Smite 2: Hercules Build Guides - Closed Alpha 6

Hercules, the legendary hero of Greco-Roman mythology, is renowned for his incredible strength and heroic feats, making him one of the most iconic figures in ancient lore. In Smite 2, Hercules brings his mighty power to the battlefield as a frontline warrior capable of both dealing and absorbing massive damage.

Role: Warrior Hercules excels in the solo lane, leveraging his exceptional crowd control abilities, high durability, and substantial sustain to dominate his opponents. His kit is designed to punish enemies who challenge his strength, making him a formidable tanky bruiser who can deal massive damage while shrugging off blows.

Abilities Overview: Passive – Apotheosis Hercules gains stacks of physical protection and damage for every enemy he hits with his abilities, reinforcing his unstoppable nature in prolonged fights.

1st Ability – Driving Strike Hercules charges forward, knocking back and stunning all enemies in his path. This powerful initiation tool allows him to isolate targets or interrupt enemy abilities, giving him control over team fights.

2nd Ability – Earthbreaker Hercules slams the ground with such force that it sends enemies flying toward him. This ability pairs well with Driving Strike, allowing Hercules to pull enemies into dangerous positions and deal extra damage.

3rd Ability – Mitigate Wounds Hercules regenerates a portion of the damage he’s taken over a short period. This healing ability provides great sustain in lane and during fights, enabling Hercules to stay in combat longer than most gods.

Ultimate – Excavate Hercules uproots a massive boulder and hurls it forward, damaging and knocking back all enemies it hits. The boulder can bounce, dealing additional damage and causing havoc in clustered team fights.

Playstyle: Hercules thrives in close-quarters combat, using his knock-ups, crowd control, and healing to outlast and overpower his opponents. His ability to control the battlefield with his disruptive abilities makes him a key initiator and tank, especially in team fights.

If you enjoy playing a relentless warrior who can withstand massive damage while dishing it out in return, Hercules is the god for you!

Hercules offers a unique combination of strength, durability, and crowd control, making him a top pick for players who enjoy dominating both in the solo lane and during team fights. Here are several reasons why you should consider playing Hercules in Smite 2:

1. High Sustain and Durability Hercules excels at surviving in prolonged fights. His ability, Mitigate Wounds, allows him to heal a portion of the damage he takes, giving him immense sustain in lane and during skirmishes. This makes him difficult to push out of lane and hard to kill in team fights, allowing him to maintain constant pressure.

2. Strong Crowd Control Hercules has multiple forms of crowd control that can turn the tide of battle. His Driving Strike and Earthbreaker combo can stun, knock back, and reposition enemies, isolating key targets or protecting teammates. This utility makes him an effective initiator and disruptor in team fights.

3. Punishing Damage While Hercules is a tanky warrior, he also deals significant damage. His abilities, particularly Driving Strike and Excavate, deal heavy burst damage, making him a threat in the early, mid, and late game. He can quickly take down squishy enemies or peel for his teammates by punishing overextended opponents.

4. Flexible Playstyle Hercules can fit multiple roles within a team. As a solo laner, he excels at trading blows with enemy warriors and controlling the lane. In the mid and late game, he transitions into a frontline tank, soaking up damage while disrupting the enemy team. His versatility allows him to adapt to different team compositions and strategies.

5. Momentum Control Hercules thrives on controlling the pace of fights. His Earthbreaker pulls enemies into dangerous positions, while his Driving Strike can knock back and stun, setting up his team for kills or saving allies. His Excavate ultimate, a massive boulder, can create chaos in team fights by bouncing between enemies, dealing massive damage and knocking them back.

6. Beginner-Friendly with Depth Hercules is relatively easy to pick up, making him a solid choice for players new to the Warrior role or Smite 2. His straightforward kit offers power and durability, but mastering the precise timing of his crowd control and positioning his combos requires skill. This gives Hercules long-term playability for both beginners and experienced players.

7. Immense Carry Potential In the hands of a skilled player, Hercules can carry games through sheer force and presence. His disruptive abilities, paired with his tankiness and healing, allow him to dive deep into enemy lines, disrupt their formations, and emerge victorious.

If you enjoy playing a hero who can control the battlefield, absorb damage like a tank, and deal heavy blows, Hercules will be a rewarding and fun god to master in Smite 2!

