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In My Stilettos: Athena Support Guide (S6)

3 1 55,186
by IceColdPappsi updated April 7, 2019

Smite God: Athena

Build Guide Discussion 56 More Guides
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Athena Build

Start

Build Item Guardian's Blessing Guardian's Blessing
Build Item Shoes Shoes
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
3
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
3

Boots (Choose 1)

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Reinforced Shoes Reinforced Shoes
Build Item Traveler's Shoes Traveler's Shoes

Physical Defense (Take as needed)

Build Item Sovereignty Sovereignty
Build Item Mystical Mail Mystical Mail
Build Item Celestial Legion Helm Celestial Legion Helm
Build Item Hide of the Nemean Lion Hide of the Nemean Lion
Build Item Emperor's Armor Emperor's Armor
Build Item Breastplate of Valor Breastplate of Valor
Build Item Midgardian Mail Midgardian Mail

Magical Defense (Take as needed)

Build Item Heartward Amulet Heartward Amulet
Build Item Shogun's Kusari Shogun's Kusari
Build Item Void Stone Void Stone
Build Item Pestilence Pestilence
Build Item Oni Hunter's Garb Oni Hunter's Garb

Hybrid (Leaves Room for More Damage)

Build Item Gauntlet of Thebes Gauntlet of Thebes
Build Item Hide of the Urchin Hide of the Urchin
Build Item Magi's Cloak Magi's Cloak
Build Item Stone of Binding Stone of Binding
Build Item Mantle of Discord Mantle of Discord

Damage (Optional/When Ahead)

Build Item Divine Ruin Divine Ruin
Build Item Polynomicon Polynomicon
Build Item Chronos' Pendant Chronos' Pendant

Utility (Niche picks)

Build Item Winged Blade Winged Blade
Build Item Relic Dagger Relic Dagger
Build Item Witchblade Witchblade

Relics (Choose Two)

Build Item Belt of Frenzy Belt of Frenzy
Build Item Blink Rune Blink Rune
Build Item Heavenly Wings Heavenly Wings
Build Item Horrific Emblem Horrific Emblem
Build Item Magic Shell Magic Shell
Build Item Phantom Veil Phantom Veil
Build Item Cloak of Meditation Cloak of Meditation
Build Item Shield of Thorns Shield of Thorns

Example Build vs Standard Comp

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Sovereignty Sovereignty
Build Item Heartward Amulet Heartward Amulet
Build Item Breastplate of Valor Breastplate of Valor
Build Item Void Stone Void Stone
Build Item Midgardian Mail Midgardian Mail
Build Item Magic Shell Magic Shell
Build Item Belt of Frenzy Belt of Frenzy

Personal Build

Build Item Shoes of Focus Shoes of Focus
Build Item Sovereignty Sovereignty
Build Item Pestilence Pestilence
Build Item Breastplate of Valor Breastplate of Valor
Build Item Oni Hunter's Garb Oni Hunter's Garb
Build Item Midgardian Mail Midgardian Mail
Build Item Heavenly Wings Heavenly Wings
Build Item Blink Rune Blink Rune

Athena's Skill Order

Preemptive Strike

1 X Y
Preemptive Strike
3 13 14 15 16

Confound

2 A B
Confound
2 8 10 11 12

Shield Wall

3 B A
Shield Wall
1 4 6 7 9

Defender of Olympus

4 Y X
Defender of Olympus
5 17 18 19 20
Preemptive Strike
3 13 14 15 16

Preemptive Strike

1 X
Athena powers up for a dash. While dashing, Athena will pass through minions, stop and hit the first enemy god she encounters, dealing damage. If she hits an enemy, Athena gains a stack (max 3), reducing the next source of Basic Attack damage from any god that hits her. Athena may also gain these stacks by hitting an enemy god with Reach, once per attack.

Ability Type: Dash, Slow, Damage
Damage: 80 / 130 / 180 / 230 / 280 (+50% of your Magical Power)
Range: 55
Cost: 60 / 70 / 80 / 90 / 100
Cooldown: 14s
Confound
2 8 10 11 12

Confound

2 A
Athena releases a shockwave of power from her shield, Taunting enemy gods and decreasing their Attack Speed as she forces them to fight or chase her.

Ability Type: Cone, Taunt, Damage
Taunt Duration: 1 / 1.25 / 1.5 / 1.75 / 2s
Damage: 40 / 65 / 90 / 115 / 140 (+20% of your Magical Power)
Attack Speed Slow: 20 / 22.5 / 25 / 27.5 / 30%
Cost: 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80
Cooldown: 18s
Shield Wall
1 4 6 7 9

Shield Wall

3 B
Athena summons a group of Athenian warriors who do damage and Slow upon arrival. After 2s, they strike again, dealing additional Damage and Slowing.

Ability Type: Circle, Damage
Initial Damage: 70 / 110 / 150 / 190 / 230 (+50% of your Magical Power)
Secondary Damage: 70 / 135 / 200 / 265 / 330 (+50% of your Magical Power)
Slow: 15%
Radius: 15
Cost: 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80
Cooldown: 14s
Defender of Olympus
5 17 18 19 20

Defender of Olympus

4 Y
Athena picks a single allied god anywhere in the world, and launches herself up into the air, landing next to that god 3.6 seconds later. During that 3.6 seconds, both Athena and the allied god gain Damage Mitigation, and the allied god also gains Movement Speed. Enemies nearby when Athena lands take damage.

Ability Type: Teleport, Buff, Damage
Damage: 340 / 415 / 490 / 565 / 640 (+90% of your Magical Power)
Ally Mitigation: 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 17.5 / 20%
Movement Speed: 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 17.5 / 20%
Radius: 20
Cost: 80 / 90 / 100 / 110 / 120
Cooldown: 120s

Preparations

“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory, tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.”
Sun Tsu, Ancient Chinese Military strategist

Many are the stories about legendary warriors. Achilles the invincible Greek soldier. Richard the Lion-heart the Crusading king. Genghis Khan the ruthless Khan-queror.
Just as bountiful are tales of the most intelligent leaders. Hannibal Barca the defeater of the Roman Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte the famous Frenchman. Alexander the Great the undefeated Great.
But today, talks of the greatest strategist, a deity in devising plans. I am IceColdPappsi, and in this resurrection guide, I will teach you how to win with cunning, with wits, with... Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom.


