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Freya - Pulsing to the Beat (Y11, All Modes, Patch 11.1 "Year 11")

332 35 1,964,823
9.8
by Branmuffin17 updated January 23, 2024

Smite God: Freya

Build Guide Discussion 235 More Guides
Tap Mouse over an item or ability icon for detailed info

Freya Build

Gem Start (Ring or Trinket)

Notes The Conduit Gem start provides helpful early mana sustain, and the passive true damage will help with early wave clear. The upgrade Gem of Focus provides good utility via MS and overall damage increase.

Emerald Ring builds into Telkhines Ring. Alternatively consider Tiny Trinket which would build into Bancroft's Talon (and eventually Nimble Bancroft's Talon).

Notes

The Conduit Gem start provides helpful early mana sustain, and the passive true damage will help with early wave clear. The upgrade Gem of Focus provides good utility via MS and overall damage increase.

Emerald Ring builds into Telkhines Ring. Alternatively consider Tiny Trinket which would build into Bancroft's Talon (and eventually Nimble Bancroft's Talon).

Build Item Conduit Gem Conduit Gem
Build Item Emerald Ring Emerald Ring
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
3
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
Build Item Wing Shard Wing Shard

Gem Build Example (Bonus Damage)

Notes This build upgrades Conduit Gem into Gem of Focus. As an alternative to Gem Build #2, it provides some good bonus damage from Focus, Telkhines, Cyclopean and Tahuti (should you choose it).

The 6th item is situational / preference. Consider: You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Notes

This build upgrades Conduit Gem into Gem of Focus. As an alternative to Gem Build #2, it provides some good bonus damage from Focus, Telkhines, Cyclopean and Tahuti (should you choose it).

The 6th item is situational / preference. Consider:

You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Build Item Gem of Focus Gem of Focus
Build Item Telkhines Ring Telkhines Ring
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Cyclopean Ring Cyclopean Ring
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Gem Build Example (High Lifesteal)

Notes This build upgrades Conduit Gem into Gem of Focus (when you hit level 20) for good MS and damage utility. Compared to the other Gem build example, this one will be weaker early game, due to the higher cost and lack of LS on the base Bancroft compared to Telk. However, it can give you more survivability later.

Upgrade Bancroft's Talon to Nimble Bancroft's Talon anytime after completing Demonic Grip.

The 6th item is situational / preference. Consider:

Notes

This build upgrades Conduit Gem into Gem of Focus (when you hit level 20) for good MS and damage utility. Compared to the other Gem build example, this one will be weaker early game, due to the higher cost and lack of LS on the base Bancroft compared to Telk. However, it can give you more survivability later.

Upgrade Bancroft's Talon to Nimble Bancroft's Talon anytime after completing Demonic Grip.

The 6th item is situational / preference. Consider:

Build Item Gem of Focus Gem of Focus
Build Item Nimble Bancroft's Talon Nimble Bancroft's Talon
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Cyclopean Ring Cyclopean Ring
Build Item Typhon's Fang Typhon's Fang

DT Start (Ring or Trinket)

Notes This start grabs Death's Toll for early sustain. Emerald Ring will build into Telkhines Ring for extra health sustain and early AS.

Notes

This start grabs Death's Toll for early sustain. Emerald Ring will build into Telkhines Ring for extra health sustain and early AS.

Build Item Death's Toll Death's Toll
Build Item Emerald Ring Emerald Ring
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
3
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
Build Item Wing Shard Wing Shard

Embrace (Sustain) Build Example

Notes This build upgrades Death's Toll into Death's Embrace for high sustain to keep you in engagements longer. Since Embrace doesn't have any AS, you'll want at least 4 AS items (e.g. all 4 rings) so you can get the most out of the Embrace procs.

This build sacrifices some power and pen compared to the Temper build specifically for the added sustain.

The 6th item is situational / preference:

Notes

This build upgrades Death's Toll into Death's Embrace for high sustain to keep you in engagements longer. Since Embrace doesn't have any AS, you'll want at least 4 AS items (e.g. all 4 rings) so you can get the most out of the Embrace procs.

This build sacrifices some power and pen compared to the Temper build specifically for the added sustain.

The 6th item is situational / preference:

Build Item Death's Embrace Death's Embrace
Build Item Telkhines Ring Telkhines Ring
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Cyclopean Ring Cyclopean Ring
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Temper (DPS) Build Example

Notes This build upgrades Death's Toll into Death's Temper (when you reach level 20) for the attack speed and high basic attack damage.

