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Portal Master - Complete Janus Guide (Update 10.1)

21 4 25,424
8.5
by FinaruKamewamewa updated February 21, 2023

Smite God: Janus

Build Guide Discussion 1 More Guides
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Janus Build

Book of thoth starter

Notes Upgrade Sands of Time into Pendulum of Ages as soon as it is available.

Clear the initial damage, speed, and mana buffs with your jungler and solo laner. Be sure to pop 1 Healing Potion since you will take some damage when clearing. Head to lane and be careful of your match up and the enemy jungler.

If on a bad match up you can stay back in the tower and clear the lane from there. Go into Book of Thoth as quick as possible so you start farming stacks.

Notes

Upgrade Sands of Time into Pendulum of Ages as soon as it is available.

Clear the initial damage, speed, and mana buffs with your jungler and solo laner. Be sure to pop 1 Healing Potion since you will take some damage when clearing. Head to lane and be careful of your match up and the enemy jungler.

If on a bad match up you can stay back in the tower and clear the lane from there. Go into Book of Thoth as quick as possible so you start farming stacks.

Build Item Sands of Time Sands of Time
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
2
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
Build Item Spellbook Spellbook

Chrono's Pendant Starter

Notes This is Chronos' Pendant related build. You should get Gem of Focus in this case. Unlike with the Book starter you have more potions in this build, so you have more sustain.

You can be a little bit more agressive in the lane and pre activate Healing Potion but be careful of the jungler. If it is a god that can pull you or does strong poke like Susano or Thanatos you might be in trouble if you push too much.

Notes

This is Chronos' Pendant related build. You should get Gem of Focus in this case. Unlike with the Book starter you have more potions in this build, so you have more sustain.

You can be a little bit more agressive in the lane and pre activate Healing Potion but be careful of the jungler. If it is a god that can pull you or does strong poke like Susano or Thanatos you might be in trouble if you push too much.

Build Item Conduit Gem Conduit Gem
Build Item Lost Artifact Lost Artifact
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
3
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
2

book and reaver (Standard)

Notes This build is the standard meta build used by many mages in the Mid Lane.

Charon's Coin can be substituted for Obsidian Shard, but I suggest you build Obsidian later. Charon's needs to be built earlier to get its stacks earlier into the game.

Spear of Desolation could be substituted for Divine Ruin if you need some antiheal.

Soul Reaver is a classic for this build since it gives mana and extra damage, you could substitute Perfected Rod of Tahuti for it if you want more penetration and magical power.

Notes

This build is the standard meta build used by many mages in the Mid Lane.

Charon's Coin can be substituted for Obsidian Shard, but I suggest you build Obsidian later. Charon's needs to be built earlier to get its stacks earlier into the game.

Spear of Desolation could be substituted for Divine Ruin if you need some antiheal.

Soul Reaver is a classic for this build since it gives mana and extra damage, you could substitute Perfected Rod of Tahuti for it if you want more penetration and magical power.

Build Item Pendulum of Ages Pendulum of Ages
Build Item Book of Thoth Book of Thoth
Build Item Soul Gem Soul Gem
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Soul Reaver Soul Reaver

Really Fast Cooldown (Great in Arena)

Notes This is an amazing build for arena, and can also work in Conquest fairly well. It sacrifices early penetration for insanely quick Cooldown.

You could substitute Obsidian Shard for Charon's Coin IF you are playing Conquest but I do NOT recommend it for Arena.

Spear of Desolation is a must for this, its passive provides high cooldown. I do NOT recommend to sub it for anything.

If you do NOT need antiheal you could switch Divine Ruin for a more damage oriented item like Rod of Tahuti.

Your objective here is to spam your abilities as much possible, the enemy is usually not ready for Max Cooldown by the 3rd item so you might even catch them off guard.

Notes

This is an amazing build for arena, and can also work in Conquest fairly well. It sacrifices early penetration for insanely quick Cooldown.

You could substitute Obsidian Shard for Charon's Coin IF you are playing Conquest but I do NOT recommend it for Arena.

Spear of Desolation is a must for this, its passive provides high cooldown. I do NOT recommend to sub it for anything.

If you do NOT need antiheal you could switch Divine Ruin for a more damage oriented item like Rod of Tahuti.

