Sobek Introduction (Smite 2)
In Smite 2, Sobek is a playable god inspired by the ancient Egyptian deity of the Nile and protector of the people, often depicted as a crocodile or a man with a crocodile head. Known as the "God of the Nile," Sobek is revered as a god of water, fertility, and military prowess, embodying the powerful, ferocious traits of the Nile crocodile. His mythological role as a guardian extends to both gods and mortals, where he is seen as a fierce defender who also provides for those in his care.
In Smite 2, Sobek fills a guardian role with an aggressive playstyle, often initiating fights and disrupting enemy lines. His abilities include a variety of crowd-control effects and powerful physical attacks:
Blessing of the Nile: When Sobek deals damage he gains a stack of protections. Abilities can only provide one stack per cast.
Charge Prey - Sobek dashes forward. The first enemy hit takes Magical Damage and stops the dash. Sobek then flings the enemy behind him.
Tail Whip - Spin your tail, dealing Magical Damage in an area around Sobek. Damaged enemies are Displaced away from Sobek.
Sickening Strike - Sobek strikes in front of himself. This strike deals Magical Damage in a cone and applies Disease, reducing healing received for 5s. Hitting enemies with this ability will reduce the cooldown and heal you.
Lurking in the Waters - Sobek submerges, Slowing enemies nearby and granting you CC Immunity, Protections, and Mana Regeneration. After 4 seconds, emerge dealing Magical Damage to enemies in range. You may cancel this ability early, dealing less damage. Sobek will execute enemies in range, if they are below a certain health threshold.
Sobek is known for his tankiness and disruptive potential in matches, often used to control the battlefield and protect allies while initiating or peeling for his team. His presence reflects the powerful, fierce nature of the Nile’s waters, embodying both creation and destruction in equal measure.
Why Play Sobek?
Playing Sobek in Smite 2 offers a unique experience that combines tankiness, crowd control, and aggressive initiation potential, making him a great pick for players who enjoy disrupting enemy teams and protecting their allies. Here are some of the main reasons why you might want to play Sobek:
- High Crowd Control and Utility
Sobek’s kit is loaded with crowd control effects that can greatly impact team fights. Charge Prey allows him to pull an enemy out of position, Tail Whip can knock enemies back to create space, and Sickening Strike reduces enemy healing. These abilities are perfect for setting up plays and protecting teammates.
- Strong Initiation
Sobek’s Charge Prey lets him dive into enemy lines and isolate key targets, disrupting enemy formations and creating opportunities for his team. This initiation tool is great for engaging and can force opponents to rethink their positioning, making it perfect for initiating fights or capitalizing on enemy mistakes.
- Durability and Sustain
As a Guardian, Sobek has a high health pool and natural tankiness, making him ideal for soaking up damage. His abilities also help with sustain: Sickening Strike provides some healing, allowing him to stay in fights longer, and his ultimate, Lurking in the Waters, increases his protections, making him even harder to take down while dealing damage.
- Aggressive Playstyle for a Guardian
Unlike many Guardians who focus primarily on defense, Sobek’s playstyle rewards aggressive positioning and constant engagement. His combination of crowd control, high base damage, and tankiness allows him to both initiate fights and survive in the fray, making him a strong choice for players who enjoy being in the thick of the action.
- Disruption and Zone Control
Sobek’s presence alone can force enemies to spread out, as his Charge Prey can easily punish clustered enemies. His ultimate, Lurking in the Waters, creates a large area of danger that opponents will want to avoid, allowing him to control zones effectively and prevent enemies from getting too close to his teammates.
- Adaptable in Various Roles
While primarily played as a Support, Sobek can also be a strong pick in Solo Lane due to his self-heal and sustain. His versatility in these roles allows players to adjust their strategy based on the team composition, providing options to flex into different playstyles depending on what the team needs.
Summary: Sobek is an excellent pick if you’re looking to play an aggressive Guardian with strong crowd control, durable defenses, and plenty of tools for initiation and disruption. He’s ideal for players who want to be on the front lines, creating opportunities for their team while tanking damage and causing chaos for the enemy.