The build as shown provides high lifesteal for boxing, while giving you added MS utility from Hastened Ring.

You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Notes

This build upgrades Death's Toll into Death's Temper (when you reach level 20) for the attack speed and high basic attack damage.

The build as shown provides high lifesteal for boxing, while giving you added MS utility from Hastened Ring.

You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Build Item Death's Temper Death's Temper
Build Item Telkhines Ring Telkhines Ring
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Typhon's Fang Typhon's Fang
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Sands Start

Notes This Sands of Time start provides helpful early mana sustain, and the early CDR will allow you to have Pulse (your only wave-clear) up more often.

Emerald Ring will build into Telkhines Ring for early health sustain and AS.

This is the build start I would probably recommend for non-Conquest modes, as the CDR will be helpful for more ability use.

Notes

This Sands of Time start provides helpful early mana sustain, and the early CDR will allow you to have Pulse (your only wave-clear) up more often.

Emerald Ring will build into Telkhines Ring for early health sustain and AS.

This is the build start I would probably recommend for non-Conquest modes, as the CDR will be helpful for more ability use.

Build Item Sands of Time Sands of Time
Build Item Emerald Ring Emerald Ring
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
3
Build Item Mana Potion Mana Potion
Build Item Wing Shard Wing Shard

Sands (CDR) Build Example (Pendulum / Alternate Timeline as preferred)

Notes This build upgrades Sands of Time into either Pendulum of Ages or The Alternate Timeline (your choice). Combined with Cyclopean Ring, you'll have 20-30% CDR which is great to have your abilities up all the time, and you can still get high base AS with standard itemization.

For the 6th item, you can sub out Tahuti with Typhon's Fang if you want more lifesteal.

You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Notes

This build upgrades Sands of Time into either Pendulum of Ages or The Alternate Timeline (your choice). Combined with Cyclopean Ring, you'll have 20-30% CDR which is great to have your abilities up all the time, and you can still get high base AS with standard itemization.

For the 6th item, you can sub out Tahuti with Typhon's Fang if you want more lifesteal.

You can consider replacing Telkhines Ring late with Nimble Bancroft's Talon.

Build Item Pendulum of Ages Pendulum of Ages
Build Item Telkhines Ring Telkhines Ring
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Cyclopean Ring Cyclopean Ring
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Manikin Start (Jungle)

Notes This start uses Manikin Scepter for early attack speed and helps clear jungle camps more quickly. This build can be used if you want to play Freya as a Jungler in Conquest.

Emerald Ring will be upgraded to Hastened Ring for early mobility.

Notes

This start uses Manikin Scepter for early attack speed and helps clear jungle camps more quickly. This build can be used if you want to play Freya as a Jungler in Conquest.

Emerald Ring will be upgraded to Hastened Ring for early mobility.

Build Item Manikin Scepter Manikin Scepter
Build Item Emerald Ring Emerald Ring
Build Item Healing Potion Healing Potion
2
Build Item Multi Potion Multi Potion
2

Manikin Build Example (Replace Manikin late if preferred)

Notes This build example either upgrades Manikin Scepter into Manikin Mace (upgrade when you hit level 20), or replaces it late-game with another item of your choice.

Upgrade Bancroft's Talon to Nimble Bancroft's Talon anytime after completing Demonic Grip.

Early game, you'll get some good sustain from the passive while in the jungle, and can delay lifesteal a bit; if you want early lifesteal, you can consider picking up Bancroft's Talon before Hastened Ring. You can also choose Telkhines Ring over Bancroft.

5th & 6th Items: You only need 4 AS items, so your last two can provide you with other utility. Typhon's + Tahuti give you good % penetration and sustain and are a strong combo. If the enemy has a lot of anti-heal and you don't want to fight against it, replace Typhon's Fang with Staff of Myrddin for some added CDR and pen.

Notes

This build example either upgrades Manikin Scepter into Manikin Mace (upgrade when you hit level 20), or replaces it late-game with another item of your choice.

Upgrade Bancroft's Talon to Nimble Bancroft's Talon anytime after completing Demonic Grip.

Early game, you'll get some good sustain from the passive while in the jungle, and can delay lifesteal a bit; if you want early lifesteal, you can consider picking up Bancroft's Talon before Hastened Ring. You can also choose Telkhines Ring over Bancroft.