Prepare your plans!



Tactics

In SMITE, Athena is a Guardian, a protective beast on the battlefield. Her purpose is to walk up, apply CC, and protect her teammates. Her team composition flexibility really helps her be the glue to any team. Also, all it takes for Athena is the perfect chance. A misstep, an accidental basic attack, and she can turn a team fight around.

Pros:
~Natural tankiness~
~Great initiation~
~One SUPER HARD CC~
~Potent damage and clear~
~Great map presence~
Cons:

~Uses dash as engage~
~Hit or Miss Hard CC~
~Long Charge Up for Ult~
~Noticeable dash~

Now time to go over her kit. When I say Athena is versatile. And the ultimate, mwah, perfecto.

Reach
After every ability, your spear will glow and become an actual spear, as the next basic attack you fire will be ranged and do your auto attack damage, along with 15% of your magical power.
This is a good clear assist, for those pesky archers in the back that always kill you when you're in the red and your enemy is under tower VEL spamming (nah, not mad). It also helps get in some extra little damage for when you start to fight, and can actually kill someone if lucky enough.
Preemptive Strike
Ability Overview
This is a dash. She passes through all minions, and stops at the first enemy god hit. The hit also slows for a maximum of 25% for 2.25 seconds.
Leveling
This is a great engage and disengage. It can start a teamfight, slow a pursuing assassin on your ADC, or get you with an Not-Even-Close amount of health. Early game, it can get you out of nasty situations, or get that little damage and CC you need. Also, the cooldown does reduce as you level it, so it is a great choice in terms of leveling, but falls off late game, so it will be finished before your ult.
Important to Know
This ability also stacks blocks every time you use it, nullifying up to three basic attacks. Your shield glows up as a cool visual effect of this. Additionally, you can use this as a clear tool. If you hit the wave, you can stack the block and get ahead in farm.
Confound
Ability Overview
This ability is everything. It is a wide coned taunt, and makes all affected basic attack you for a maximum of 2 seconds.
Leveling
Again, literally everything. Because this doesn't do any damage, but can lead to a lot of damage done, this will be your second priority. Depending on how aggressive you are, you can trade leveling this either at level 2 or 3, but you will want to finish it before your 1.
Important to Know
Two seconds on paper, is nothing. But in game, that is two whole seconds where the enemy can do nothing but just chase and auto attack you. Auto attacks have an innate movement penalty, so it is also technically a slow on them. Two whole seconds where all they can do is take damage, from every imaginable source your teammates have.
Shield Wall
Ability Overview
This is a small circle of summoned soldiers that deal damage when they pop in, and then once more when they leave.
Leveling
This is your main clear. Therefore, it will be first, and can provide some much needed farm.
Important to Know
When using it to clear, popping it on the archers will reduce the damage of the minions, but putting it on the brutes will reduce the push of the wave. It gives you a choice of how to deal with the minions. It is a note that the brutes have more health, but the archers do more damage. This is also effective in the jungle, as you will have the creeps around you, you can tag them twice easily, and clear by yourself early on.
Also, you can combine this with your taunt so that while your enemies are attracted by your big assets you can deal some damage to them, twice if your positioning is great.
Defender of Olympus
Ability Overview
This is one of the about six (?) global ultimates. You choose any of your teammates,
and you charge up a giant leap for 4.2 seconds, and then teleport to them. During that charging time, your selected teammate gets a 20% damage taken mitigation.

Leveling
This is an ultimate. Just level it how you see fit. It is important to note that the cooldown does reduce as you level it more.
Important to Know
No really, this is what I meant by map presence. At any moment, you can go to any of your teammates and start a team fight. You can hop from fight to fight. The smartest strat is to save a teammate with it in the middle of a fight by ulting onto them, so they take less damage, and taunt as soon as you land. This serves as protection and repositioning.
Note, do remember that in a fast paced game like SMITE, 4.2 seconds is a long time to charge up. If the designated person does die while you are winding up, the ability will go on Cookson and you will jump up and down like an idiot. Also, assess situations deeply before deciding, because you could potentially put yourself in danger instead.

Weaponry

As stated before, Athena is a very versatile guardian, being able to make use of a lot of items. This chapter will focus on each individual item, and how you can utilize it.

Guardian's Blessing

This item is the equivalent to the last two season's Watcher's Gift, just without the experience bonuses. Along with the reduced shared xp of this season, and supports are having a bad time. However, that isn't to say that this item is bad. The complete opposite. Giving 7 health and mana on each assist of a minion, along with increasing the amount of idle gold/gold per every 5 seconds you get, this item makes supports stay relevant throughout the game.

Boots

Now is the hardest part of the build, made easy depending on your playstyle: Which boots do I buy? Each one compliments a different Athena, so picking one may default you to that specific persona.
  • Shoes of Focus is for the passive-aggressive type. It gives you power, mana, and cooldown reduction, allowing you to fire off abilities more, but isn't really meant for attacks. The cooldown can help with clear and with rotations, due to your dash and ultimate having high cooldowns. It can also help with ganks, since Confound doesn't reduce in cooldown as you level it. Buy if you like more opportunities opened up for you/are indecisive.
  • Reinforced Shoes is for the persistent fighter. Less aggressive and more counterattacking. Giving protections for taking damage, you wait for your opponent to make a move, proccing the passive, and letting you get more bang for your buck from your taunt, as the enemies are already close to you. It's also a risky tossup, as you have to take damage willingly, which is never good. Buy if you like to be a tanky nuisance.
  • Traveler's Shoes is for the everyman. With this, you can really be a mapwide presence. Move out of base faster, along with the highest movement speed at 25%, and rotations will be a breeze. You can also get out of fights quicker, chase down enemies, gank quicker. But then again, all it provides is speed, its up to you to make use of it. Buy if you want to help wherever, whenever.

