Smite Healing Mages: A Push for Support Roles in the Godly Arena

As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can attest to the ever-evolving landscape of multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs). Smite 2 has been a constant source of excitement and anticipation for me, as I eagerly await its release and the potential changes it brings. The recent debate about healing mages stepping out of the tank-dominated meta to become official support roles has sparked my interest, not just because I’m intrigued by the concept but also because of my personal history with these characters.


In Smite, the arena is not just a battleground for gods, but also a stage for intellectual debate among its devoted community. A current topic of discussion is the function of healing mages as supports. User jolieguti proposed a change in Smite 2, suggesting that healers like Chang’e could move away from the tank-centric meta and instead assume their rightful role as supportive mages, similar to the enchanting characters found in other MOBAs. Some players yearned for healing mages to be recognized as official support characters, while others debated the potential impact on balance and feasibility of this idea within a game dominated by tanks. The lively discussion reflects a blend of optimism and caution among players regarding the future role of healing mages in the game.

Legalize and make Healers Mages Possible as Supports
byu/jolieguti inSmite

Summary

  • The desire for healing mages like Chang’e to become recognized support roles in Smite 2 sparked lively discussion.
  • Debaters are divided on the practicality of enabling non-tank supports due to balance concerns.
  • Players reflect on personal experiences with healing mages in support, indicating a complexity to their viability.
  • Several users offer potential reworks and ideas that could allow healing mages to flourish without disrupting game balance.

The Call for Change

The initial post by jolieguti outlines a longing for healing mages to have a defined spot in the support roll. Fans feel that characters like Chang’e were designed to offer healing support initially, although those abilities were stripped to create a more competitive midlane mage. The frustration surrounding the current tank meta looms large, with players feeling overwhelmed by their complexity and durability. Responses to the post show a shared animus toward this stalemate; one user, Mon_Keedik, mentioned needing hard crowd control (CC) to make healing mages functional within teams, challenging the original premise that mages could offer effective healing in the competitive support role. This discussion illuminates that while there’s enthusiasm for change, implementing it without imbalance can be tricky.

Balancing Act: Healing vs. Utility

Users expressed concerns that introing healing mages into support roles could skew the balance of gameplay. Hartmann_AoE questioned whether this could lead to enjoyable matches, suggesting that too many squishy characters could create vulnerability for the team and make matches less engaging. The current meta demands a blend of tanky frontliners and damage dealers, creating uncertainty over whether stealthy or ‘squishy’ mages could sustain themselves in the chaos of battle. Players agree that without a solid frontline, healing mages would face significant challenges and reaffirmed the need for hard CC to maintain pressure and defend against enemy engages. This role blending creates a level of tension for the community; should mages take a hit in damage for utility, or should tanks let up on their impressive outputs to accommodate healing supports?

Personal Experiences and Historical Context

A large part of the conversation centered around personal tales of encountering healing mages in past gaming phases. Some gamers fondly recalled times when characters like Hel were effective as supports. Deci_Valentine brought up the ‘healer meta’ from Season 4, where gameplay strategies leaned heavily on healing, making games reliant on counter-healing tactics. This nostalgia and debate over character usefulness showcases a strong bond players feel with their characters—the past experiences and strategies continue to impact their current gameplay perceptions. As gamers discuss healing mages, the underlying question persists: can the game accommodate a wider variety of support options without disrupting its carefully balanced environment?

Potential Reworks and Future Perspectives

There were various suggestions about potential reworks for existing gods to enhance their functionality as healing-oriented supports. One user highlighted the need for new stats focused on increasing healing output specifically. This would validate the support role within the game without tipping the scales in favor of dominant mages. The community surrounding Smite is passionate and resourceful, indicating there exists a clear desire for developing character kits that could allow players to explore these options. Unic_ mentioned how Smite 2 will be a fresh opportunity for god design, focusing on flexibility and unique attributes. As excitement builds for the next iteration of the game, healing mages could finally find a supportive home while still retaining their mythical healing prowess.

In summary, the ongoing debates about the function of healing mages within Smite reveal a deep-seated enthusiasm and diverse perspectives among players. Many players are keen on a gameplay style that caters to utility alongside tanks, expressing concern over potential monotony if tank characters dominate too much. As fans eagerly await Smite 2, the possibility of rejuvenating the healing mage class as supports promises more intricate gameplay experiences. With careful balancing, these divine characters could potentially introduce a fresh and exciting era without being excessively powerful or inefficient in battle. The ongoing celestial discussion suggests that the community is far from finished collaborating on the storyline with their revered deities.

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2024-08-19 13:43