5th & 6th Items: You only need 4 AS items, so your last two can provide you with other utility. Typhon's + Tahuti give you good % penetration and sustain and are a strong combo. If the enemy has a lot of anti-heal and you don't want to fight against it, replace Typhon's Fang with Staff of Myrddin for some added CDR and pen.

Build Item Manikin Mace Manikin Mace
Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Nimble Bancroft's Talon Nimble Bancroft's Talon
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip
Build Item Typhon's Fang Typhon's Fang
Build Item Perfected Rod of Tahuti Perfected Rod of Tahuti

Core Items (Build Every Match)

Notes These are your core items that should generally be built every match.

Hastened Ring (Boxing Mobility): The Haste effect this item provides is key in allowing Freya to stick to her enemies and out-box them effectively.

Demonic Grip (Main Penetration): This is the magical basic attacker's core penetration item, helping Freya punch through enemy protections.

Notes

These are your core items that should generally be built every match.

Hastened Ring (Boxing Mobility): The Haste effect this item provides is key in allowing Freya to stick to her enemies and out-box them effectively.

Demonic Grip (Main Penetration): This is the magical basic attacker's core penetration item, helping Freya punch through enemy protections.

Build Item Hastened Ring Hastened Ring
Build Item Demonic Grip Demonic Grip

Lifesteal Options (Typically choose 2)

Notes Telkhines Ring (1st Lifesteal Item / Bonus Damage): This is a well-rounded item providing lifesteal and AS, and should be purchased early in the build.

Nimble Bancroft's Talon (1st Lifesteal Item / AS Glyph): Strongest single lifesteal item option, but early game doesn't have AS. Do not upgrade to the Nimble glyph until after 4th item or later.

Typhon's Fang (2nd Lifesteal Item): Best chosen if you don't need additional AS, and the % pen is helpful against tanks.

Notes

Telkhines Ring (1st Lifesteal Item / Bonus Damage): This is a well-rounded item providing lifesteal and AS, and should be purchased early in the build.

Nimble Bancroft's Talon (1st Lifesteal Item / AS Glyph): Strongest single lifesteal item option, but early game doesn't have AS. Do not upgrade to the Nimble glyph until after 4th item or later.

Typhon's Fang (2nd Lifesteal Item): Best chosen if you don't need additional AS, and the % pen is helpful against tanks.

Build Item Telkhines Ring Telkhines Ring
Build Item Nimble Bancroft's Talon Nimble Bancroft's Talon
Build Item Typhon's Fang Typhon's Fang

Functional Items

Notes Choose as suits your playstyle or needs.

Cyclopean Ring (AS, CDR & Burst): Strong basic attacker's item for extra damage and AS. The CDR can be helpful.

Griffonwing Earrings (Fast Projectiles): Interesting new item that speeds up projectiles at the cost of some damage. Could be helpful if you play at higher ping.

Rod of Tahuti (High Power): A standard mage's item that is great for power and % pen, especially as you drop an enemy's health below 50%.

Toxic Blade (Anti-Heal): Freya shouldn't need much anti-heal as her damage should easily out-perform enemy healing, but if multiple enemies have healing function, this is a good late-game item that provides attack speed.

Magi's Cloak (Anti-CC): Defensive option chosen to counter strong enemy CC.

Staff of Myrddin (CDR / Pen): Provides CDR and some % pen, while the passive provides some good bonus damage after you fly back down from your ult.

Notes

Choose as suits your playstyle or needs.

Cyclopean Ring (AS, CDR & Burst): Strong basic attacker's item for extra damage and AS. The CDR can be helpful.

Griffonwing Earrings (Fast Projectiles): Interesting new item that speeds up projectiles at the cost of some damage. Could be helpful if you play at higher ping.

Rod of Tahuti (High Power): A standard mage's item that is great for power and % pen, especially as you drop an enemy's health below 50%.

Toxic Blade (Anti-Heal): Freya shouldn't need much anti-heal as her damage should easily out-perform enemy healing, but if multiple enemies have healing function, this is a good late-game item that provides attack speed.

Magi's Cloak (Anti-CC): Defensive option chosen to counter strong enemy CC.

Staff of Myrddin (CDR / Pen): Provides CDR and some % pen, while the passive provides some good bonus damage after you fly back down from your ult.