Relics
Meditation Cloak

The good thing about Relics is that you're not limited to how you want to use them. You can choose two, and have completely different uses for them than intended. But then, what are their intended uses? What do they even do? Keep reading.
  • First up in the list is Belt of Frenzy. This gives everyone around you 10% extra damage to everything and 15% extra attack speed for 5 seconds. Upgrade it for 500 gold, and they also get 10 flat penetration, and a longer duration of 8 seconds. This is the objective destroyer. Meant for game-changing teamfights or objective pushes. Either way, it can turn a game around, with just brute strength.
  • We're talking about some real initiation here. Blink Rune lets you literally teleport in front of yourself, allowing for a surprising and rewarding 3-5 man Confound taunt. Even better if you up it a notch for that 10% damage reduction on all people hit 2 seconds after Blinking. I mean, even the pros can wow the audience with this relic. Meant for the impatient Athena, or the smartest one that knows winning this fight can win the game.
  • Skrr Skrr, gotta go fast. Popping Heavenly Wings gives everyone 30% additional movement speed, and an immunity to slows. If you've got some LMB-holders in your squad, the upgrade will give them an immunity to basic attack movement penalty for the duration, 5 seconds. It's not uncommon for a fight to go to the fan, and you need to get out of there fast. Then this is for you.
  • Horrific Emblem surely looks and works horrifically. Slow every enemy's movement and attack speed by 40% and 25% respectively. Furthermore, 500 gold will decrease the damage that affected enemies do by 20%. If you are often in the middle of everything, popping this can make quick work of your slowed foes.
  • Magic Shell gives you the opportunity to give your shield to your teammates. A shield with a maximum health of 340 health at level 20, to be exact. Upgrade it, and the next two basic attacks that connect to you won't do any damage. While it has a short duration of 3 seconds, those precious life points can save someone from getting clapped.
  • Getting close to the end of the list, up next is a very niche relic, up until this season. Phantom Veil still retains the ability to let all allies pass through both players and all player made objects for 5 seconds. Additionally, make it better for 500 gold and you double the duration, and add a 15% damage mitigation to everyone affected. Usually you would get this when facing an Odin, but with the new upgrade, you can turn a fight around if the other team does less damage to you.
  • Alright so, you know how you need to regenerate health AND mana? And then there's Meditation Cloak, that gives you a maximum of 315 health, as well as giving you 30% of your mana back. The upgrade is great, reducing your mana costs by 30% and all your cooldowns by a quick second. This is for either a second teamfight, where some people have died and both sides are set on complete desolation, or in the middle of a current one, where your team is severely overwhelmed. Pop it, and get back in the fight, soldier.
  • Last in the list is a relic with great synergy with your Confound. Popping Shield of Thorns reflects half of all damage back to the owner. This can and definitely will kill bloodthirsty enemies. A cool five, and enemies will heal less from hurting you, simply known as lifesteal. When in the thick of things, like in the middle of a stun, this can make people actually back away from you for 5 seconds.

Physical Protection Items

Physical Defense


Magical Protection Items

Magical Defense

Hybrid Defense Items

Hybrid Defense Items

Magical Damage Items

Magical Damage

Utility Items

Utility

During Battle

One last time, Athena is a Support. What does a Support do? To start, you will help the team to victory. More specifically, you will stay in the front, taking damage a lot and possibly feeding dying towards a bigger cause. Down below will be lists of what you will be doing.

Early Game

  1. In the early stages of war, it's all about feeling out the enemy and getting your own team stronger. You will be entering the fray with a hunter/other carry as your partner in the longest lane of the map, the Duo Lane.
    • It is essential to farm out minions and jungle camps for experience. This would mean you attack the wave, line of minions, until all of the enemy ones die, and then move on to the jungle and attack either the purple monsters for more pressure coming from you, or the red monsters for more damage coming from your Attack Damage Carry, further referred to as ADC or carry.
    • As a clarification, the purple buff is to be given to you, and will decrease the physical protections of enemy gods around you by 10. The red buff is to be given either to your carry or to the mid laner mage or other if they are present at the time of clearing the jungle creeps.
    • You can come about this in two ways. You can alternate the minion wave and jungle creeps as to efficiently get experience over a decent amount of time, or you can do one wave, do both buffs as they are called, and go back to lane. This supplies a quick leverage on your enemies, and is more risky, so use this tactic if ahead in lane.
    • You also have the option to go into the Gold Fury's pit and attack the Oracles. They have the highest early game xp in the jungle, and provide vision for the whole pit, which can be crucial for predicting early enemy ganks.
  2. You will also be warding if you find the time to go to base and spend either 50 gold or 300. The 50 gold ones will give you one ward, which can provide vision for a part of jungle. The 300 alternate, Chalice of the Oracle, gives you two wards, and refreshes whenever you go to base. This is the better buy, but early game is expensive. If ahead, its a great buy that transitions into mid game. If behind, a great investment to stop ganks and make more call.

