SMITE 2 revealed, Alpha Tests begin this Spring
SMITE, known as the console MOBA where characters are Gods from different stems of mythology, is getting a sequel.
Titan Forge Games has now announced SMITE 2, during the final World Championships of the original title.
Set to begin Alpha testing in Spring, SMITE 2 is on the way!
Titan Forge Games announces SMITE 2
Click to enlargeOriginally launched in 2014 a decade ago, SMITE is entering its eleventh year, with a new God coming in the near future to take the tally to 140 characters from different pantheons.
From Norse to Greek to Chinese, SMITE delves into each and every corner of mythological lore and throws ten chosen Gods into a MOBA medley, played in third-person, unlike its competitors Dota 2 and League of Legends.
Popular on consoles rather than PC, although still available on Steam and Epic Games, SMITE 2 is coming to give a massive overhaul to a range of features, as they upgrade the sequel to Unreal Engine 5 while giving game modes like Conquest a well-need update.
Alpha testing for SMITE 2 is expected in "Spring 2024" before Titan Forge Games will offer limited weekends before a 24/7 Beta will come in "mid-to-late" 2024. A full release is expected in late 2024 or early 2025, but this isn't set in stone.
All new features in SMITE 2
Click to enlargeGods
Starting off, SMITE 2 will have just 25 Gods again, as the Alpha stage in Spring will be "simplistic".
The first lineup includes some classic Gods such as Ymir, Chaac, Anubis, Anhur, Loki, Kukulkan, and Bacchus, while also featuring a new God: Hecate (Greek Goddess of Witchcraft and Sorcery).
But not for long. One God per week will be added to SMITE 2 until the game's full release, where they aim to have 50 Gods available.
Then, for the next two years, another God will release every two weeks, taking the total God up to 100 by 2027, when they will then reassess their character pool.
Not all Gods in SMITE will transfer to SMITE 2, but the sequel also has five exclusive Gods in development already which won't be added to the original title.
There will also be an overhaul of some existing Gods. The first example provided was Ymir, who will have changes to abilities such as the Ice Wall which will now actually serve as a knock-up too if Gods are underneath its placement.
Gameplay features
A lot of emphasis is being placed on Conquest, which will be the main game mode once again, while Arena will also be available to help you learn Gods.
The Conquest map is getting some brand-new features too, as sneak zones (long grass, familiar in League of Legends), a back-door route, and a lane-switching portal will all be added.
There will be a wider pool of jungles and camps to navigate through too, which the developers hope will take away from the linear early-game exchanges, allowing for more variety. Each buff now also needs interacting to pick up, and there will no longer be those annoying accidental pickups.
SMITE 2 will also see the removal of Relics as a permanent fixture, as all Gods will have six item slots now. The sixth slot can still be used to purchase Relic items, but can also be used to add more builds instead.
Speaking of builds, SMITE 2 will now leave each and every item in the game open to all Gods, rather than restricting certain items to individual roles, and the build menu is being made much easier to navigate.
Skins, Legacy Gems, and Divine Legacy
Click to enlargeUnfortunately, all skins will not be transferred over. Instead, you will get Legacy Gems and Divine Legacy as a refund, which can then be used again in SMITE 2.
More information about Legacy Gems, Divine Legacy, and skins can be found in our interview with Titan Forge Games, where they defend its 'generosity'.
SBMM and Ranked
As usual, SMITE 2 will not have SBMM in its core Playlists, or Ranked (this will have an Elo-based system to pair likeminded Ranks).
However, there will be one intermediate playlist which will have SBMM. This playlist will only be available to players who are Level 25 and under, as they get used to the game, designed to encourage new and returning players to SMITE 2.
Ranked will also be getting a major rework, where more details will be revealed closer to the game's full release (Demigod could be the highest Ranked title).
SMITE 2 is coming this Spring, and more details will be confirmed closer to its release.