Build Item Cyclopean Ring Cyclopean Ring
Build Item Griffonwing Earrings Griffonwing Earrings
Build Item Rod of Tahuti Rod of Tahuti
Build Item Toxic Blade Toxic Blade
Build Item Magi's Cloak Magi's Cloak
Build Item Staff of Myrddin Staff of Myrddin

Relic Options

Notes This list of relics is short, but likely to be the only ones you'll ever really want/need.

When in doubt, the combination of Purification Beads (anti-CC) and Aegis Amulet (anti-burst) will help prolong your life or get you out of sticky situations. These two will be your standard pickups.

Heavenly Wings is a situational utility pickup, useful to counter lots of enemy slows.

Magic Shell and its upgrade are good to consider for the Phantom Shell upgrade, which is great if your ult is on CD or you'd prefer not to use it yet and you're facing an enemy Ymir or Odin, for example.

Notes

This list of relics is short, but likely to be the only ones you'll ever really want/need.

When in doubt, the combination of Purification Beads (anti-CC) and Aegis Amulet (anti-burst) will help prolong your life or get you out of sticky situations. These two will be your standard pickups.

Heavenly Wings is a situational utility pickup, useful to counter lots of enemy slows.

Magic Shell and its upgrade are good to consider for the Phantom Shell upgrade, which is great if your ult is on CD or you'd prefer not to use it yet and you're facing an enemy Ymir or Odin, for example.

Build Item Purification Beads Purification Beads
Build Item Aegis Amulet Aegis Amulet
Build Item Heavenly Wings Heavenly Wings
Build Item Magic Shell Magic Shell

Freya's Skill Order Notes Standard skill leveling sequence.

Option to level Irradiate at level 3 for early aggression / kill potential. Otherwise, put another point into Pulse for wave-clear.

If you find yourself boxing a lot and getting kills, you can prioritize maxing Irradiate before putting further points into Valkyrie's Discretion.

Notes

Standard skill leveling sequence.

Option to level Irradiate at level 3 for early aggression / kill potential. Otherwise, put another point into Pulse for wave-clear.

If you find yourself boxing a lot and getting kills, you can prioritize maxing Irradiate before putting further points into Valkyrie's Discretion.

Irradiate

1 X Y
Irradiate
4 8 11 12 14

Pulse

2 A B
Pulse
1 3 6 7 10

Banish

3 B A
Banish
2 15 16 18 19

Valkyrie's Discretion

4 Y X
Valkyrie's Discretion
5 9 13 17 20
Irradiate
4 8 11 12 14

Irradiate

1 X
Freya activates a Buff that makes her Basic Attacks do bonus Magical damage.

Ability Type: Buff, Damage
Damage per Attack: 40 / 55 / 70 / 85 / 100 (+25% of your Magical Power)
Duration: 5s
Cost: 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65
Cooldown: 11s
Pulse
1 3 6 7 10

Pulse

2 A
Freya activates a Buff that makes her Basic Attacks ranged, dealing bonus Magical damage and Slowing the target and all nearby enemies. The area effect and slow are lost when Irradiate is active.

Ability Type: Area, Buff, Damage
Damage Per Attack: 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 (+15% of your Magical Power)
Duration: 6s
Slow: 15 / 17.5 / 20 / 22.5 / 25%
Cost: 45 / 50 / 55 / 60 / 65
Cooldown: 11s
Banish
2 15 16 18 19

Banish

3 B
At her ground target location, Freya Banishes her enemies into the air for a short time. The enemies can't be hit or take action while in the air.

Ability Type: Circle, Banish
Banish Duration: 1.5s
Radius: 10
Cost: 70 / 65 / 60 / 55 / 50
Cooldown: 19 / 18 / 17 / 16 / 15s
Valkyrie's Discretion
5 9 13 17 20

Valkyrie's Discretion

4 Y
Freya uses her Cloak of Feathers to fly above the battlefield where she fires down blasts of Magical damage up to 4 times while flying. Freya can't be hit when at full ascension and can cancel it anytime.

Ability Type: Circle, Damage
Damage Per Blast: 90 / 125 / 160 / 195 / 230 (+35% of your Magical Power)
Duration: 3.6s
Radius: 12
Cost: 90 / 95 / 100 / 105 / 110
Cooldown: 100s

Introduction

***NOTE*** Build itemization discussion is now only at the top of the guide.

Recent Updates:

2023/1/24: Guide is current as of Patch 11.1, "Year 11." Builds updated.