Mid Game

  1. This part of the game is when you bring your team into your equation. You will start rotating to to other lanes and applying pressure, and with you having noticeable levels, you can start to be a global presence.
    • To rotate means to use the jungle to travel to adjacent lanes, but since your Athena, you have the luxurious travel of Defender of Olympus. Through this, you can gank or start an objective. You can also ward other parts of the map. By this time, you should have Chalice of the Oracle, as it basically gives free wards until you sell it.
    • Do not forget about your primary goal of starting fights and winning the game. If you see a gang up on one side of the map, it could be helpful for you to sneak up and taunt, changing the enemy's focus and letting you win or save a teammate, depending on the situation.
  2. While in the jungle, you can also start some sneaky objectives. The Gold Fury doesn't take long, but takes long enough for enemies to be able to hear some abilities being activated in the jungle, so be careful. If you do catch the enemies trying to finesse some finances, call out to your team, ward if you have one to provide vision to your mates, and then initiate the steal. This is when you claim the reward for yourself by killing the monster before/while the enemies are. Also, while they are concentrated on killing it sneakily, get a taunt off and force a team fight. The enemy will likely have their forces weakened, resulting in an easy win and secure of the Gold Fury.
  3. Lastly, this part of the game, you should start looking towards structures. At least one tower. The pathway to getting these objective kills is through getting kills. Pressure teamfights or one-sided gangups on any lane of the map. Even in the jungle, if you catch a half health jungler near the mid harpies, best believe shes gonna be no health in a few seconds. Even one kill can lead to a tower, because the enemy team will be afraid to fight back when at a numbers disadvantage.


End Game

  1. Time to win. Farming and landing are a thing of the past. Now, it's warding, jungling, and ganking. Through those ganks, you can really push some lanes and get a leverage on your foes. Remember, one or two deaths means one or two towers. Some lanes can even have just a Phoenix. To deal with these, either win a major teamfight in that corresponding lane, or start a team fight in one lane, and have either your jungles or your adc split push.
  2. Another thing you should have your eyes on is the Fire Giant. This Goliath gives your team health and mana regeneration, and more damage towards structures. To pair with this is the Pyromancer right across, who gives extra movement speed when leaving base. Combine em, and you have a quick kill, a quick return to base, and a quick convergence on the enemy base as you decimate through their feeble forces.
    • Because of the Fire Giant's importance, it is equally important to have constant vision on it. By this time, regular wards will have lesser use if the whole map is covered in them due to your due diligence. Therefore, Chalice of the Oracle is up to you to keep, but Sentry Wards are a must, as they also deny your enemies that same sought after vision. Putting one in the Fire Giant's pit can make sure you can see your enemies, but they can't see you.

Know Thy Enemy

We have covered Athena extensively and how to use her. You are ready to fight. But then, who will you be fighting? Which gods in this game can conquer the mighty strategist at her own game? This section will answer such questions by highlighting who will stop you in your tracks, and how to push past those obstacles, as well gods who are weak compared to your intelligence.
As a note, the gods will be sorted in alphabetical order. Also, easy means that you counter them, medium is evenly matched, and hard is a counter towards you.
And as always, you are own worst enemy.


ARES
Hard
Ares and Athena, while related, are completely different. With his ruthless atitude towards battle, he wins this matchup.
Your clear is stronger than his, despite the recent buffs to Shackles. On that note, his Shackles can cripple you, taking away your engage.
Your taunt can get him out of his Searing Flesh.
His Bolster Defenses, however, kinda counters you, as in it gives protection and CC reduction for a duration, meaning that enemies will get out of your Confound easier.
Lastly, his ultimate counters your ultimate. He can wait until your Defender of Olympus is almost done charging up, and then pull you back all the way to the other side of the map where he still is, putting you not only away from your own team, but in the midst of his, likely killing you.
Both of you are great initiators, and stay for the thick of the fight. In the end, it comes down to the rest of the teams' compositions, and how well they work with their given protector. By yourself though, you will be found kneeling in his presence.

ARTIO
Hard
This goddess has been un-BEAR-able since her release. This means that even the strongest intellect can not beat nature and it's most protective animal.
Artio mainly has two sustains, Energy Surge and Life Tap. In a team fight, these can prove troublesome, as you'll have a harder time downing her and her team. If hit all 5 times by Life Tap, you will be rooted, which can leave you vulnerable to more CC.
Her dash in bear form, Heavy Charge, lasts way too long and can create a huge gap between her and you. Confound can cancel this completely, making her mercy to your allies.
Her hardest counter to you are both Entangling Vines and Ferocious Roar. The first is an area wide cripple that will not only cancel your dash, but also decreases your power, along as your protections when factoring her passive. The second is a huge stun that increases Artio's protections, making her even harder to kill.

BACCHUS
Easy
Silly drunkards are the literal opposites of scholars, and thus will be conquered mentally.
Gotta hand it him though, Bacchus has one of the greatest initiations in the game.His jump, Belly Flop, has a knock-up AND a slow, meaning that he can setup for a lot of things. Especially his own ultimate, Intoxicate, can disable your teammates for a good 6 seconds.
The easy part of countering him though, is that his initiation is his escape. After he jumps, taunt him to delay his ultimate activation.
Belch of the Gods is his 3, with built in antiheal and a stun. This would be not necessarily a counter, but a nuisance, and is actually very avoidable, because the stun is on the last hit of the ability.
Stupid decisions are usually made when under the influence, and this matchup is no exception.

CABRAKAN
Hard
Oh mang has this one always been cancer. And against Athena, the statements is as mountainous as ever.
His first ability is a one person stun. Seismic Crush lets him speed up towards that juicy booty and DEEPLY PENETRATES IT with high damage and a stun. This is his initiation tool, and usually used for ganking.
His two, Refraction Shield, not only gives him protections for taking damage -
which, paired up with his passive, lets him take less damage naturally - but stuns in a small cone. This comes out almost instantly, so you are feared to touch him and get close to him.
His third CC, Tremors, pulls you closer to him while also making your movement uncontrollable. This is for when he's in the middle of a fight and setting up for an even bigger ultimate from his teammates.
Lastly, the piece de resistance, Tectonic Shift traps you in a semi-circle of walls, with the only escape being towards him and his team. All in all, you're gonna lose.

