SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained is a new column dedicated to introducing prospective players of SMITE to its massive back story of lore. From the Greek to Hindu, each week we’ll look at two characters from a major pantheon and provide a quick recap of their history and in what capacity their digital incarnation will represent on the field of Hi-Rez Studios’ upcoming MOBA.
Lore: Hades and his siblings, Zeus and Poseidon, challenged and defeated the Titans in the Titanomachy, a divine war. Hades, the eldest male child of Cronus and Rhea, titans in their own respect, became one of the original Olympian gods along with his siblings upon their victory. After ten years of war victory allowed the three males to divide realms of rule. Hades drew the underworld realm, home to the souls of the departed and all that dwell there, making him King of the Underworld.
Rarely portrayed as a evil, Hades took his job of King very seriously. The passive god saw his objective as keeping balance in the world, separating the living from the dead as needed. Erbus, colloquially called Hades after its king, was not to be confused with Tartarus, the modern notion of Hell. Few mortals were ever allowed within its grounds. Fewer still left. Hades rage was most sparked when outsiders attempted to circumvent their fate or that of loved ones. His ferocity during the Titanomacy and defending his realm immortalized Cerberus and his bident.
Hades’ most infamous deed, one of selfishness and undeniable evil, was his abduction of his niece Persephone as his consort. Knowing Demeter would have Zeus step in, Hades tricked Demeter into casting off her daughter a third of the year, thus delivering the season of winter to mortal man.
In-Game: Hades is a ranged magical caster with great movement and disables. His normal attack stacks Blight on enemies, inflicting additional effects when a skillshot is landed. Primarily a support caster based upon Blight applications, Hades is one of the more difficult gods to master. The King of the Underworld specializes in AoE abilities that trigger disables, from fear to slow to defense reduction to healing allies, if the target has Blight. Thus, keeping Hades’ basic attack applied to gods and minions is a must.
Hades is weak in solo fights and cannot defend effectively against gank attempts. Capable of initiating and diving, stacking magical damage and health are a must.
Further reading:
- Hades on Wikipedia
- Greek Mythology on Wikipedia
- Homeric Hymns
- Hades on Theoi Project
Head over to SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained for access to details for all of the playable characters.