Sobek Strengths and Weaknesses
Here’s a breakdown of Sobek’s key strengths and weaknesses in Smite 2 to help you get a sense of when and how to maximize his potential.
- Strengths
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Excellent Crowd Control Sobek’s abilities are loaded with crowd control effects. Charge Prey allows him to throw enemies out of position, Tail Whip can knock back enemies, and Sickening Strike reduces healing. This arsenal of CC lets Sobek disrupt enemies consistently in fights.
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Strong Initiation Potential Sobek is one of the best initiators among Guardians. Charge Prey gives him a reliable way to start fights by flinging an enemy into his team, often forcing enemies to burn defensive abilities or reposition, setting up his team for follow-up.
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Sustain and Durability Sobek’s Sickening Strike provides him with a bit of healing each time it hits an enemy god, and his ultimate, Lurking in the Waters, increases his protections, making him difficult to kill and allowing him to survive long engagements or escape from dangerous situations.
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Area Denial and Zone Control Sobek’s ultimate ability, Lurking in the Waters, forces enemies to move away from its area of effect, granting Sobek control over key zones in fights. This makes him useful for protecting objectives and helping his team secure space.
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Versatile Playstyle Although Sobek is mainly played as a Support, he can also be effective in the Solo Lane thanks to his sustain and crowd control, adding flexibility to team compositions.
- Weaknesses
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High Mana Costs Sobek’s abilities are expensive in terms of mana, especially in the early game. Without careful management or mana-boosting items, he can find himself running out of resources quickly, limiting his impact in prolonged fights.
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Skill-Dependent Many of Sobek’s abilities require precise aiming and positioning. Charge Prey and Tail Whip both need to be timed and aimed carefully to avoid pulling enemies the wrong way or missing altogether. This makes him challenging for newer players.
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Lack of Mobility Despite his tankiness, Sobek has limited escape options. Charge Prey can be used defensively, but it’s primarily an engagement tool, so using it to escape can leave him unable to initiate. This makes him vulnerable to enemy crowd control and slows, especially when his ultimate is down.
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Vulnerable to Anti-Heal Sobek’s sustain relies on his Sickening Strike, which can be countered with anti-healing effects from items like Divine Ruin or abilities that reduce healing. This can reduce his longevity in fights and weaken his effectiveness in prolonged engagements.
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Falls Off in Damage Late Game While Sobek has decent early-game damage for a Guardian, he struggles to do meaningful damage late game without sacrificing durability. His main role in the late game becomes crowd control and protection rather than dealing damage.
Summary: Sobek’s strengths lie in his ability to control fights, initiate effectively, and tank damage for his team. He excels in early- and mid-game phases, where his crowd control and durability make him a formidable force. However, his weaknesses in mobility, mana consumption, and dependence on skill shots make him vulnerable if not played carefully.
Sobek Abilities
Sobek Ability Leveling Order
#Support:
- Charge Prey (ABILITY 1): 2-7-11-14-15
- Tail Whip (ABILITY 2): 1-4-6-8-10
- Sickening Strike (ABILITY 3): 3-12-16-18-19
- Lurking in the Waters (ABILITY 4): 5-9-13-17-20
#Solo/Jungle:
- Charge Prey (ABILITY 1): 2-7-11-14-15
- Tail Whip (ABILITY 2): 3-12-16-18-19
- Sickening Strike (ABILITY 3): 1-4-6-8-10
- Lurking in the Waters (ABILITY 4): 5-9-13-17-20
Sobek Ability Combos
- Basic: ABILITY 1 + ABILITY 3
- Hard: ABILITY 4 + ABILITY 3 + ABILITY 1
Sobek Items
Conclusion: Sobek
In Smite 2, Sobek is a powerhouse Guardian that excels at controlling the battlefield with his mix of crowd control, sustain, and disruptive abilities. His unique blend of aggression and tankiness makes him a reliable initiator and protector for his team, capable of throwing enemies out of position and creating space in team fights. While Sobek requires precise timing and mana management to play effectively, his strengths in early and mid-game engagements make him a valuable asset for setting up plays and defending allies. For players who enjoy an aggressive playstyle with a focus on disruption and initiation, Sobek offers a rewarding and impactful experience.