Your objective here is to spam your abilities as much possible, the enemy is usually not ready for Max Cooldown by the 3rd item so you might even catch them off guard.

Build Item Gem of Focus Gem of Focus
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Soul Gem Soul Gem
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Obsidian Shard Obsidian Shard
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin

book and Rod (Standard Alternative)

Notes This build is an alternative build order to the standard mage build.

Get Divine Ruin early for the strong passive and anti heal mechanic if needed. Especially if facing an Aphrodite, Anubis, or Hades building lifesteal.

Perfected Rod of Tahuti gives some extra penetration, along with Obsidian Shard. This combination gives pretty high penetration so it should be used if the enemy team is pretty tanky.

You could substitue Perfected Rod of Tahuti for Staff of Myrddin for a little bit more cooldown, or Soul Reaver for some extra true damage.

Notes

This build is an alternative build order to the standard mage build.

Get Divine Ruin early for the strong passive and anti heal mechanic if needed. Especially if facing an Aphrodite, Anubis, or Hades building lifesteal.

Perfected Rod of Tahuti gives some extra penetration, along with Obsidian Shard. This combination gives pretty high penetration so it should be used if the enemy team is pretty tanky.

You could substitue Perfected Rod of Tahuti for Staff of Myrddin for a little bit more cooldown, or Soul Reaver for some extra true damage.

Build Item Pendulum of Ages Pendulum of Ages
Build Item Book of Thoth Book of Thoth
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Obsidian Shard Obsidian Shard
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Very Quick AntiHeal

Notes This is a very quick antiheal build. It also includes a max amount of penetration and decent cooldown but lacks a little bit of damage.

You can trade Spear of the Magus for Spear of Desolation if you want more cooldown. Magus is just pretty team oriented since it gives damage from incoming sources to enemies.

You could also change Charon's Coin for Obsidian Shard, but I do NOT recommend it as much unless you switch Spear of the Magus as well.

You do NOT need Soul Gem here because you already have lifesteal with Magus.

Notes

This is a very quick antiheal build. It also includes a max amount of penetration and decent cooldown but lacks a little bit of damage.

You can trade Spear of the Magus for Spear of Desolation if you want more cooldown. Magus is just pretty team oriented since it gives damage from incoming sources to enemies.

You could also change Charon's Coin for Obsidian Shard, but I do NOT recommend it as much unless you switch Spear of the Magus as well.

You do NOT need Soul Gem here because you already have lifesteal with Magus.

Build Item Gem of Focus Gem of Focus
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Staff of Myrddin Staff of Myrddin
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Spear of the Magus Spear of the Magus

Core Items (Interchangeable)

Notes Book of Thoth is a meta item as of Patch 10.1 and is widely used by many mages for its sheer magical power, mana, and magical penetration boosts. Great Item for many builds.

Soul Gem is interchangeable with Spear of the Magus if you want more penetration and more team focused damage, but Soul Gem is one my personal favorites.

Divine Ruin has decent damage and antiheal. If you do NOT need antiheal you could get Staff of Myrddin or Spear of Desolation depending on what you need.

Chronos' Pendant is a decent Cooldown Reduction item that can be added into a build at the early game. You will need to use Gem of Focus instead of Pendulum of Ages should you opt for that.

Notes

Book of Thoth is a meta item as of Patch 10.1 and is widely used by many mages for its sheer magical power, mana, and magical penetration boosts. Great Item for many builds.

Soul Gem is interchangeable with Spear of the Magus if you want more penetration and more team focused damage, but Soul Gem is one my personal favorites.

Divine Ruin has decent damage and antiheal. If you do NOT need antiheal you could get Staff of Myrddin or Spear of Desolation depending on what you need.

Chronos' Pendant is a decent Cooldown Reduction item that can be added into a build at the early game. You will need to use Gem of Focus instead of Pendulum of Ages should you opt for that.

Build Item Book of Thoth Book of Thoth
Build Item Soul Gem Soul Gem
Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Staff of Myrddin Staff of Myrddin
Build Item Spear of Desolation Spear of Desolation
Build Item Obsidian Shard Obsidian Shard
Build Item Charon's Coin Charon's Coin
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant

Substitute Situational Items

Notes Warlock's Staff is a very situational item, you can switch in it for some stacking item like Book of Thoth. Use this only if you feel you need some extra sustain (either because of matchup or you just want to go off meta a bit).

