Smite Tactics shares its name and studio with the popular god MOBA Smite, but it is a completely different game. The spin-off is set to become a turn-based strategy and card game instead of wild real-time MOBA battles with skill shots and lanes.
Smite Tactics started as a fun experiment at the Smite developer HiRez Studios. Since everyone was having so much fun with it, it kept being developed and has now become its own game. Originally, it was meant to be a pure strategy game, but more and more aspects from card games like Magic and especially Blizzard’s Hearthstone have made their way into the game.
Hearthstone meets Turn-Based Strategy
In card games like Hearthstone, you simply play your cards and usually hit the targeted enemy unless a tank or shield prevents it. The exact position of the cards on the board doesn’t matter. Not so in Smite Tactics! Here, you start with a god, the lord of the chosen pantheon. So for example, Zeus for the ancient Greeks, Odin for the Scandinavian gods.
The high god can move freely on the field in rounds, which recalls strategy games like XCOM or Heroes of Might and Magic. In addition to moving, he can also use abilities like lightning (Zeus) or powerful melee attacks (Odin). The two godfathers do not fight alone. Instead, you can summon additional gods from the pantheon through the card deck. Popular figures like Thor or Athena come into play. The new gods have useful skills and can also move freely.
Minions for Everyone!
In addition to the big gods, which are uniquely represented for each pantheon, there are also a bunch of minions, both assigned and neutral variants. For example, a basilisk that does not petrify opponents – that would be the skill of the “goddess” Medusa – but at least roots them and temporarily hinders their movement. Since the gods and servant creatures must be within range for their skills and attacks, positioning in Smite Tactics is crucial.
Each pantheon – currently, in addition to the two already mentioned divine worlds, there are the Egyptians under sun god Ra – has its own theme. The sons and daughters of Odin rely on brute force, Zeus and his Olympic buddies have more nasty effects in store. The Egyptians, on the other hand, focus entirely on magic cards that can be cast directly. Additionally, you can fill your deck with more neutral creatures and effects to balance the weaknesses of the pantheon.
Jürgen says: I think the god concept of Smite is great and as a strategy and card game, I would enjoy it even more. Therefore, I am eagerly waiting for the first beta. A closed alpha is already running, so it can’t be too long until the beta! Are you also looking forward to the game, or do you prefer the wild action of the Smite MOBA? By the way, Smite has a lengthy Christmas event going on right now!
