SMITE Tactics combines the gameplay of Blizzard’s card game Hearthstone with the tactical turn-based strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic. Additionally, it features all the cool deities from the MOBA SMITE, resulting in a game with hit potential! We tried the beta of SMITE Tactics and have some cool giveaways for you!
SMITE by Hi-Rez Studios lets you pit ancient deities against each other in a fast-paced MOBA. But what to do if you prefer a more relaxed strategy game or card battles but still love the gods and their designs?
SMITE Tactics – SMITE for the Calm
With the currently closed beta of SMITE Tactics, the folks at Hi-Rez have developed exactly the game that might appeal to more relaxed players and fans of the gods.
On one hand, it is a turn-based strategy game in a limited arena. This arena is divided into various rectangular game fields, with obstacles and dangerous terrain between them. You start with your main god on one side of the field, while the opponent starts with their leader on the other.
The goal of the game is to take down the enemy leader by reducing their health points to zero through attacks and spells. Each round you can make movements and attacks with your main god as well as your minions. Positioning is important since ranged fighters need a clear line of sight, and melee fighters need to be within reach of their opponents.
If you poorly position your figures and plan ineffectively, you could lose what you thought was a secure match because your strongest fighter can’t reach the enemy in the decisive round. Anyone familiar with the iconic strategy game Heroes of Might and Magic should get accustomed to SMITE Tactics quickly.
Card Battling like Hearthstone
If you’ve been paying attention, you’re probably wondering, “Yes, nice, you say there is a main god to start the game per side and nothing else. Where do the spells and minions come from?” Quite simple: You have a set of cards in your hand, and each card represents either minions, lesser gods from your pantheon, useful items, or spells. Each round you draw another card.
Each card requires mana to be played. This mana is gained each round. You start with two mana crystals and gain one crystal each round. If you want to summon particularly strong creatures like the Furies or the Ice Giant Ymir onto the battlefield, you’ll need to be patient. Cheap cannon fodder like archers or cursed Vikings, on the other hand, are available from round one for just 1 mana.
If this all sounds familiar: Yes, it is exactly the same gameplay as Blizzard’s card epic Hearthstone.
How Does SMITE Tactics Play?
Since both Hearthstone and Heroes of Might and Magic are turn-based strategy games, the two game concepts fit together perfectly. Additionally, there’s an important strategy aspect in play. Before each game, we choose a card deck built around our main god and their pantheon.
Currently, there are pre-made decks for Zeus (Greek Gods), Odin (Norse Religion), and Ra (Egyptian Mythology). Each deck has a different strategy:
- Allfather Odin’s Vikings are a rough bunch and rely on strong melee fighters and direct damage spells
- Main God Zeus and his Greek Gods are balanced fellows who feature strong ranged and melee fighters as well as many buffs
- Sun God Ra from Egypt is a master of magic and nasty effects. He steals minions from enemies or simply kills them with magical power.
In addition to the above-mentioned main gods, there are currently alternate options available like Freya or Poseidon. Furthermore, there are the gods of ancient China that you can unlock. You earn more cards for your decks by winning many rounds and thereby unlocking resources for card purchases.
Additionally, a campaign mode is planned that will grant you further rare cards. Alternatively, you can buy cards for real money or dismantle excess copies to build new ones from the scraps – just like in Hearthstone!
Jürgen’s Conclusion on the SMITE Tactics Beta
I love Hearthstone, and I played the earlier Heroes of Might and Magic games to the utmost. And I am also a huge fan of ancient gods and myths. However, SMITE itself has never truly impressed me, but SMITE Tactics opens doors for me and captivated me from the very first turn. The blend of card game and turn-based strategy with tactical positioning on the battlefield works brilliantly and convinces.
However, the game still shows its beta state quite clearly. Many cards simply have some fantasy artwork as placeholders, often dead creatures just disappear without animation, and sometimes I couldn’t execute skills and properties despite the correct conditions. The balance also isn’t optimal yet, as I often win very quickly, and sometimes I have hardly any chances against the enemy’s strategy.
But I don’t want to be too critical as everything is still in beta, and some rough edges and issues are completely acceptable. However, if Hi-Rez puts as much effort into SMITE Tactics as it did with SMITE, then this could become the godly strategy game we are all waiting for!
Cortyn’s Take on SMITE Tactics
SMITE Tactics is a diamond in rough form. Unrefined and uncut, currently more like a piece of coal. But while playing, you can already see what this project could become in time. The tactical elements are already grand, and the mix of card game and strategic positioning of your units brings fresh air. This makes the game less “luck-based” than a pure card game, but at the same time less suited for chess masters compared to similar games.
I am most looking forward to the campaign mode, which is currently only seen as an empty menu item on the start screen. Just the tutorial missions have sparked my appetite for “more” absurd stories from the war of the gods’ pantheons. I will definitely check back into the game in a few months. If Hi-Rez does it right, there could be a little strategic gem awaiting us here that, like Paladins, could become a very solid free-to-play representative of its genre.
But until then, a lot of time and work needs to be poured into SMITE Tactics. Simply importing the models from the “real” SMITE won’t be enough to uncover the hidden diamond. Be sure to keep an eye on the project: In a few months, it could be on everyone’s lips.
MOBA Fan Leya Also Checked Out SMITE Tactics
The tutorial of SMITE Tactics already captivated me with a lot of atmosphere and gives hope for a promising narrative style. That’s why I’m especially excited about the planned campaign mode. The gameplay felt quite refined and rounded for an early beta. While the animations were still peppered with bugs here and there, they reminded me of one of my favorite games from back in the day: Battle Chess.
In SMITE Tactics, I had the feeling of being on a chessboard. It is crucial here to logically link each move in the correct sequence and be aware of your playing field. Especially the menu and card selection could still be embellished. But if SMITE Tactics continues in its current direction, it could become a true gem among strategy games.