Spear of the Magus and Perfected Rod of Tahuti are both interchangeable for items like Spear of Desolation. They are damage and penetration oriented items that perform decently.

Tablet of Destinies is mana intensive. To use this item you would need to 100% build Book of Thoth and Soul Reaver. It is a stacking item so build right after Book.

Doom Orb is substitutable for Charon's Coin if you do NOT need as much penetration and want some more raw magical power.

Notes

Warlock's Staff is a very situational item, you can switch in it for some stacking item like Book of Thoth. Use this only if you feel you need some extra sustain (either because of matchup or you just want to go off meta a bit).

Spear of the Magus and Perfected Rod of Tahuti are both interchangeable for items like Spear of Desolation. They are damage and penetration oriented items that perform decently.

Tablet of Destinies is mana intensive. To use this item you would need to 100% build Book of Thoth and Soul Reaver. It is a stacking item so build right after Book.

Doom Orb is substitutable for Charon's Coin if you do NOT need as much penetration and want some more raw magical power.

Build Item Warlock's Staff Warlock's Staff
Build Item Doom Orb Doom Orb
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti
Build Item Tablet of Destinies Tablet of Destinies
Build Item Spear of the Magus Spear of the Magus

Relics

Notes As of Patch 10.1 I am LOVING Horn Shard. If you do NOT like it you could use Claw Shard as an alternative.

For Janus, the only two relics you will ever need are Temporal Beads and Aegis of Acceleration.

If you want to be more aggresive and damage focused you could use Corrupted Blink Rune. This would mainly be used to chase down and kill targets you otherwise could not (offers speed debuff).

Aegis of Judgement is a decent alternative to Aegis of Acceleration if you want some extra damage, but it really is not necessary.

Notes

As of Patch 10.1 I am LOVING Horn Shard. If you do NOT like it you could use Claw Shard as an alternative.

For Janus, the only two relics you will ever need are Temporal Beads and Aegis of Acceleration.

If you want to be more aggresive and damage focused you could use Corrupted Blink Rune. This would mainly be used to chase down and kill targets you otherwise could not (offers speed debuff).

Aegis of Judgement is a decent alternative to Aegis of Acceleration if you want some extra damage, but it really is not necessary.

Build Item Temporal Beads Temporal Beads
Build Item Aegis of Acceleration Aegis of Acceleration
Build Item Aegis of Judgement Aegis of Judgement
Build Item Corrupted Blink Rune Corrupted Blink Rune
Build Item Horn Shard Horn Shard
Build Item Claw Shard Claw Shard

Janus's Skill Order Notes Max out Unstable Vortex as soon as possible. It is effectively your only damaging ability, other than your ultimate Through Space and Time.

After that, start maxing out Threshold, its damage scaling and movement speed increase is significant. Do NOT level Portal until the games makes you do so, it is your movement ability, which you should rarely use aggressively.

Use Through Space and Time to gank the sidelanes whenever optimal and to give your team more mobility. Can also use it to try and steal a Fire Giant or Gold Fury.

Remember that Portal could be used by you teammates as well, so be on the lookout to provide them a chance to escape a bad fight. If need be, tell your allies to come towards you at the start of the match so they are aware of this.

His passive Passages is also important. Try to use Threshold or Portal every now and then so its effect is always ready.

Notes

Max out Unstable Vortex as soon as possible. It is effectively your only damaging ability, other than your ultimate Through Space and Time.

After that, start maxing out Threshold, its damage scaling and movement speed increase is significant. Do NOT level Portal until the games makes you do so, it is your movement ability, which you should rarely use aggressively.

Use Through Space and Time to gank the sidelanes whenever optimal and to give your team more mobility. Can also use it to try and steal a Fire Giant or Gold Fury.

Remember that Portal could be used by you teammates as well, so be on the lookout to provide them a chance to escape a bad fight. If need be, tell your allies to come towards you at the start of the match so they are aware of this.

His passive Passages is also important. Try to use Threshold or Portal every now and then so its effect is always ready.

