Smite's Most Intimate Gamemode

As many of us know Smite is primarily balanced around Conquest, the traditional 5v5 tri-lane present in Smite, LoL and DotA2. However, many gods can shine best during smaller engagements. Gods like Ares whose 'No Escape' can force the use of actives and cc-immunity ultimates at inopportune times, whilst bringing a lot of control and damage to fights. Add to this an exceptionally strong passive due to the importance of aura effects in smaller skirmishes.

In 3v3 the standard team composition seen in conquest is thrown out the window as we see a varied roster of strong gods. The following are some of my favorite team compositions for 3v3, focusing on clear, chaining crowd-control and of course kill potential.

1. Odin, Zeus, Anhur
The Odin and Zeus picks are what makes this combo. No longer seen in conquest due to the meta shift, the Odin/Zeus duo lane was a nightmare to contend with. In a game mode where your mage doesn't have the luxury of retreating in three different directions, an Odin ult will almost always force a combat blink to come out. 'Ring of Spears' atypical cooldown, 75s, allows this combo to repeat before Combat Blink's lengthy cooldown is reset. Anhur is added into the mix for much needed physical damage and his strong waveclear. In addition Anhur's 'Desert Fury' allows him to contribute to the deathly combo Odin/Zeus already bring to the table. With strong cc in the form of two slows and two stuns, this team is more than capable of locking down any god long enough to secure a kill.

2. Freya, Sun Wukong, Kali
Harass is the goal with this team composition. Short cooldowns on 'Lash', 'Pulse' and 'The Magic Cudgel' let your team poke from relative safety. All three have passives designed for extended engagements and extended cc- and damage-immunity during their ultimates. All three can single-handedly lock down an enemy combatant. In short this composition features high survivability, strong waveclear and poke damage.

There is no escape, Ares will find you.

3. Ares, Isis, Neith
Ares' passive 'Blessed Presence' benefits from smaller engagements where aura effects are more tangible and 'No Escape' forces the use of Purification Beads or Aegis Amulet. Each god has a slow built into their kit and good self sustain. Both Neith and Isis provide strong waveclear and push potential allowing Ares to conserve mana for engagements. We have incredible burst damage if enemies get pulled and Isis provides adequate crowd-control that is otherwise lacking.

4. Bacchus, He Bo, Thor
High burst damage and numerous forms of crowd-control dominate this team composition. Bacchus' mana consumption issues are less prevalent in 3v3 due to the proximity of the well. Good mobility on both Bacchus and Thor allows them to quickly maneuver into position in order to peel for He Bo. The weak point of this composition is early waveclear which is a bit lacking comparatively.

Target Acquired.

5. Athena, Agni, Artemis
Multiple forms of crowd-control and a lot of poke with 'Suppress the Insolent' and 'Rain Fire' means many enemy comps will be backpedaling early. Athena's 'Confound' almost guarantees the stun from 'Calydonian Boar' or Agni's 'Noxious Fumes'. In addition 'Shield Wall', 'Noxious Fumes' and 'Transgressor's Fate' each provide area denial during a disengage or securing jungle buffs.

Does this look like the face of mercy?

 

Of course these are not necessary the best compositions in 3v3 but each focuses on the three main assets I discussed earlier. One of the interesting characteristics of the 3v3 lane-up is that certain gods such as Ares are stronger in this gamemode while traditionally low-tier for Conquest. Other gods such as Tyr or Ao Kuang are significantly weaker but considered top picks during ranked games. Smart active picks such as 'Heavenly Agility', 'Girdle of Support' and 'Weakening Curse' can turn fights around in a instant.