CERBERUS
Medium
The newest god in the game, protector of the Underworld. He won't be sending you there anytime soon.
His hardest CC, a stun on Paralyzing Spit, is very hard to actually hit, because it is a slim cone, and has to be perfectly spaced. Therefore, it's a tossup as to whether this will affect you greatly in a very fast fight where not everyone has time to space themselves for a stun.
Of course, Confound can take him out of his main clear ability, Ghastly Breath. Not only this, but you have better clear than him with Shield Wall not being a tick ability.
Like Bacchus, his escape is short distance away, and is mainly used as initiation for his Stygian Torment. This is a great ultimate that brings the enemies directly to the allies behind him, and has the potential to tag a whole team. The counter to this then, would be to redirect the team's attention once you're brought to them with a 4-5 man Confound, which can get your team two seconds of solid damage.
Cerberus is less of a counter to Athena, and more counters whole teams, with passive antiheal, and actual heal stealing, and high sustainability. But you'll make short work of him.

FAFNIR
Medium
Greedy little dragon, you cannot steal intellect. An even macthup, due to the differences in strength.
Fafnir and Athena are equal when it comes to farm. His can hit the whole wave and won't kill, while yours will almost kill the archers.
You have great initiation and a easy to land hard CC, he has a skillshot stun and in dragon form, a jumping stun/disarm.
One major difference is that he has a buff that he can give to his team, which can sway some fights. An attack speed isn't scary by itself, it's about who he gives it to. If they are under your tower and he pops the dragon version, that tower is gone. Therefore, while he can't start a teamfight effectively, he can definetely gain more from one than you.

GANESHA
Hard
Let's discuss the virtuous elephant in the room who challenges you in all aspects.
Ganesha is definitely the God of Success, because he can do anything and still support successfully. His main clear hits in a line, and gives his companion adc, or any other allies around him, a maximum of 10% extra damage done. In a fight, that much extra damage can mean hundreds of long term damage.
He also has a potent silence, on par with Nox's, but omni-directional, and it also gives his teammates protections for silencing. If you try to walk up to the team and taunt, you won't be able to do it, and the enemies will be prepared for the next attack.
His dash, Remove Obstacles, stuns and knocks up, keeping you in place for a quick second of pummeling. It's a great move to stop you in your tracks.
Now, usually in a team fight, the groups are bunched up together, waiting for someone to make the first move. Dharmic Pillars exploits this like-mindedness by not only damaging you on the edges of its area, but slowing you once being damaged, and reducing your protections so that you take more damage. It also serves a purpose of securing an area, saying that if you want access, you better be ready to take some serious damage.


GEB
Medium
While on paper it seems tilted towards you, it's not that set in stone.
Geb has always been a staple Guardian, because he literally shields you, and he's also one of the oldest for sure. His main initiation, just like him, takes a long time to be potent in the game. He has to already been rolling for about 3 seconds to become CC immune, so a quick taunt and that's it.
The reason Geb is picked is because of that shield I mentioned. It gives a maximum of 650(!) health, and cleanses any CC the target has once applied. This is a life-saver. Being cleansed of CC+a life shield, and you're back in the fight for a maximum of five seconds, or can now get to base and come back with full health.
The ultimate, Cataclysm, is a classic AoE stun around himself. Because he will be in the center of everything, this is a great one for starting a teamfight, or setting up for a slew of other ultimates.
The medium part of the matchup comes from the better clear than him, and the better initation, as you don't have to be in the middle to apply CC.

JORMUNGANDR
Medium
The newest guardian added, but the goddess of intellect already has contingency plans to deal with him.
His clear is just ridiculous. Venomous Haze deals damage in an area, and slows, so be mindful of them. They can also be used to empower his Consuming Bellow, which trembles enemies in the same fashion that Tremors does.
On the terms of CC, he also has two minor knockups in Submerge and his Ultimate The World Serpent, which is the closest he can have to your global Defender of Olympus.
In a teamfight however, one good Confound, and as he is very immobile, you can put this World Serpent into the ground where he belongs.

KHEPRI
Easy
Another life saver guardian, this bi bug can still be squashed under your stilettos.
His hardest CC, a silencing pull Abduct, is slow, and not very effective as it goes a short distance, both towards you and backwards. Since you'll be facing the team,
just spam Confound until it connects and boom, team fight started. He also has a small area root, with equally small damage.
His two, Rising Dawn, is actually a pretty great clear tool, reduces physical protections, and gives his teammates damage mitigation up to 30% for 3 seconds, all the while you're taking tick damage.
Scarab's Blessing is even more of a life saver than Geb's Stone Shield, because it actually revives you back with a portion of your health. Once applied, it also cleanses the person of CC and slows.
As you can see, he's more of a bullet taking nuisance than a Guardian. He's meant for one person pickoffs and saves, not full on team fights, which makes him an easy opponent.

KUMBHAKARNA
Hard
The heaviest of sleepers, will no doubt keep you on your toes as you face off against him.
His clear is crazy. Like, his Throw Back can hit one minion, that will hit the whole wave for more damage than he hit that one minion for. Normally, this is a dash, and most Kumbhakarnas will use this as an escape rather than an initiation.
His root, Groggy Strike, is a line in front of him, and it roots for 2 seconds, a good chunk of time leading up to a good chunk of health taken from you.
Oh boy this mesmerize. Mighty Yawn lasts 3 seconds, but if you are interrupted in your slumber, you will be slowed and have your attack speed lowered. The slow is crazy too. That's why, even though it's looked down upon, Mystical Mail can actually work on him, for that quick mes into lingering slow.
Lastly, Mighty Uppercut is a CC immune dash, that damages and knocks up the first enemy hit, deals damage when they land back down, and knocks up everyone in the landing radius. This can put you out of the fight for a full two seconds, sort of like a banish, but able too look below yourself in horror as your team is useless without you. Don't sleep on this big fella.

