Why Support is the Most Hated Role in Smite: A Deep Dive

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In the well-known multiplayer online battle arena game, Smite, known for its intense and occasionally chaotic team battles, there’s been a lot of talk about the role of supports. In a recent forum post on a specialized subreddit, user regalninja voiced their concerns about support players in lower skill levels (ELO), describing how their fellow gamers often desert the support role for characters focused on damage, which can create an unbalanced team and lead to losses. This topic delves into broader issues like heroism, assumptions, and the psychological strain of supporting a team, especially when teammates fail to contribute. The conversation has sparked a passionate argument among players about why supports receive such negative feedback and what it really means to be a team player in Smite.

Summary

  • Support players often face criticism because their role is inherently less flashy, with fewer opportunities to “carry” the game compared to damage dealers.
  • Players frequently look for someone to blame when things go wrong, and support players often catch the short end of the stick.
  • The dynamics of solo queue can lead to frustrations, where lack of teamwork makes it difficult for supports to thrive.
  • Despite their pivotal role, supports rarely receive credit for enabling victories, which contributes to their overall discontent.

The Burden of Being the Unsung Hero

If you’ve ever participated in a team game, you might have come across the term “support” and felt it was as inspiring as a farewell speech. Typically, players gravitate towards fearless damage dealers and charismatic assassins, yearning for heroics and critical hits. However, when it comes to support roles, they often find themselves in obscurity without any awards. Flyingmoe123 aptly expressed this perspective, noting that people usually aspire to be “Batman, not Robin.” They desire the kills, the acclaim, and all the thrilling moves, but in doing so, they frequently undervalue the diligent work of support players who are tirelessly ensuring their teammates excel.

Regalninja’s post highlights a consistent issue faced by players in lower ELO: they often forsake their support roles to play characters capable of earning kills instead. Unintentionally, this decision puts the team’s victory at risk. This pattern of blaming others can erode the fun from gameplay. A user succinctly expressed this sentiment saying, “Typically, you get fewer kills and end up getting most of the blame.” It seems that the support role is vital yet often underestimated, which intensifies the bitterness among those who play it.

Team Dynamics and Emotional Labor

Support players often face immense mental pressure due to their role in the game. For instance, if a player executes a flawless strategy, but their ADC (Attack Damage Carry) remains at full health and doesn’t participate in a skirmish, or even chases an enemy while the rest of the team gets overwhelmed, it can make the efforts of the support seem insignificant. HairyNutsack69 vividly illustrates this predicament, expressing frustration over the fact that nothing is more aggravating than having a favorable team fight situation, only to see the ADC not contribute to the battle.

Support players’ emotional efforts often go unacknowledged, even though they may excel at disengaging enemies from their teammates or placing vital wards to secure the team. However, when a game doesn’t turn out as expected, these contributions can be overlooked and replaced with criticism. This leads many support main players to comment, “I only play supports if I’m playing with friends.” The unpredictability of solo queue can transform what should be a gratifying experience into a tumultuous ride of annoyance and dismay. It’s a delicate equilibrium that numerous players grapple with, where success is not solely dependent on individual skill but also on the team’s harmony.

Weight of Expectations and Realizations

A supporter’s role in a game like Smite is crucial, but their success largely depends on their teammates. Although a support player can create chances for victory, they can’t actually make the winning plays if their teammates don’t take advantage of those opportunities. This means that even when a support player performs exceptionally well, they still need their team to work together and seize the chances created for them to ultimately win.

These revelations can be quite burdensome for a team player’s mental state. The annoyance grows when ineffective communication results in squandered chances, like failing to adjust positions for tower defense while the team repeatedly engages in mid-field fights for the 283rd time. Happily_Doomed echoed similar feelings, bemoaning, “I get so tense and agitated watching us throw away map control for nothing.” This issue underscores a larger problem within the relaxed Smite community, where numerous players fail to grasp the importance of different roles and their role in securing victory. Instead, they often only focus on the scoreboard, linking success or failure strictly to kill counts.

Sticking Together Through Thick and Thin

Regardless of the obstacles experienced by backup players, there is a strong feeling of unity and common goal among them. Many express a deep affection for their role, focusing not only on their personal stories but also acknowledging shared struggles and achievements. LuigiTrapanese sums it up well when he says, “Supports do all the heavy lifting and rarely receive recognition,” encapsulating the spirit of support from the community’s perspective.

Absolutely! Being a support in Smite involves much more than just helping out your teammates; it’s about creating a unified and harmonious game environment among your team members. Developing a good relationship with your carries, whether they are known or new players, while implementing strategies for success is where the heart of a support shines brightest. Although the gaming community may sometimes criticize support players, the true joy often comes from the sense of accomplishment that arises when coordinating winning team plays – an achievement that can easily get overshadowed amidst accusations.

Regardless of ups and downs, backstage players often remain unsung heroes, deriving satisfaction from their roles. Maybe it’s high time for the Smite community to remove the cloud of scorn and acknowledge the indispensable acts these players perform. For a brief instant, let’s pause to acknowledge the silent champions, those unwavering supports that keep the gears of victory in motion, armed with nothing but perseverance, tactical acumen, and keen game sense.

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2025-03-09 22:30