it, but it can do well for you in this build depending on how you play.
Book of Thoth
If you want to bring more hurt than take a lot of hurt, replace this with your warlock's sash. Is an excellent item if you want to play more of a back line mage more than a front one. A pretty solid item to have on Zhong Kui
Gem of Gem of Isolation
I solid item especially when paired with his ultimate and makes him a little more tanky, if you'd like. Plus if you usually use curse strictly when using his ultimate, this will free up an extra relic slot.

Ethereal Ethereal Staff
Pretty good if you just want raw damage on top of being more tanky. I won't build it often, but it has it's uses.

CurseCurse
Pretty simple item. Zhong Kui doesn't have a great escape, so with this, keep your pursuers behind you or slow them all down when you use your ultimate.

SprintSprint
Same but opposite of curse. Outrun your enemy, or chase them down with your ultimate to keep any from getting away.
SanctuarySanctuary
Not necessary, but it has its uses. There have been those few times that it has really saved my life.
PurificationPurification
Being that Zhong Kui doesn't have a solid escape, it's not a good idea to let anything or anyone slow you down.

Zhong Kui is the definition of a sponge in Smite.He can be played as a front or back line mage depending on how you build him. With this build specifically, you will be the biggest target and biggest threat on the battlefield. Zhong Kui is not one to be underestimated. In general, he is a really solid and balanced character. The rushdown potential he possesses is incredible and can really turn the tide of a match depending on how and when you use his abilities. A patient and powerful god.

As always, please feel free to rate, comment, and give me any feedback. Cheers, mates!