All SMITE 1 and SMITE 2 differences, explained

It’s been 10 years since SMITE 1 came out in March 2014, and now, in 2024, we’re getting SMITE 2. In hopes that this isn’t an Overwatch 2 situation, I’m going to detail all the differences between SMITE 1 and SMITE 2 that warrant the sequel.

What are all the SMITE 2 changes?

SMITE 2 takes the beloved action MOBA formula forged in SMITE 1 to the next level. For those that want the TL;DR, here are the main bullet point changes that SMITE 2 brings:

Related: How to sign up for Smite 2 Alpha playtest

• General
  • Camera movement improvements
  • Ability animation improvements
  • Revamped visual FX for every ability
  • Snappier character animations
  • Redesigned UI
  • Unreal Engine 5
  • DualSense integration
• Gameplay
  • Gods aren’t classified as physical or magical. All Gods can purchase Strength or Intelligence items to customize their playstyle.
  • Active Abilities, or Relics, are becoming items. Any God can buy an Item to equip any Active Ability.
  • The Conquest map has many new twists. These include backdoors, defeated jungle objectives granting your team special powers, stealth grass, siege minion waves, an evolving jungle, and more.

Will SMITE 1 become SMITE 2?

Hi-Rez Studios took a page from the Overwatch 2 launch and decided that SMITE 2 will not replace SMITE 1. SMITE 2 is a full sequel, meaning when it launches, people can still play SMITE 1 because it’s a separate game.

Everything from SMITE 1, including gems, skins, and achievements, will transfer over to SMITE 2, but SMITE 1 will remain a standalone game people can enjoy. It’s important to Hi-Rez Studios that every hour and dollar spent on SMITE 1 transfers over to SMITE 2, which is refreshing.

Is SMITE 2 a true sequel?

While SMITE 2’s marketing is being called a “true sequel” — and yes, by definition, it is a true sequel — SMITE 2 seems like SMITE 1 but with a shiny new paint job. There’s not much that is fundamentally different from SMITE 1 to SMITE 2. More information about SMITE 2 will come down the pike with time, but at first glance, SMITE 2 doesn’t feel all that different.