Revision History


Hello everyone! My name is Branmuffin17 (PC IGN: Branmuffin17), and I'm a SMITEFire admin and casual SMITE player on PC. Welcome to my fourth venture outside of my original project, The Overarching Assault Guide.

I'll assume you know the basic gist of gameplay in the various modes, so I won't be teaching or talking much about rotating, minions, tickets, etc., except in the direct context of Freya's gameplay. If you want details on general info, I invite you to check out my other guides:

The
Overarching
Conquest Guide
The
Overarching
Arena Guide

For Conquest, you may find the ADC and Warding chapters to be useful.

This is a work in progress, as it should be. I'm always open to new ideas and different approaches.




Although she's a mage, Freya's gameplay style has the most similarity to a Hunter, and is typically played in the ADC (Carry) role. Where hunters typically don't have access to the Haste buff, she can pick this up in Hastened Ring, making herself a very mobile boxer.

Current Meta Status: Mage ADCs are currently considered very weak compared to their Hunter counterparts, due in large part to strong physical god itemization. Freya is very weak early-game as she is strongly item-dependent, so you should be playing defensively / conservatively in the early / midgame.


..... Strengths .....

+ High single target damage
+ Built-in AOE for wave-clear
+ Strong boxing capabilities
+ Good sustain via lifesteal
+ Comes online fairly quickly
... Weaknesses ...

- Squishy
- Needs good aim
- Escape ability is also her ult
- Pulse can turn minions on you



Although all of the builds focus on her basic attack function, there are options in how you build her. I'll go over her abilities, provide some build directions, and give some general gameplay tips. Let's get our groove on.

Abilities & Combos

Passive:



Brisingamen's Blessing
Freya’s necklace grants her additional Magical Lifesteal. (10.5% + 0.3% per level, max 16.5%)

Discussion: This is an ability you don't have to think about. Having built-in lifesteal is great, but keep in mind the individual lifesteal effect per each target is somewhat lessened when you're using an AOE ability (e.g. Pulse is activated without Irradiate).

This built-in lifesteal allows her to build Typhon's Fang as a standalone main lifesteal item and still get great sustain.
Skill #1:



Irradiate
Freya activates a Buff that makes her Basic Attacks do bonus Magical damage (40/55/70/85/100 per attack). Duration 5 seconds. CD 11 seconds. 25% scaling.

Leveling Priority: Max this 2nd.

General Use: Burst Damage

Discussion: This is an ability you'll use situationally, to provide extra damage to your basic attacks. Typically, it will be activated after Pulse, to provide bonus damage to your ranged attacks when fighting enemy gods or other individual targets (such as the Gold Fury or Fire Giant).

Tips: Consider using this without Pulse when fighting smaller jungle camps or to finish off a small remainder of minions from a wave. You'll use less mana than comboing with Pulse while still doing solid damage, and saving Pulse in case an enemy shows up.
Skill #2:



Pulse
Freya activates a Buff that makes her Basic Attacks ranged, dealing additional Magical damage (30/40/50/60/70 per attack) and Slowing the target (25%) and all nearby enemies. The area effect and Slow is lost when Irradiate is active. Duration 6 seconds. CD 11 seconds. 15% scaling.

Leveling Priority: Max this 1st for minion clear and overall damage output.

General Use: Wave Clear / Ranged Damage

Discussion: Activate for efficient minion clear and ADC ranged boxing function. Use alone to provide control on an enemy (via the Slow). Combine with Irradiate for max damage output on a single target.

Tips: It may be tempting to always use Pulse when clearing camps or minion waves. However, if there's no rush to push a wave or clear a camp, consider saving this, and use regular basic attacks or Irradiate instead. This keeps Pulse available in case you suddenly can use the ranged ability to fight enemy gods.

Warning: The AOE from Pulse can backfire. Early game, enemy minions can deal a TON of damage to you, and if an enemy steps in range of the AOE, taking one hit can be worthwhile if it turns minion focus onto you. Be cautious of this possibility.
Skill #3:



Banish
At her ground target location, Freya "banishes" her enemies into the air for 1.5 seconds. Enemies can't be hit or take action while in the air. CD 19/18/17/16/15 seconds.

Leveling Priority: Max this last.

General Use: Initiation / Escape / Control

Discussion: This can be used as an initiation, continued attack, or escape tool. The small affected area means it's slightly difficult to land consistently, but when it does, it allows you and/or teammates to close the gap or run to safety. You can use more aggressively to initiate when your main "escape" tool, Valkyrie's Discretion, is up.

