Explain how Duel mode works and give us some tips for winning in SMITE 2!

I think this is the mode where your invidual skills will really be put to the test, it's definitely not for amateurs. Duel mode basically consists of a 1v1 on a single route surrounded by jungle on the sides and your objective is to destroy the enemy structure, reaching the opposing Titan, simple and objective. What makes this mode so punishing? Simple, it's you and only you, your mistakes sometimes cost you a route domination without someone to compensate for your mistake, making every detail a potential snowball. I think this mode is very good for those who want to develop their route, evolve their pure game.

Here's an example of how the map works:

Now that you know how the map works and its purpose, let's move on to selecting the gods. Here you'll have the pick-and-ban phase where both players banish two gods, which adds to the strategy and 1vs1 gameplay. It's not entirely strange that players don't ban natural counters in order to actually play that matchup and increasingly learn how to deal with their counters, turning a lane that would previously have been lost into a real skill matchup lane, or even a real duel against the same god, with the objective of measuring who is the best and has the most dominance playing with him. This is very good, especially, again, for those who want to evolve their game even further in lanes.

Here's an example of how the selection screen works and a good example where two players selected the same gods (I've credited the video at the end of the post, although I only took this print)

Now that you know what the mode is about, how your map works and how the selection of the gods works, what should you do now? Well, play haha. I understand that it's not that simple, so what I can tell you to start with is to select your main objective when playing duel mode, which is generally to evolve your gameplay with specific gods. From there, select a god that you already play and want to optimize your gameplay even more, aiming to become a true master with him, remember to observe his items and other interactions with the opposing gods, especially when you see a god like yours giving you more damage or tanking more, absorb content from his failures.

Take advantage of the map, it will provide you with buffs like Red and Purple, they give you an advantage in fights and map control. There's also the Lost Knight, who can disable enemy structures and give you a penetration buff. However, before you go looking for fights tirelessly and end up dying and blaming me, UNDERSTAND YOUR GOD, understand your gameplay, enjoy the early game and the match up and draw conclusions like “My early game is the best of all the gods, I must take advantage of this since in the late game it declines” or even ‘My early game is weak, I admit that I will have to give in to guarantee a powerful late game’, there is no rule for the game, it is truly learning by experience, always managing your health, mana and potions to the maximum (Remember that you are alone haha).

Therefore, I believe that duel mode is an INCREDIBLE tool when used in the right way, analyzing where your mistakes have been made and really seeking to evolve, it is a very fun mode, I recommend that everyone has at least a minimum experience, sometimes we get frustrated when we find someone who is better with our own main, but take this as an incentive, no one was born knowing how to play and everyone has their own time, it is still a game. Have fun!

I'll also leave you with a video of SamdaDude doing an explanatory gameplay with Aladdin, but don't be fooled into thinking that it's only useful for you who play with him, the visions given during the video provide a good idea of the game for everyone, I recommend it: Teaching YOU about ALADDIN in SMITE 2 DUEL - Smite 2 A-Z Series

Video quoted in the text: Hun Batz HAS A STUN? The New BEST DUEL GOD? T.I.L.T - Smite 2 Duel

Duel mode in SMITE 2 offers a fun 1v1 experience where you won't have a teammate to correct your mistake, because your mistake will probably get you killed, as you face a single opponent on the Joust map. In this mode, you'll find that individual skill, reflexes and resource management are put to the test (I have to say that mine aren't very good, I certainly play better as a team hahaha). The match takes place on a map with a track and an adjacent jungle full of buff camps such as blue, red and purple. In addition, special objectives such as the Lost Knight, which grants a penetration bonus and disables enemy structures, and the Titan, whose destruction guarantees victory, are important points that define this game mode.

Like other modes, the player banishes the gods they don't want to face (two gods are banished per player). This is extremely important to make the mode fairer, as champions who are normally in the meta are banned in this mode. When the game starts, you have several options for your initial approach. You can opt for a safer start, concentrating on clearing waves and collecting buffs gradually, or choose a more aggressive strategy by contesting the red buff, which can provide a significant early advantage and create opportunities for direct confrontations.

It's important that you play with a God you already have practice with, as skill is the most important factor, and building the right items is fundamental to succeeding in Duel mode. It's important to understand not only your strengths and weaknesses, but also those of your opponent. Sometimes realizing that your opponent isn't getting the most out of that God can make it easier for you to take a more aggressive stance in the match. Creating adaptable items is crucial - whether it's incorporating hybrid or tank items to increase your survivability or adding anti-recovery components to combat your opponent's regenerative abilities. Along with effective constructions, controlling buff fields and keeping track of waves on the route will be what defines the match.

