Athena Build Guides - Abilities, Items, Combos & More - Open Beta 3

In Smite 2, most Gods are designed to be versatile and can take on multiple roles. Technically, any God can be played in any role, but without proper coordination, placing the wrong God in the wrong role can lead to a challenging match.

While few Gods can effectively perform as both a Jungler and a Support, Athena is one of the rare exceptions. These two roles require vastly different playstyles, yet Athena excels in both. No matter which role she takes, she can have a significant impact and provide valuable support to her team.

In war, there are two kinds of soldiers: those that fight for blood, and those that fight for honor. The first crave the clash of steel and smell of slaughter, the latter know the wisdom of justice, the kindness of mercy, and that life should never be taken wantonly. These different warriors seek different Gods. Ares, God of War revels in the bloodletting, but his sister, Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, is patron to those who fight with dignity, and only when there is no other alternative. Favored daughter of Zeus, wise as ten thousand scholars, just as the scales themselves; Athena is a paragon of incorruptible virtue, and worshipped with righteous fervor. So revered is she that Athens, greatest city in all the world, is named for her, and regal temples adorn the countryside in her honor, each tended by loyal priestesses. To Athena, a life is a precious thing that need not be wasted in frivolous battle. Bloodthirsty Ares, on the other hand, is reviled by their father and chained by his ravenous subjects.

At the Siege of Troy, Ares disobeyed Zeus and joined with the battle, fighting for the mortal Trojans. Athena rose to stop him, indirectly championing the Greeks, but directly keeping the order of divine law. Their fierce battle clashed in unspeakable proportions, ending only when Ares limped from the battle field, cowed by his sister and rival. With Ares diminished, the tide of the war shifted and the heroes of the Greek Army toppled Troy. In times of war, prayers are sent to both Gods. Ares, for bloodstained victory, Athena for honor, valor, and the wisdom to fight with dignity. Make no mistake, these are times of war, and Ares has already answered the call to arms. Athena, ever cautious with lives, goes to battle without eagerness, but solemn necessity, for the Goddess of Wisdom knows honor is for the living. The dead have no need of it.

1. Passive Ability: Reach

After each ability activation, your next basic attack becomes a projectile that deals Physical Damage.

Reach is certainly not the best passive ability out there, but it can have some utility, particularly when using Athena in a more aggressive way. That range can help Athena finish off a retreating enemy, for instance. This is particularly true if it's used immediately after her movement ability, Dash, launches her toward a target.

2. Ability 1: Preemptive Strike

Dash forward to deal Physical Damage and Slow enemies after a brief buildup.

As with most movement-style abilities, Preemptive Strike is multi-faceted. Ideally, this is going to be used offensively. It's a perfect opener to a fight, especially against an enemy God. It can also limit their retreat options immediately after, making it great for finishing off a low-health God.

It can also be used defensively, as a means to escape. This ability is a little more adept at this than some other movement-style abilities because of the short charge-up time, but it can still get the job done, particularly against Gods who don't have a movement ability of their own.

3. Ability 2: Confound

Deal Magical Damage and Taunt enemies in front of you.

Confound can do a lot for a team when used appropriately. In general, enemy minions are going to attack friendly minions, and both of their health is going to be lowered in the process. Taunting the enemy minions forces them to attack you, meaning when the enemy minions are defeated, your minions will still be at high health as they move further toward an enemy Tower.

Generally, this is going to be more useful when Athena is used as a Support character. That said, it can be useful as a Jungler, on a case-by-case basis. Every once in a while you'll have a friendly God traipsing into the Jungle as well, and keeping the higher-powered enemies of the Jungle off of them can keep them alive.

4. Ability 3: Shield Wall

Create a Phalanx of Soldiers that deals Magical Damage to enemies. After a delay they deal Magical Damage to enemies before disappearing.

Shield Wall is a great ability when Athena is surrounded by enemies, whether they're minions or Gods. It blankets an area of 3.2 meters around Athena, putting anybody in the vicinity in danger.

Enemies can pass through these spectral soldiers, so it cannot block advances. But all told, it deals a considerable amount of damage across the two attacks, and any attack that inflicts slow is going to be a problem for enemies to deal with.

5. Ability 4: Defender of Olympus

Channel and Shield an ally. When the channel completes, Teleport to their location. Deal Magical Damage to enemies upon landing.

Defender Of Olympus is a great ability, particularly for a Support God. If you're keeping an eye not just on your Duo Lane partner's health, but the health of your entire team, you can use this to give backup to any ally that needs it.

There is a high cooldown on this, so be sure to make the most of it, each time it is used. If possible, use that number advantage you gain to defeat a God, or at least force them to fully retreat.

• Skill 1 + Skill 3 + Skill 2.
• Skill 4 + Skill 3 + Skill 2 + Skill 1.
• Skill 4 + Skill 3 + Skill 2 + Skill 1.

Athena can go Solo Lane or Duo Lane – Support.

Athena has strong fighting ability, so focus damage on low-health enemies in the back to destroy them quickly.

If you like a Guardian, choose Athena.

What are the abilities of Athena in Smite?

• Athena smite is known as Goddess Of Wisdom, taking on the role of Guardian with Easy difficulty. Athena’s passive is Reach, skill 1 is Preemptive Strike, skill 2 is Confound, skill 3 is Shield Wall and ultimate is Defender of Olympus.

Best Relics for Athena in Smite 2?

• Sundering Arc, Blink Rune.

Best Items for Athena in Smite 2?

• Stone of Binding, Spirit Robe, Gauntlet of Thebes.