1. Hercules Strengths:

• High Sustain: Hercules’ Mitigate Wounds ability allows him to heal a significant portion of the damage he takes, making him incredibly hard to kill, especially in extended fights. This sustain allows him to remain in lane longer and become a persistent threat in team fights.

• Powerful Crowd Control: Hercules excels at controlling enemies with his Driving Strike and Earthbreaker combo. These abilities can knock back, stun, and pull enemies, making him an excellent initiator and disruptor in team fights.

• Strong Burst Damage: Despite being a tanky warrior, Hercules packs a punch with his abilities. Driving Strike and Excavate deal heavy burst damage, allowing him to punish opponents and create openings for his team.

• Flexible Playstyle: Hercules can switch between offensive and defensive roles depending on the situation. He can peel for teammates, initiate fights, or dive into the enemy backline. This versatility makes him valuable in various team compositions.

• Lane Dominance: Hercules’ sustain, durability, and crowd control make him a dominant force in the solo lane. He can win trades against most opponents, push the wave effectively, and control lane pressure.

• Tankiness with Damage: Hercules combines tank-like resilience with significant damage output, making him a hybrid of sorts. This combination allows him to withstand damage while dishing it out in return, making him a constant presence in fights.

2. Hercules Weaknesses:

• Skill Shot Reliance: Hercules' key abilities, like Earthbreaker and Driving Strike, require precise aim and positioning. If you miss these, it can heavily reduce your effectiveness in both lane trades and team fights.

• Weak to Crowd Control: Although Hercules is tanky, he can be vulnerable to hard crowd control (stuns, silences, etc.). If caught in a chain of CC, Hercules can struggle to activate his Mitigate Wounds or escape dangerous situations.

• Dependent on Ability Combos: Hercules shines when he can successfully pull off his ability combos, such as landing Earthbreaker followed by Driving Strike. If these combos are interrupted or missed, his impact in fights can be significantly reduced.

• Mana Hungry Early Game: Hercules’ abilities, especially in the early game, consume a lot of mana. This can lead to him running out of resources quickly if not managed properly, forcing him to play more cautiously or back to base often.

• Mediocre Mobility: While Driving Strike gives Hercules some mobility, he lacks a true escape mechanism. Once committed to a fight, it’s difficult for him to disengage without proper support from his team.

• Vulnerable to Poke Damage: Since Hercules relies on close-range combat, he can struggle against gods with high poke damage or ranged harassment. His sustain helps, but prolonged poke before fights can force him to retreat before he can engage.

Understanding these strengths and weaknesses will help you play Hercules more effectively, maximizing his powerful combos and sustain while managing his limitations.

1. Hercules Solo (Tank):

• Driving Strike (ABILITY 1): 2-7-11-12-15
• Earthbreaker (ABILITY 2): 3-14-16-18-19
• Mitigate Wounds (ABILITY 3): 1-4-6-8-10
• Excavate (ABILITY 4): 5-9-13-17-20

2. Hercules Jungle:

• Driving Strike (ABILITY 1): 1-4-6-8-10
• Earthbreaker (ABILITY 2): 2-7-11-12-15
• Mitigate Wounds (ABILITY 3): 3-14-16-18-19
• Excavate (ABILITY 4): 5-9-13-17-20

• ABILITY 1 + ABILITY 2 + ABILITY 2 + 3x AA + ABILITY 4

Hercules is a powerful and versatile warrior in Smite 2, capable of turning the tide of battle with his immense strength, crowd control, and sustain. His ability to withstand damage and dish it out in return makes him a formidable presence on the battlefield. Whether you're looking to dominate in the solo lane or initiate crucial team fights, Hercules brings a balance of tankiness, damage, and utility that few gods can match.

However, mastering Hercules requires precise timing and positioning, as missing key abilities can hinder his effectiveness. While he thrives in close-quarters combat, he can be vulnerable to ranged poke and crowd control. Despite these weaknesses, Hercules' ability to control the pace of fights and his relentless durability make him a rewarding pick for players who enjoy aggressive and high-impact gameplay.

If you seek a warrior who can single-handedly disrupt the enemy team while sustaining through prolonged engagements, Hercules is the god to choose!