SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained – Loki

SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained is a 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: Loki is arguably the best known antagonist of any pantheon. Rarely encroaching upon the gray area of good and evil, The Trickster is the recurring antagonist of the Norse pantheon. Originally a more neutral god, Loki sealed his fate as an evildoer when he arranged the death of Baldr. Capable of shapeshifting, the easier to deceive his prey, Loki has swam as a salmon, flown as a fly and walked the earth as an elderly women.

Loki was not highborn like some others of his repute. However, his seed was sown into history through the two-sided Hel, giant wolf Fenrir and the world serpent Jörmungandr. His laundry list of dastardly acts made his own entry into legend assured.

First tricking Hodr to slay his brother Baldr, Loki transformed into an elderly lady when Hel offered Baldr his life should everyone approve of the God of Light. Refusing to mourn his death, the crone’s callousness sealed Baldr’s fate. Upon discovery of Loki’s elaborate plan, the pantheon bound him by his son’s entrails and perched a venomous cobra above his head. His wife, Sigyn, tended to a bowl to catch the poison. Unfortunately for Loki, she wasn’t smart enough to have a bowl ready when the other had to be emptied, causing him to shake the world with his agony as venom hit skin.

Before his death, Baldr foretold that his demise would be the first step towards Ragnarök. The gods now walk on eggshells, wondering when Loki will escape, encounter Heimdallr and begin the world’s destruction. Taking each other, Thor, Odin and countless others during the mayhem.

In-Game: Loki is a melee DPS deity best described as a rogue. Receiving a damage bonus for being behind his target during attacks and capable of temporary stealth, Loki is a powerful laner and capable of jungling. Weak early and with few disables, players should be patient with the Trickster bidding their time for a quick Vanish and Aimed Strike to finish low heroes or act as an initiate. His Assassinate ultimate allows him to be far more aggressive as the game progresses.

Players would be wise to compensate for low physical defense and health with Healing Potions early. Warrior Tabi for damage and speed are best paired with additional speed and physical items. Complementing raw damage with attack speed and on-attack modifiers such as slow or added magic damage make Loki a well rounded assassin and an incredibly fearsome late game carry. Accepting less straight damage for some physical lifesteal is a viable alternative.

Further reading:

• Loki on Wikipedia
• Norse Mythology on Wikipedia
• Poetic Edda by Snorri Sturluson
• Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson

Head over to SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained for details on all of the playable characters.