Resource management is another vital aspect of the game, as you must carefully balance the use of health, mana and potions without any support from allies (this is nerve-wracking at first, but then you get used to it and start to think more carefully before using a potion). This means that timing your confrontations is crucial; a fight or objective capture at the right time can turn the tide of the match, while an ill-timed confrontation can delay you or define your defeat. Staying calm under pressure and knowing when to press or play conservatively can help you avoid mistakes that are usually very punishing in this mode

Finally, the focus in Duel mode should be on objectives rather than simply racking up kills. Destroying enemy structures and ultimately the Titan are the objectives that will guarantee your victory. Enjoy it, it's a very fun mode!

Game mode

Duel mode is a 1 vs 1 game mode which takes place on the same map as the 3 vs 3 "Jousts", this game mode tests the intelligence in combat and the individual skills of each one, Since there is no team that can support or save you, however it is one of the most competitive in SMITE 1 and exciting without a doubt.

About the game

The game as I said before, takes place on the Joust map, with the jungle and structures in the same place, the Blue, The Red, The Purple, The Knight, the Towers, Phoenixes and Titans, The difference is that you are alone against the enemy, which causes this game mode to be more demanding individually than any other and that before starting the game you will have the option to ban 2 gods so that they cannot be used in the game, as well as the opponent, which is a total of 4 banned gods.

Quick Start

As in Just you can start with the buffs, you can start with the Blue, then the Red, then you clear the wave of minions and then you go for the Purple and return to the line. A more aggressive way is to go straight for the red where most of the time you will have direct confrontation with the enemy and whoever comes out victorious can either clear the wave of minions or go through the purple one through the portal and It is important to mention that the jungle is very important for leveling up, gold farming and fights.

Build and strategy

These are taken into great consideration as it depends a lot on the enemy god you are facing, however it is perfect for testing aggressive builds that you normally wouldn't do in a Conquest or Just, and try new strategies so that you can put the enemy in difficult circumstances so that they either spend their entire repertoire of items and assets or you can simply get the kill.

Tips

Some tips I can give to win the games is not to worry so much about the kills, to have importance in the jungle, waves and in the knight which when defeated gives you improvements and disables the nearest enemy structure which gives a large window of opportunity to take down structures.

Remember that whoever defeats the Titan wins the game, not whoever gets the most kills.

Duel is the 1v1 mode of Smite 2, ported over from Smite 1 it allows players to test their mechanical skills in a head to head format.
The map is the same as the 3v3 Joust mode having one lane 1 jungle and 4 camps, 2 blues on each side , 1 red and 1 purple as contested buffs, in addition there is 1 main boss near the purple buff that disables the enemy towers for a duration of time.

There are 2 starts that are worth mentioning. Most aggressive start is trying to contest red buff. This buff is a very big power multiplier and usually there will be a level 1 fight around it, if the red is won you can take the portal towards purple buff and then get your blue for a triple buff start. The other start is on blue and then to lane. this leaves up red but if your god is worse at level 1 brawls it might be a better option.

Build wise my recommendations are to build somewhat bruiser with some tank items that directly counter your enemies damage type. Every solo laner knows defence items are more valuable early game than offensive ones.

Thats it, go try duel with this information and most importantly have fun.

Approach: Know what god or goddess you are going to play in the game and have a second option just in case if banned.

Banning phase: Ban the best gods in that patch, currently good bans would be the adc gods, they are currently strong, they can easily make targets like destroying towers or killing the buffs camps fast. For example: Jing wei and Ullr.

Build: When the game starts it is time to think that you are going to build, it depends on the god you playing, it would be good to choose hybrid items, if the enemy god heals it would be nice to consider becoming an antihealing item.

Early game: The first wave of minions comes a bit later than when red and blue come out, you have to analyze what the enemy does, if you give him the advantage of taking a buffs, he will end up taking advantage of you, prioritize taking advantage of him early by controlling the lane push and securing the buffs.

Mid game: Keep analyzing which objects would be more optimal to win your opponent, if he is a god of damage based on intelligence, items defensive to intelligence are a good option. Keep in mind to take advantage but also to survive and not die. Try to do your combos and hit your attacks.

Late game: Don't forget that to win the game you have to destroy the titan, fight for the Lost Knight to facilitate your arrival at the Titan, it will also provide you with a special buff that will help you beat the opponent.