Ares Guide for Smite

Ares, the Greek God of War, is a formidable force in Smite. He is a Guardian, primarily a support role, and is known for his ability to control the battlefield and protect his allies. This guide will explore Ares’ abilities, strengths, weaknesses, optimal builds, gameplay tips, and counter strategies. By understanding Ares’ unique mechanics and playstyle, you can master this powerful god and dominate the battlefield.

Introduction to Ares

Ares, the Greek God of War, embodies the very essence of conflict and aggression. In Smite, he is a Guardian, primarily a support role, but his playstyle is anything but passive. Ares is known for his ability to control the battlefield, protect his allies, and unleash devastating damage. His father, Zeus, despises him, and Ares is loved by very few, representing everything they fear and despise⁚ war, strife, chaos, and bloodshed. Despite this, Ares is worshipped by warriors, who recognize his power and the effectiveness of his brutal tactics.

Ares is a powerful force in Smite, but he requires a skilled player to truly unlock his potential. His abilities are versatile, allowing him to both disrupt enemy movement and protect his team. His ultimate ability, “God of War,” is particularly devastating, pulling enemies towards him and stunning them, creating opportunities for his team to capitalize on. Mastering Ares’ abilities and understanding his strengths and weaknesses is crucial for success in Smite.

Ares Abilities

Ares possesses a unique set of abilities that make him a formidable force on the battlefield. His kit is designed to control the flow of battle, protect his allies, and dish out significant damage. Here’s a breakdown of his abilities⁚

• Searing Flesh⁚ Ares channels flames from his shield, dealing magical damage to enemies in a cone in front of him. This ability is great for clearing waves of minions and dealing damage to enemies caught in the fire. Ares also gains immunity to knockback while channeling, making him a tough target to push around.
• Shackle⁚ Ares throws out chains to all enemy gods in an area around him, pulling them towards him after a short delay. This ability is powerful for initiating fights, setting up kills, and controlling the battlefield. Shackles deal damage and cripple the enemy, slowing their movement speed.
• Wrath of the Gods⁚ Ares strengthens the defenses of himself and nearby allies for a duration, granting them increased basic attack damage, protections, HP5, and reduced crowd control durations. The buff’s strength increases with each enemy god shackled, making it a powerful team fighting ability.
• God of War⁚ Ares’ ultimate ability is his most devastating. He attaches a chain to nearby gods, pulls them towards him, and stuns enemies around him. This ability is a powerful initiation tool, capable of turning the tide of battle in Ares’ team’s favor. It’s a crucial ability for team fights and can be used to secure kills.

Understanding the nuances of these abilities and how they interact with each other is essential for mastering Ares. His abilities are versatile and powerful, allowing him to play a variety of roles in a team fight. Experiment with different combos and strategies to find the optimal way to utilize Ares’ abilities in your game.

Ares Strengths and Weaknesses

Ares, like any god in Smite, has his strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these aspects of his character is crucial for maximizing his effectiveness on the battlefield. His strengths lie in his ability to control the flow of battle, protect his allies, and initiate fights. His weaknesses, however, are his reliance on landing his abilities, his vulnerability to crowd control, and his limited mobility.

Ares’ strengths include⁚

• Strong Crowd Control⁚ Ares’ abilities, particularly Shackle and God of War, are excellent at controlling the battlefield. His Shackle can pull enemies towards him, setting up kills or forcing them into unfavorable positions. God of War, his ultimate, is a powerful initiation tool capable of stunning multiple enemies, turning the tide of battle in his team’s favor.
• Excellent Tanking Abilities⁚ Ares is a durable god with high base protections and the ability to further enhance these with his Wrath of the Gods ability. He can absorb a significant amount of damage, protecting his allies from harm. His Searing Flesh ability also grants him immunity to knockback, making him a tough target to push around.
• Reliable Damage Output⁚ Despite his role as a support, Ares can deal significant damage with his abilities. His Searing Flesh deals constant magical damage, while Shackle and God of War deal additional damage upon impact. His Wrath of the Gods ability also increases his basic attack damage, allowing him to contribute meaningfully to team fights.

However, Ares’ weaknesses include⁚

• Reliance on Landing Abilities⁚ Ares’ abilities are crucial to his effectiveness, but they require accuracy to land. His Shackle, in particular, can be difficult to hit at longer ranges, and if he misses his abilities, he loses a significant portion of his power.
• Vulnerability to Crowd Control⁚ While Ares is a durable god, he’s not immune to crowd control. If he’s caught in a stun, root, or other crowd control effect, he becomes an easy target for enemies to focus down.
• Limited Mobility⁚ Ares lacks the mobility of some other gods. He can be easily outmaneuvered by more agile gods, making it difficult to position himself optimally or escape dangerous situations.

