The next patch for Smite is almost here, and it represents a big milestone for the MOBA as the game adds its 60th god, the new and improved Ao Kuang. Also on the docket are a revamped friend referral system and a new system that lets players rate servers and matchmaking.
Get The Full Details About Ao Kuang's Shiny New Kit And Abilities
The most obvious addition in the upcoming patch is the glorious return of Ao Kuang to the Smite battlefield. Previously taken out of the game to be replaced by the Mayan god Kukulkan, Ao Kuang has come back as a sword-toting melee mage with a kit that focuses on dealing serious burst damage to one unlucky opponent.
Another big change to the game will be the retooled friend referral system. With the new system, players will get increasingly lucrative bonuses as each friend they've referred to the game reaches level 15. Starting out with a 1,000 Favor bonus after the first referred friend reaches level 15, the bonus grows to a whole 400 Gems for having 10 referred friends reach the milestone. The new Tyr skin, Sock PuppeTyr, will be given free as one of these bonuses.
Smite's Console Version Should Be Here By Mid-2015
Both friends in the referral relationship will also get Favor bonuses when the referred friend reaches certain levels, starting at level 10 and going up to level 30 in five-level increments. Friends will also get Favor and Gem bonuses for playing in games with their referrals for certain lengths of time. For example, playing for five hours with someone you referred to the game nets both of you 1,000 Favor.
Another fresh addition to the game is a system that will allow players to rate servers and matchmaking at the end of matches. After every match, players will have the option to rate the server they just played on, which will allow developer Hi-Rez to see when specific servers are acting up. After some games, players will be also prompted to rate that round's matchmaking. With the recent changes to how matchmaking works in Smite, these ratings will help the developers learn when the system pairs you with players of appropriate skill and when it unceremoniously dumps you in a semi-pro match that's way out of your league.
Finally, the upcoming patch is handing out a couple of nerfs and buffs to various gods that needed balancing. Freya and Mercury were both nerfed to fix an issue where they were sometimes allowed to get in two or more free hits on an enemy without any possible counter. Nu Wa and Serqet were also nerfed to take away their previously overpowered damage-dealing abilities in higher-level play.
Cupid, however, was given a small buff – his ultimate ability casts more quickly now – to improve his showing in competitive play, while Chronos was buffed to give the god more sustain in the early game.
Smite is free to play for PC.