Tips: Banishes make the affected enemy untargetable. This means you should use the ability with discretion, as untimely use can cause teammate abilities or ults to completely miss.

Although the enemy is untargetable at the height of the banish, as they fall back to the ground, you can hit them, so you can get in an easy hit before they can even do anything about it.
Ultimate:



Valkyrie's Discretion
Freya flies above the battlefield, where she fires down AOE magical damage blasts up to 4 times. She can't be targeted or hit while at full ascension, and can cancel anytime. CD 100 seconds. 35% scaling.

Leveling Priority: Level this as it becomes available.

General Use: Escape / Teamfight AOE Damage / Finisher

Discussion: Many players will just consider this for its offensive capabilities, which are impressive...the large AOE blasts can hit multiple enemies for good damage, and have longer range than her ranged basic attacks, helping her finish enemies just out of normal reach. However, Freya doesn't have a low CD teleport or jump, so this is the only ability she has that can get her out of some dangerous situations.

Tips: It provides her with CC immunity and allows her to escape from player-made obstacles, making it a great, easy counter to abilities such as Ares' No Escape or Odin's Ring of Spears. When facing these types of enemies, it's suggested to save the ult until absolutely needed.


Ability Combos



With regard to ability combos, there really isn't much for Freya.

When clearing minion waves or jungle camps with more than 1 target, only use Pulse for the AOE. When attacking a single minion / jungle boss (e.g. Fire Giant), consider only using Irradiate if you think enemies might be near, as you should save the range Pulse provides for that.

Your core "combo" when fighting enemy gods is activating Pulse (to activate the ranged attack function) and then Irradiate (to gain bonus damage). You may consider activating Pulse and then getting at least 1 hit in before activating Irradiate, to apply the Slow effect.

Banish in offensive situations is used for initiation or to prevent the enemy from escaping after an initial barrage, allowing you time to re-position and continue the engagement.

Valkyrie's Discretion is an ability that is more for finishing a kill or escaping CC / damage.

Some Of My Guides



If you liked this guide, check out my other ones below!


The Overarching Series



The
Overarching
Assault Guide

The
Overarching
Conquest Guide



Individual God Guides



Bacchus:
An Alcoholic's Chugging Guide

Freya:
Pulsing to
the Beat

Ganesha:
Selflessly
Gifting Kills

Shifu Guan Yu:
The Battle
Master

Loki: The Backstabbing Bastard

Medusa: Getting Everyone Stoned


God Guide Collaborations



Anubis:
Towards The
New Season

with Daelinn

Ares:
50 Shades
Of Flame

with KingScuba

Nox:
I See A
Red Door...

with Tlaloc1050

Conclusion

So that's it! If you like what I've done and how I try to improve the guide, anyone is welcome to suggest a god for me to work on next...preferably a god without a solid guide...and of course, I have to own him and/or want to play him =P but I'll let you know...

Thanks for reading, and I appreciate any and all comments, suggestions, etc. Feel free to add me/invite me if you want to play!


Brandon / PC IGN: Branmuffin17

Credits

Thanks to the following people:

For helping with Conquest builds and some tips

For general Arena knowledge and in-depth help with builds / calculations

For multiple suggestions for better presentation!

For aesthetic ideas and templates to make the guide prettier

For suggestions for build options and missing info

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Collapse All Comments

1
Ziiiro | May 7, 2023 12:32pm
What do you think of Griffonwing Earrings now that they don't hinder your damage output?
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 8, 2023 2:52am
Not worth unless you want to play for a different starter late. It's barely a thing on physicals cause at least it has nice base stats for them, but not a item you want lategame at all.
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | May 7, 2023 5:55pm
Funny you should ask. There have been so many changes in the past few patches...overhaul to pen, decrease in lifesteal, significant shifts in item power and cost. My original feeling about Griffon was that it just didn't provide enough overall function. The power was okay, the attack speed was decent, but not much else.

It's gotten a couple buffs, and until just a few days ago when DV-8 had me experiment more with it in general, I hadn't really paid it much attention.

Right now, it's in a very solid position overall. I typically like to get items with other functionality when possible: lifesteal, pen, etc. I do think it's stronger and makes more sense for specific gods...those that have longer range like Hachi or Ishtar make a lot of sense for this, as it makes those easier to hit. In addition, the physical power is pretty strong at this point, now that most other phys power items e.g. Bloodforge have gotten nerfed. Price is also really cheap.