By playing to Ares’ strengths and mitigating his weaknesses, you can make him a powerful and effective god in the Smite battlefield. His unique ability set and playstyle offer exciting possibilities for players who are willing to master him.

Best Ares Builds

Ares’ build can vary depending on the game mode and your preferred playstyle. However, the core principles remain the same⁚ prioritize protections, cooldown reduction, and items that enhance his ability to control the battlefield and protect his allies. Here are some popular builds for different game modes⁚

Arena Builds

In Arena, Ares’ role is to be a frontline tank and disrupt the enemy team. A popular build involves stacking protections with items like Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia, and Spirit Robe. This provides a strong defensive foundation, allowing you to withstand enemy damage. Additionally, incorporating cooldown reduction items like Ancile or Mantle of Discord will allow you to use your abilities more frequently, keeping the enemy team under control.

Conquest Builds

Conquest requires a more balanced approach. A good build for Conquest involves stacking protections with items like Mantle of Discord, Spirit Robe, and Breastplate of Valor, while also incorporating a few offensive items like Soul Reaver or Spear of the Magus. This build allows you to tank enemy damage while also contributing to your team’s damage output. You can also consider items like Midgardian’s Mail or Hide of the Urchin to further enhance your survivability.

Joust Builds

In Joust, Ares’ role is to be a frontline tank and disrupt the enemy team. A popular build involves stacking protections with items like Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia, and Spirit Robe. This provides a strong defensive foundation, allowing you to withstand enemy damage. Additionally, incorporating cooldown reduction items like Ancile or Mantle of Discord will allow you to use your abilities more frequently, keeping the enemy team under control. You can also consider items like Mystical Mail or Hide of the Urchin to further enhance your survivability.

Remember, these are just a few examples, and the best Ares build will ultimately depend on your individual preferences, the enemy team composition, and the overall game state. Experiment with different items and builds to find what works best for you.

Arena Builds

In Arena, Ares’ role is to be a frontline tank and disrupt the enemy team. A popular build involves stacking protections with items like Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia, and Spirit Robe. This provides a strong defensive foundation, allowing you to withstand enemy damage. Additionally, incorporating cooldown reduction items like Ancile or Mantle of Discord will allow you to use your abilities more frequently, keeping the enemy team under control.

Another key aspect of Ares’ Arena build is maximizing his ability to control the battlefield. Items like Mystical Mail or Hide of the Urchin can provide additional protection and crowd control reduction, allowing you to withstand enemy attacks and stay in the fight longer.

Here’s a sample Arena build for Ares⁚

• Starting Items⁚ Warrior Tabi, Bluestone Pendant
• Early Game⁚ Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia
• Mid Game⁚ Ancile, Spirit Robe
• Late Game⁚ Mantle of Discord, Mystical Mail

This build provides a good balance of protections, cooldown reduction, and crowd control reduction, making Ares a formidable tank in Arena. Remember to adapt your build based on the enemy team composition and your team’s needs.

Conquest Builds

Conquest demands a more strategic approach to Ares’ build. Here, he acts as a support for your carry, providing protection and control while aiding in team fights. A popular build focuses on stacking protections with items like Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia, and Spirit Robe, similar to Arena builds. However, in Conquest, you’ll need to prioritize items that synergize with your team’s composition.

For example, if your team lacks magical protection, consider building items like Hide of the Urchin or Mystical Mail to provide a stronger defensive presence against magical damage. Similarly, if your team needs more physical protection, Ancile or Mantle of Discord are excellent choices.

Here’s a sample Conquest build for Ares⁚

• Starting Items⁚ Warrior Tabi, Bluestone Pendant
• Early Game⁚ Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia
• Mid Game⁚ Ancile, Hide of the Urchin
• Late Game⁚ Mantle of Discord, Spirit Robe

This build provides a good balance of protections, cooldown reduction, and crowd control reduction, making Ares a formidable tank in Conquest. Remember to adapt your build based on the enemy team composition and your team’s needs.

Joust Builds

In Joust, Ares’ role is to be a defensive powerhouse, shielding his allies and disrupting the enemy team. His ability to pull enemies towards him and control the flow of battle makes him a valuable asset in this 3v3 format. Joust builds often prioritize protections and cooldown reduction, allowing Ares to frequently utilize his abilities and protect his team from incoming damage.

A common strategy is to build items like Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia, and Spirit Robe, providing a strong foundation of protections. Items like Ancile and Mantle of Discord can also be valuable, especially against aggressive enemies. Cooldown reduction is crucial in Joust, so consider Mystical Mail or Hide of the Urchin, which provide valuable stats and cooldown reduction.