Portal

1 X Y
Portal
2 15 16 18 19

Unstable Vortex

2 A B
Unstable Vortex
1 3 6 7 10

Threshold

3 B A
Threshold
4 8 11 12 14

Through Space and Time

4 Y X
Through Space and Time
5 9 13 17 20
Portal
2 15 16 18 19

Portal

1 X
Janus creates a portal in the world. If placed on a wall, the portal will create a passage through to the other side of the wall that Janus or any ally may use. The portal may be entered from either side, but closes after 1 use.

If placed on the ground, enemies and Janus will fall into the portal, being teleported into the air above it. Enemies take damage upon landing, and are considered banished during the fall.

Ability Type: Circle, Banish, Damage
Damage: 80 / 130 / 180 / 230 / 280 (+60% of your Magical Power)
Banish Duration: 1.5s
Wall Portal Duration: 5s
Wall Portal Range: 100
Range/Radius: 55/10
Cost: 70
Cooldown: 12s
Unstable Vortex
1 3 6 7 10

Unstable Vortex

2 A
Janus creates two tethered unstable portals, far too small to fit into, and flings them forward dealing damage to enemies in their path. Enemies hit by both portals take 15% damage on the second hit.

Ability Type: Area, Damage
Damage: 110 / 175 / 240 / 305 / 370 (+80% of your Magical Power)
Range: 70
Cost: 70 / 75 / 80 / 85 / 90
Cooldown: 9s
Threshold
4 8 11 12 14

Threshold

3 B
Passive: Janus increases the movement speed of himself and allies each time they go through a portal or over a Threshold (max. 2 Stacks).

Active: Janus opens a multi-dimensional rift. Enemies who pass over the rift are slowed, and marked with Phase. Targets in Phase take additional Magical scaling damage when hit by Janus' damaging abilities.

Ability Type: Line, Buff
Phase Slow: 25%
Additional Scaling: 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60
Rift Duration: 3 / 3.5 / 4 / 4.5 / 5s
Movement Speed: 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 17.5 / 20% per Portal
Passive Duration: 5s
Cost: 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80
Cooldown: 13s
Through Space and Time
5 9 13 17 20

Through Space and Time

4 Y
Passive: Janus gains increased % Magical Penetration.

Active: Janus becomes CC Immune and blasts a ball of multi-dimensional energy across the battlefield, burning a portal into every surface it encounters within range 500. These portals last 10s, may be used by allies, and do not vanish after the first use.

Enemies hit take damage, increasing in Magical scaling the further the energy travels. Enemy gods cannot take more than 75% of their maximum Health as damage.

Ability Type: Line, Damage
Damage: 300 / 375 / 450 / 525 / 600 (+80% of your Magical Power)
Distance Scaling: 100% of your Magical Power at distance greater than 800
% Magical Penetration: 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 17.5 / 20%
Range: Global
Cost: 100
Cooldown: 110s

Janus Threats

Tap each threat level to view Janus’s threats

Max
1
Major
1
Even
1
Minor
1
Tiny
0

Janus Synergies

Tap each synergy level to view Janus’s synergies

Ideal
1
Strong
1
OK
1
Low
1
None
0

Introduction


Hello everyone! My username is FinaruKamewamewa (yes, I know it's a handful). I am a casual Smite player that loves to know everything about builds.

I have a decent amount of experience in the game, and I would love to share my experiences with all of you.

My love for Janus stems from his unique playing style. His Portal mechanic can make him ABSOLUTELY uncatchable, but it can also destroy him if used incorrectly.

This guide assumes you have general knowledge of how conquest lanes work, item purchasing, and other basic content. For additional help in Conquest, see this guide: The Overarching Conquest Guide

This is my first guide, so I hope it's worth your time! These opinions are not for Pro league level play, they are for the general Smite player.

Janus is a god that excels in many aspects, and lacks in others. After reading this guide, you will gain a better understanding of how he works and hopefully learn a thing or two.

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

~ Strong Mobility
~ High Damage Output
~ Global Rotation Capabilites
~ High Team Synergy
~ Great Minion Clear
~ No Dash or Jump
~ Hard to Learn and Master
~ Positioning Dependent
~ Medium Range (except Ultimate)

NOTE: If you like this guide, please consider Upvoting it so others can refer to it.