KUZENBO
Hard
Usually one is smarter than to dive in head first against this watery god.
His 1, if you can call it a clear, can slow you, and has innate health and protections. If Kuzenbo is building full tank, this thing is nearly unkillable for 6 seconds, when it dies theatrically.
He has a reflect, Shell Spikes, that can deal minor damage, but still makes some people back away at fear of killing themselves. This can be activated while he is CCed, so even immobilizing him does not make him unable to do anything.
And the displacement begins. This grab can take you a long way away from your team, and while your first instinct would be to Confound immediately, a 5 man taunt pointed towards you with no support is a death wish, as after the CC ends, you will be encircled in deities.
Spin to win baby. Watery Grave is self explanatory. You will be pushed and bullied around by him, into his team, away from yours, and back to square one as your health reaches zero. It should be noted that he moves faster when ulting, and is CC immune, so that he can bully to the best of his abilities.

SOBEK
Easy
Cya later alligator, this matchup is easy.
First off, Sobek's clear is trash. Hits in a cone, he has to go to the side of the wave to hit them all. However, it does have some antiheal attached to it, and heals him, so it serves a purpose.
His dash is also a stun/grab/knockback. Because he knocks you backwards to his team, this is an automatic setup for your Confound, so him grabbing you plays in your hands.
His minor displacement, Tail Whip, is the same as the other one, where you now get a new position to assess the fight from. It's actually very weak in terms of displacement.
Lastly, Lurking In The Waters slows all those around him, makes him CC immune, and regenerates his mana, not his health. He is still targetable, and doesn't actually move any faster, so he's just under some water. Guess this croc was in denile of his abilities.


SYLVANUS
Medium
Studying the beauty of nature is always eye-opening, but this tree huger needs to learn a few lessons.
One unique thing about Sylvanus is that his autos attack in an AoE, so his clear ability wise is trash, but basic attack wise, is on par with some meta guardians, like yours truly.
He helps his team immensely through all stages of a fight. His Verdant Growth flowers give major MP5 to teammates, as to keep em topped off for teamfights, and can root and reduce the protections of enemies, so that in the middle of a fight, he can pop this on you, and you'll start wondering where all this damage came from.
One of the earliest guardians with a heal, Wisps give heals and protections to allies, while it just damages enemies. It helps keep his allies up for more damage given and taken.
His grab is one of the longest in the game, going a whole hunter basic, and then some. It is very skinny, however, so don't expect this as a hard counter, and is only mastered by the most proficient of Sylvanus'.
His ultimate, Wrath of Terra, simply knocks up and does damage over time. In the middle of a team fight though, it can mean huge plays because it's a full second while you're in the air.
His main weakness is that he's not the risky up close and personal initiator like you are, so he can't start a fight, he just prolongs it. But all things in nature come to an end.

TERRA
Medium
The mother of all Gods, trying to teach her grandkids a lesson.
Terra has been doing pretty well this season. Her clear consists of either stunning the minions, throwing shrapnel at them, or ticking away their health. This makes her lane presence pretty good. On this, you guys have almost equal clear.
Her heal, Monolith, is so minimal, it's laughable. It's not a heal, it's just some added HP5. When she destroys it however, she damages and roots everyone in the area. This initiation is on par with yours, because it sets up for a stun from her, an ult from a teammate, etc.
Her ultimate, Earthen Fury, affects everyone around her. It gives allies and enemies 5% damage mitigation and intake respectively, as well as healing and damaging allies and enemies respectively. This in turn swings the fight at least 10% in her team's favor. Therefore, what you beat her in is global presence and mobility.

XING TIAN
Medium
A chinese mirror to Ares, at least this time you can be a-head.
His main damaging tool is his Furious Roar, which does damage based on how much health you have. This can do well in lane, as it hits in a line.
His initiation, Sky-Cutting Axe, comboed with is Hook Slam, is a great way of getting into the fight, gaining some protections while doing it, and then putting the enemies in their place, as to setup for future abilities.
Let's not take too much time talking about his ultimate, Whirlwind of Rage and Steel. He spins around, gaining CC Immunity, grabs any enemies in range, and throws them towards his team. Afterwards, you can spam Confound for a good 3 man, if you don't get CC trained first.

YMIR
Hard
Finally on the list, is the first Guardian ever released, and he hasn't changed a bit.
His Ice Wall directly counters your Preemptive Strike, as it cuts off any potential initiation you have. Also, Confound can not affect people on the other side of the wall, so this one ability makes you useless.
His clear is one of the strongest. We're talking one of the highest base damage, along with high scaling, and he's clearing full waves at level 3.
Frost Breath remains a staple hard CC, as it is a quick and easy cone stun, that lasts for 2 seconds. This can hit you right out of your dash, right after the taunt ends, and any point in between. It stops you right in your tracks and sets up for an even easier Glacial Strike for astounding damage, and a slow on top.
Shards of Ice is one of those zone cut off ultimates that just dares you to enter. You get frozen, you could die off this. Not to mention it slows, so those already inside will find it harder to escape.
He is your hard counter in everywhere. He may not have an escape, but he honestly doesn't need one, as he can just stroll in and break the ice.

Spoils of Victory

I had tons of fun making this guide. It was refreshing to come back into the SmiteFire community through a guide contest. Not only did I have to rebrush on my BBCoding skills, but I also learned some new stuff, like borders. It was also fun testing builds and items out during the guide making, which may be why it took my so long to finish.
Hopefully this guide will bring you plenty of successful conquests and have you relishing on the spoils of victory.
I leave you with this food for thought: If Athena is the Goddess of Wisdom, then why does she look and sound like a dumb blonde? Maybe the title makes a bit more sense now ;)
This has been IceColdPappsi, on the rocks.

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1
IceColdPappsi (13) | September 4, 2019 4:52pm
Prob my magnum opus, but as SMITE has changed in my slumber, so shall I update this one as well
1
Gulfwulf (81) | April 7, 2019 12:58am
Dynasty Plate Helm is a bridge item and not a very good one at that and Jade Emperor's Crown hasn't been good since the last "adjustment" it got. Remove Jade and replace Dynasty with Celestial Legion Helm.