I feel Freya's Pulse hitbox has always been pretty large. I don't think she needs the Griffon passive as much as some others, and the magical power is fine but not amazing. That said, the MP5 is nice and the attack speed is definitely very solid right now. I think it's viable, but I still place some items above it in importance...Hastened, Demonic and Telk in particular. Cyclopean is also solid, and if you get those 4 your attack speed is close to max, and Griffon would put you over the top...or a teammate's Shogun's would put you right there. If you value Griffon over Cyclopean, then you could do it.

As an FYI with my recent Griffon experience, I've been playing ranked Joust lately, and I've been using Ishtar after playing 10 games using Medusa. I was originally going with a Cowl -> BF -> Exe -> Demon -> DB -> Qin's build. I've just switched it up after having experimented more w/ Griffon on her. It takes the place of BF, getting it first, and picking up Qin's after Exe. I've tried 2 other things past that point for the last 2 slots. Demon/Boomerang -> DB, or O-Bow -> Silver. Feels really good and the price really helps get it quickly.
1
Kriega1 (143) | May 8, 2023 2:53am
Bloodforge is definitely not the way to go after latest patch. Asi is just more value and Devo's is just better.

Also Griffon isn't bought for the passive.
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DiusAeri | February 10, 2023 10:00am
Loved the guide.
Recently in bonus update 10.1, with the Claw Shard nerf, did the Wing Shard become the best option on Freya? With the start suggested in the Conduit Gem and Emerald Ring guide , the great attack speed gain provided by the Wing Shard on Freya seems to be a very strong, it helps both in clearing jungle fields at Lv 1, when in the lane phase in more aggressive moments or quickly clear the wave of minions. With his build and this start, I took a lot of advantage in the matches.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | February 10, 2023 12:02pm
Hi DiusAeri,

Thank you very much!

Yes, the Claw Shard nerf has definitely affected a lot of gods that preferred that item. I haven't called out shard use/choice in any of my guides to this point, as I generally think this is per player preference, but I would say that in general, for all ADCs, I would typically default to Wing Shard before and after the patch, just for safety purposes. You never know how often the Jungler might attempt ganks in the duo lane, and with them being generally strong right now, choosing to box them rather than retreat to safety is going to be very situational.

I actually haven't used Wing to help clear the initial camps, as I typically save it for emergency escape, but the fairly low CD probably really helps if you want to clear the Green, Purple, and back harpy camp at the same time. That's a good strat.
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DiusAeri | February 10, 2023 12:46pm
I understand you didn't mention As Shard in the guide, and I understand the explanation for that. I think Since you wrote this excellent guide, I was able to test it, I decided to come looking for tips on shards that could do better on Freya, so I came straight to the source ^^. Thank you for the clarifications.
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austsian | August 23, 2022 5:02pm
I notice in the build notes, you talk about grabbing Bancroft's OR Ring of Hecate based on which upgrade of DT you will be getting. Can you expand on that? Also, how do you feel about getting something other then Bancroft's first item? I have found that Typhon's is basically a must grab on Freya, because of the synergy with her own kit, so if I'm not even upgrading the Bancroft's until later, would it not be better to focus another item first? Be if Typhon's or one of the rings?

Also, assuming I'm playing with friends, which type of supports would be best for Freya in the early to mid game? If my goal is simply to survive, would it be better for something like a Ganesha to keep me peeled or a Sylvanus to heal me? Or something aggressive so I can try to go for the early game kills and get my items sooner? I only ask because my buddy asked me which support he should play and I had no good answer.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | August 23, 2022 7:50pm
Hi Austsian,

Thanks for the comment!

Okay, so...there's some decent flexibility with how you can build her, and I think I left some previous instructions that are now outdated. But let me see if I can answer your questions and also expand.

When I talk about grabbing Bancroft or Hecate, I think that's old info. Previously, I would have said to grab Hecate if you're going Embrace, since Embrace doesn't have AS, or grab Bancroft if you're getting Temper, because Temper has AS. But now Bancroft (Nimble glyph) has AS also, so...outdated info. Make sense? At this point, upgrading Bancroft to the Nimble glyph also gives you AS, and I'm often no longer recommending / requiring Telkhines. You have enough AS items to choose from that again, the flexibility is there to choose what you want in a way.