Skills

Janus needs to stay away from the enemy gods, but he has serious mobility and insane burst damage with his skillset. Here are his skills:


PASSAGES



Passive Ability Video

Skill Description
Any time Janus transitions through a Portal or over a Threshold he becomes aged and wizened, gaining additional Magical scaling on his next ability cast.

NOTES


PORTAL



First Ability Video

Skill Description
Janus creates a portal in the world. If placed on a wall, the portal will create a passage through to the other side of the wall that Janus or any ally may use. The portal may be entered from either side, but closes after 1 use.

If placed on the ground, enemies and Janus will fall into the portal, being teleported into the air above it. Enemies take damage upon landing, and are considered banished during the fall.


NOTES


UNSTABLE VORTEX



Second Ability Video

Skill Description
Janus creates two unstable portals, far too small to fit into, and flings them forward dealing damage to enemies in their path. Enemies hit by both portals take 15% damage on the second hit.

NOTES


THRESHOLD



Third Ability Ability Video

Skill Description
Passive: Janus increases the movement speed of himself and allies each time they go through a portal or over a Threshold (max. 2 Stacks).

Active: Janus opens a multi-dimensional rift. Enemies who pass over the rift are slowed, and marked with Phase. Targets in Phase take additional Magical scaling damage when hit by Janus' damaging abilities.


NOTES


THROUGH SPACE AND TIME



Ultimate Ability Video

Skill Description
Janus blasts a ball of multi-dimensional energy across the battlefield, burning a portal into every surface it encounters within range 500. These portals last 10s, may be used by allies, and do not vanish after the first use.

Enemies hit by the energy ball take damage, increasing in Magical scaling the further the energy travels. Enemy Gods cannot take more than 75% of their maximum Health as damage. Janus is immune to Crowd Control whilst firing.


NOTES

Combos & Gameplay Tips

Unlike many gods, Janus has only 1 main source of damage (that being Unstable Vortex). This means all his combos revolve around this ability, and just amping up his magical power.

BASIC

ULT TO VORTEX

VORTEX INTO THRESHOLD INTO VORTEX

THRESHOLD INTO ULT INTO VORTEX

ULT INTO PORTAL

Remember: I do not recommend using Portal aggressively, as it limits your options of escape. Situationally however, it can be good, especially to get a kill.

Note: These combos are not the only ones there are. Start mix and matching abilities with each other and you will surely be able to find some new ones.


Match-ups

Janus is a decent god, not the best but far from the worst. His unique playstyle makes him hard to play against yet difficult to master.
Note: This is my HUMBLE opinion, please do not flame me too hard.



You usually have an advantage over these gods. They are weak in the current meta, have less range than you do, or their skills are just countered by yours. If you keep your distance and maintain control of the lane without getting ganked, you should WIN as Janus in these match-ups. Be aggressive yet CAREFUL of the jungler.



These gods are on equal ground with Janus. Their skills are usually on par with yours and have an equal range of abilities. Their abilities do the same overall damage as yours, and their overall performance will match yours. You can play equally, and the game will depend on your side lanes and junglers.



These gods have a slight advantage over you and will be difficult to defeat if both of you have the same skill level. It is hard for you to get ahead without a couple of mess ups on their part or from your jungler or support to help you dominate the lane. Play back and wait for back-up.



These gods are simply very good in the current meta, and you WILL have a very difficult time defeating them. Your jungler will be your main aid in getting you ahead; be sure to allow your jungler to feed himself a lot.


From the Author & Credits


I am pretty new at this, so any suggestions you have for my build or changes I will definitely take into consideration. Please be honest and comment on how good or bad this guide was, so I can make better ones in the future. I love to do guides, and I get a bit trigger-happy with the graphics and colors, just messing around with the code!

Comment if the format of lines and position looks good to you! Please do tell me if you would like more full guides like this or just builds, and what gods you want a guide for. THANKS!

If you care to know, this is the link to my profile: Finaru




Note: I will keep updating as I make more guides and builds.

SPECIAL THANKS AND CREDITS

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1
YasmineReyes | April 9, 2023 6:04pm
thank you for build cuz i did my first penta with it in my 9 years of playing the game as support often ❤️
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League of Legends Build Guide Author FinaruKamewamewa
Portal Master - Complete Janus Guide (Update 10.1)
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