Stone of Fal? Really? And Shoes of the Magi? I feel as if you just threw everything plus the kitchen sink into your items, Pappsi. I can't upvote this guide because it's way too generalized.
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | April 7, 2019 1:35am
Done, polished the items a little but more, thanks for bringing up the abundance of useless items to my attention.
I had originally made this guide with the ability to build whatever you want and still be viable, as it was meant for newer people.
How naive I was.
1
xmysterionz (71) | April 6, 2019 8:42pm
You have my +1 ;)
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | April 7, 2019 12:22pm
Thank you, take this rep :D
1
Gulfwulf (81) | April 6, 2019 7:25pm
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | April 6, 2019 10:09pm
I had actually played a ranked match as Athena last night, and I only lost because the Chaac solo was building Transcendence, Ninja Tabi, and was in the mace tree until we were like, where's ur defense?
But I love Emilzy, him, Aror, and iRaffer are the ones I pay attention to during the SPL
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | April 6, 2019 5:28pm
Updated :D
1
boogiebass (46) | November 29, 2018 6:40am
Hey papps, update this one before working on xing tian.
1
Kriega1 (143) | November 29, 2018 8:08am
It will be halfway during season 6 before that happens.
1
Gulfwulf (81) | July 27, 2018 9:56am
Don't buy Gauntlet of Thebes until you have two protection items online that aren't your blessing or boots unless you're ahead. Thebes is a mid to late game item and you'll be vulnerable until it's stacked if you don't have any other protection items.
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | July 27, 2018 10:24am
I wouldn't use that as a hard rule. You could still get Gauntlet immediately after boots, but it's probably best to do so when you want early balanced protections because you plan to rotate immediately after building full stacks, and expect to see both physical and magical incoming damage at that stage. In addition, you want your duo to be a much better early game pairing than the other, where you don't expect too much threat...that'll make stacking safer and easier.

And you don't need 2 protection items first...I'd say another common purchase order for a pure tank (no aggression via Void Stone) would be Shoes, Sovereignty, then Gauntlet. Sov gives you that prot and health...at least the health will still be functional against magical to a degree, allowing you a bit more safety in building stacks of Gauntlet.

Also...for most cases...don't get Shoes of the Magi. Go more tanky (Reinforced) or get CDR (Focus). Void Stone is fine when you have (preferably) 2 other magical gods on your team, but you're not as well served with Magi in most cases.
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | July 27, 2018 10:35am
Actually, I think of Gauntlet of Thebes as a bridge item for increased mid game protections that you can trade out for a later Mantle of Discord. In the early game, its 50 protections, plus 10 protection aura, and health is crazy early but underwhelming late.
I also watched a video by EmilZy talking about how to build Thebes, and he cites that it depends on game to game. If the game is slow, it is great because of the extra survivability it gives your allies. However, in faster more kill-centric games, its passive would be useless because people are dying left and right that 10 protections is nothing.
He also brings up that it can be built later than before or right after boots, just like you said. However, this situation would be if you are not the tanking objectives, or the pace has slowed down and you find yourself with a lot of gold along with your team already having some auras, this item can just top them off.

Edit: Also, this guide is outdated to me because I actually have a new start and personal build for her.
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1
IceColdPappsi (13) | May 6, 2018 11:26pm
Updated.
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 17, 2018 9:53pm
Done.
1
ThePerfectPrism (56) | February 23, 2018 10:26am
There you go

Guess you got the hint as to why I was hmmmm'ing
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 23, 2018 2:51pm
I was always gonna finish it. I thought u were hmming because ur an Athena main and I made an Athena guide and you were silently judging it.
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1
ThePerfectPrism (56) | February 12, 2018 5:12am
Hmmmm
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 12, 2018 5:32pm
Hmmmmmmm?
1
ThePerfectPrism (56) | February 18, 2018 4:37pm
Hmmmmmm
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1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 11, 2018 4:22pm
It was a grueling weekend, but I finished the items section. I personally love how I've evolved in my knowledge of BBCoding, cuz its all so colorful. Quick question: should there be a chapter about who counters Athena? Also, lemme know what you think of the guide so far.
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | February 12, 2018 11:56am
Good update overall, Papps. Since I know you, I won't hold back on some things =P
  • Curious, is there rhyme or reason to your skill leveling? It is so sporadic that I think you just started moving your hand and clicking, lol.

  • For Preemptive Strike, you could also mention its early help for wave clear...dash through the entire wave, build up stacks of block, and you additionally get that Reach ranged basic to deal additional damage. Do it from your side at level 3 to scare enemies back (possible Confound threat), or just run straight at them, dash through the wave from the offensive side back to your teammate for safer positioning.

  • Shield Wall: One thing you might mention is that this ability's high damage makes her one of the stronger jungle-clearing guardians...she is much better suited to being able to leave teammates and roam early, especially since she can ult right back to them if she's needed. If Jungle is struggling to clear everything, this will help her own leveling.

  • Speaking of the ult, you might point out (at least for new players) that Defender of Olympus is better used very early in an engagement that is far away from you. If you wait too long (4.2 seconds charge time is pretty long), your teammate might be dead, and you've used your ult to go nowhere. It's also possible (not optimal but hey you do what you need to) that you need it for escape purposes...if you're out of position, ult away to teammates as long as you can weather the beating. Higher level use of this also requires you to quickly assess the situation...if the enemy team is like...4 on 1, and no other teammates are going to be nearby to help, ulting to that teammate will likely mean the death of you AND your teammate.

    Also, you say "This serves as protection, misdirection, and redirection." What exactly do you mean by the term misdirection? It's a clear indication of help arriving soon, and it's not like you can cancel out of it, so not sure how it's misdirection.

  • You can force enemies to hit you with basics...I think Shield of Thorns is at least a functional situational relic option, but it's just not even mentioned...and works great combined with Hide of the Nemean Lion especially against crit. If nothing else it can force out beads.

