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’ new MOBA.
Lore: After a recent romp through some lesser known godly beings – to some circles, of course – we’ve returned to the core group from the Greek pantheon with none other than Medusa, the snake-headed gazer. The defining being of the race of Gorgon, Medusa has a storied history with a few origin stories. One of three snake-haired sisters, it matters little if she began her terror as a fair maiden raped by Poseidon then beset by Athena or the horrific being we’ve taken from antiquity. The squabbles of Greek historians is beside the point. What is important, perhaps most important, is that she was the sole mortal of the triplets. Despite the immortality received by Stheno and Euryale pale in historical comparison. And it may be exactly because they could not perish.
Perseus, at the direction of King Polydectes, was sent to collect Medusa’s head. A hero does what a king demands, but the fledgling hero long to be known to history ever after had help. Athena granted him with a mirrored shield. From Hermes he received winged sandals to speed him along in his quest. Hades lent his helm of invisibility and Hephaestus a sword. Utilizing these gifts and his intelligence Perseus slew Medusa by targeting her from the reflection in his shield, thus averting her stony gaze. Upon her death her children by Poseidon burst forth width, Pegasus, the winged horse, and Chrysaor, the swordsgiant entered the world.
In-Game: Hi-Rez Studios designed Medusa to be the high-burst damage god that has always been craved. At least by the dev team. She unleashes her deadly fury from a small distance. One that keeps her close enough to stun those in her frontal cone should her mask be temporarily removed. In the interim of such devastating combos Medusa continues her assault with projectile venomous snakes and some of the best local mobility available in SMITE.
Medusa has a role. It’s high single target damage. Any and all players of a Gorgon must internalize that to litter the map with statues to warn others of her power. Focusing on damage will dramatically compound the pain from abilities and increasing cooldown reduction will ensure you can continue to throw out those crushing blows. Head down the Devourer’s Gauntlet and Deathbringer line for core damage with the likes of Ichaival or Witchblade to ensure the pain doesn’t let up.
Lest you forgot, Medusa is an innate counter to healers thanks to Lacerate reducing its effectiveness.
Further reading:
- Medusa on Wikipedia
- Greek Mythology on Wikipedia
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Head over to SMITE: Demigods, Deities and Gods Explained for details on all of the playable characters.