Here’s a sample Joust build for Ares⁚

• Starting Items⁚ Warrior Tabi, Bluestone Pendant
• Early Game⁚ Breastplate of Valor, Stone of Gaia
• Mid Game⁚ Ancile, Mystical Mail
• Late Game⁚ Mantle of Discord, Spirit Robe

This build provides a good balance of protections, cooldown reduction, and crowd control reduction, making Ares a formidable tank in Joust. Remember to adapt your build based on the enemy team composition and your team’s needs.

Ares Gameplay Tips

Mastering Ares requires understanding his strengths and weaknesses, and utilizing them effectively in various situations. Here are some gameplay tips to enhance your Ares experience⁚

• Utilize Shackle Effectively⁚ Shackle is your bread and butter, allowing you to initiate team fights, pull enemies into dangerous positions, or even secure objectives. Practice its range and timing to master its use.
• Maximize Searing Flesh⁚ Searing Flesh is a powerful tool for clearing waves, dealing damage, and providing a protective aura. Use it offensively to push lanes or defensively to shield your allies.
• Utilize Chains of Olympus for Control⁚ Chains of Olympus is Ares’ ultimate, and it’s a potent tool for crowd control. It can pull enemies together, stun them, and deal significant damage. Use it wisely to turn the tide of battles.
• Prioritize Team Fights⁚ Ares excels in team fights, so position yourself strategically to maximize his impact. Use your abilities to disrupt enemies and protect your allies.
• Play Aggressively⁚ Ares is a strong initiator and can force engagements with his abilities. Don’t be afraid to dive into the fray and make plays.

Remember, practice makes perfect. Utilize these tips and experiment with different strategies to discover your own unique playstyle with Ares.

Ares Counters

While Ares is a formidable force, he has weaknesses that can be exploited by certain gods and strategies. Understanding these counters will help you navigate encounters with Ares and even turn the tables on him.

• Gods with Crowd Control⁚ Gods with strong crowd control abilities, such as CC immunity or hard stuns, can disrupt Ares’s initiation and prevent him from effectively using his abilities. These include gods like Osiris, Bacchus, and Geb.
• Gods with Mobility⁚ Gods with high mobility can easily dodge Ares’s Shackle and Chains of Olympus. This allows them to avoid his initiation and focus on other targets. Examples include gods like Mercury, Loki, and Arachne.
• Gods with High Damage⁚ Gods that deal significant damage can quickly eliminate Ares, especially if he’s focused down by multiple enemies. This includes gods like Anubis, Freya, and Artemis.
• Gods with Sustain⁚ Gods with strong healing abilities can outlast Ares’s damage and mitigate his impact in team fights. These include gods like Aphrodite, Hel, and Bacchus.
• Team Composition⁚ A team with a strong front line, such as a tank with high physical protection, can effectively counter Ares’s damage and initiation. A good team composition can make it difficult for Ares to effectively use his abilities.

By understanding Ares’ counters, you can choose appropriate gods and strategies to counter his aggression and secure victory.

Ares Synergies

Ares thrives when paired with gods that complement his abilities and playstyle. These synergistic partnerships amplify his strengths and enable him to dominate the battlefield.

• Gods with High Damage⁚ Ares excels at setting up kills for his allies. Pairing him with gods that deal significant damage, like hunters or mages, allows them to capitalize on his crowd control and secure kills. Examples include gods like Neith, Artemis, and Zeus.
• Gods with Sustain⁚ Ares’s lack of self-healing makes him vulnerable. Teaming up with gods that provide sustain, like healers or supports, allows him to stay in fights longer and contribute more effectively. Examples include gods like Aphrodite, Hel, and Kumbhakarna.
• Gods with Crowd Control⁚ Ares’s ultimate, Chains of Olympus, is a powerful initiation tool. Pairing him with gods that provide additional crowd control can create devastating combos and lock down enemies. Examples include gods like Bacchus, Osiris, and Ymir.
• Gods with Teamfight Presence⁚ Ares excels at initiating team fights. Pairing him with gods that thrive in team fights, like warriors or tanks, allows them to maximize their impact and control the flow of battle. Examples include gods like Cu Chulainn, King Arthur, and Bellona.
• Gods with High Mobility⁚ Ares can be vulnerable to ganks. Teaming up with gods that provide high mobility, like assassins or hunters, allows them to quickly respond to threats and protect Ares. Examples include gods like Loki, Mercury, and Artemis.

By strategically combining Ares with these synergistic gods, you can create a formidable force that can overwhelm opponents and dominate the battlefield.