  • I have a different opinion on Jade Emperor's Crown. To me, it's an offensive early physical protection version of Sovereignty. Sov's passive benefit means you're best side-by-side with your ADC, sticking close to them and helping peel when necessary. With Jade, your aura doesn't do anything directly for your ADC...the aura affects enemies. This means the focus is shifted offensively, at least for your positioning. As such, it's a good option even against 3 phys/2 magical (you say best only against 4 or 5 phys, which should never happen unless playing against trolls or newer players...or using SMITE Roulette lol)...in this case, if they have a weak early game, and your ADC is strong early...and especially if they aren't watching the jungle and the jungler can sneak for a gank, then your initiation will help you come out with more health to possibly continue an assault into the jungle or other lanes. As an alternative situation, if they have a stronger early game, this item can possibly balance things to a point where you can make it a more even fight, if you're willing to be aggressive and can out-strategize them.

  • Not sure what you mean by Hide of the Nemean Lion helping on 1 v 1s where cooldowns are long. It's damage reflection...mind explaining how long enemy CDs make this more functional?

  • FYI for S5 they've changed magical protections for mages. So all gods typically will have as much as 48 inherent magical protection at level 20. (you discussed and said 30-40 in the Void Stone section) A more important thing you didn't mention about Void is that the protection reduction helps magical TEAMMATES also deal more damage.

  • Moonflower Dance does 130 healing + 30% scaling at max level. Realistically, you might see a full Chang'e heal do a bit under 300 to a single target..You said it can reduce her heals by a hundred or two. Definitely not "or two," unless you're talking about her heals combined on multiple targets. Just pointing this out for accuracy's sake.

  • Another pretty big exaggeration I'll point out is from Stone of Binding where you say your ADCs auto damage will "like, double." That's a huge overstatement. 10 pen early in the game might net your ADC maybe 15-20% more damage...but not double.

  • You can force enemies to attack you, but you don't even have Midgardian Mail in your list of items =( Paired with Witchblade it's got incredible function.

  • I know you throw them in there to provide options, and options are good, but I don't know if I'd even suggest Chronos' Pendant ever for her, except when trolling or just flat out demolishing the enemy team and you don't need to worry about anything. She's got many other items containing CDR that are usually going to be much higher priority that I just would never be able to fit this into my kit.

  • Your example build looks funny. I'd personally suggest throwing that Urchin last, even if that's what your item list will look like late-game (since you'll replace the blessing). The way you show it, it's like you get Urchin first. Also...that's the 1 example build you want to provide for people to see? Strong utility Athena with absolutely 0 counter-type items?
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 12, 2018 5:30pm
Holy f**k, you tore me a new one. Lemme just redo the whole f***ing thing then, huh? Nah jk, I definetly get what you're saying. Let's go down the list.
  • My leveling changed to better fit your first suggestion of leveling the 3 three times by level 6. I personally prioritize the taunt, but as per your words, do the three and two for the clear and safer options. After that, I level them up evenly, maxing taunt before my dash.
  • I have actually noticed some enemy Athenas level dash first, and do this exact thing to my wave, and my duo feeds, so it's effective. Will add.
  • Will do, great note.
  • I forgot to point out the bad in this ability, especially with the 4.2 second charge up. Prob add in the Important to Know part. Rethinking the misdirection part, i might just delete that... lol im dumb
  • Thanks for the note. Will add, but suggest one more relic so it's an even number and it fits well. Yes it's that serious.
  • As you know, I am aggressive, and look for fights even at level 1 (im trash, be quiet), so this item in my eyes can affect those teamfights where the enemy solo or jungle has just been tearing through everyone, at least they do less damage. It can also affect the adc because basic attack damage scales off ability damage. As for the 4 or 5 phys comp, I said that as to state this is a niche item. As you compared it to Sov, that can be used in almost every build, as this is situational, such as in a jank or troll comp.
  • Sorry, I was still in my Bellona mentality of using this item in 1v1s. For the cooldowns note, when all your cds are down, all ur reduced too is bashing them with your basics, which is why i said, but thats a throwaway statement.
  • They did? That would make Void Stone less effective in late game, but still good to help your teammates. However, I already have this noted in there.
  • Wow, only 30% scaling? So yeah, or two does sound a bit farfecthed. Will edit.
  • Another exaggeration, will change.
  • Forgot this item, will add.
  • Do I erase this item? I feel it can help if you don't have any CDR in your build.
  • Yeah, my example build is wack, but thats how it shows up. Guardian's Blessing into Gauntlet of Thebes, follow up until Mystical Mail and sell starter for Urchin. Will order accordingly. That's just my standard build, it fluctuates every match or so.

No really tho, you just went in on me. Where do you even find the time to write these?

EDITED NOTE!!! Will publish changes when done with counters part and conclusion.
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1
xZeroStrike (46) | February 12, 2018 4:45am
Those tables are thicc my dude. Definitely improved.
As for a counters chapter, yes. In case of a support, this is probably one of the most important things to know, as you'll have to outsmart the enemy a lot (you're the frontline).
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 12, 2018 5:31pm
Thanks my dude, learned from the best :)
Will do counter section. Should it be like, who counters Athena and who does Athena Counter? Should it be all gods, or just limited to supports? Should unconventional supports be included?
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1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 2, 2018 7:21pm
My contest guide. Been loving Athena lately, my tryhard go-to for sure, especially in ranked. Think she'll be my first diamond guardian, if I apply myself
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | February 2, 2018 7:39pm
She's likely to be a top ban for s5... Make sure you've got a good backup Support or two.
1
IceColdPappsi (13) | February 2, 2018 9:03pm
Always have like two or three backups/pockets. My legendaries are khep and bacchus, with ymir at 4, geb at 2, terra and faf at 1, and hope to play more ganesha in the future.
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League of Legends Build Guide Author IceColdPappsi
In My Stilettos: Athena Support Guide (S6)
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