Also previously, I would have gone ONLY Hecate or Bancroft, and ALSO get Typhon's as the 2nd lifesteal item. At this point, I feel that you could go Hecate AND Bancroft if you really wanted, and not need Typhon's. Just don't get all 3.

If you want to choose one or the other of Hecate/Bancroft, then I think it's best to choose either one at the start for the sustain.

To answer more of your questions...
  • If you think Typhon's is core for her, keep it. If it's not core, it just has very balanced stats that it's never a bad idea.

  • The true function of Bancroft is in the passive, IMO. The Nimble upgrade is nice, but the boxing potential of the passive is very helpful for her 1v1s...though the lifesteal portion gets screwed quite a bit if the enemy has anti-heal. But if you get it as your first item, they won't have anti-heal at that point unless it's in their kit and you get hit (e.g. Medusa 2, Bacchus 3). So I still think Bancroft has good potential early game...but at this point, I'm leaning more toward just picking up Hecate since the early AS is probably more helpful, especially for her clear.

  • I wouldn't get Typhon's early...it's a bit expensive, the % pen isn't that functional early, and it has no AS. As a first lifesteal item, I would still value Bancroft and Hecate over it. And I wouldn't get it immediately after your first lifesteal item, because at that point of the build, I would prioritize Hastened and Demonic over it.

  • There are plenty of supports that should work well for Freya...they should all have some kind of peel potential as a main function though, especially due to her lack of true escape pre-level-5 (and you don't really want to use your ult as an escape unless it's your last resort). Think of any of the Supports that have strong CC that's easily applied...Sobek pluck (if they're running at you and you're retreating, that gives you great peel), Athena taunt, Khepri root and pull, ***bha the king of CC. Geb would also be fairly good just for his shield and CC immunity. Ganesha can work well too, but while his dash/root/knockup is great, his silence isn't going to be all that effective if you're just getting basic attacked.

    You can go aggressive if you'd like, and that CAN work well, but I find it is only reliable if there's an obvious skill difference or you can get your Jungler to gank early. Other situations are often toss-ups.
Does this help? I'll see about adjusting my builds tomorrow.
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austsian | August 24, 2022 1:08pm
Interesting, see I almost always rush Typhon's Fang first item (after starter) and go into the attack speed rings, because of how well the passive meshes with Freya's passive (On the surface, provides more power and lifesteal then if you went Bancroft's instead), so as you said, I do plan to keep it, but you're saying that Bancroft's is just the superior item to get first, then? Interesting. I'll give them both a try myself, It's just what I've been doing.

Doing some basic math, Freya should... likely have about 12% lifesteal from her passive by the time you get your first item. On a Bancroft's that means (based on passive, and assuming realistically, you're only getting about half the effect from it) that's 100-150 power and a total of 27%-44% lifesteal, effectively. Inverse if you build Typhon's you'd be looking at a consistent 124 power and 27% lifesteal that's being increased by 25% (which doing that math averages out a healing roughly around ~33% give or take). So to me it just seems that while, yes, when you're low you're gonna do more then Typhon's, but Typhon's provides a consistent result that's somewhere in the middleground.

Not saying you're wrong, that's just the conclusion the math has taken me too. I know far too often math does not equal results on the game lol. Just providing evidence to my logic is all.

Lastly, is Rod of Tahuti the best overall item to pick for a last item? I recall I used to go Spear of the Magi for that increased damage potential, which in turn pairs well with Hecate (if you build that) and provides some flat pen. Is flat pen even something worth thinking about with Freya, or is % pen the king of kings choice?

Also, this is a small side note, but I found it particularly useful, the current Stone of Fal is a really good defense flex on Frey if you need it. It procs its passive based on you auto attacking and provides mitigations instead of straight defense. It's not amazing, per se, but I found that if a boxing match is close, it keeps me alive long enough to win and keep fighting.

Yes, this is very insightful. I mostly just want to get all the rust off, and play as efficiently as I can with her, tbh. I'm a Freya main that stopped playing for a about 2 years, so I'm trying to catch up with the meta, now.
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Kriega1 (143) | July 19, 2022 2:20pm
I think you overrate Banc glyph a bit (u need 400 power for it's AS to match Hecate's base which is basically 4+ items in not counting starter, it's an extra 600 gold investment for glpyh, and u worsen your early mid game curve going bancrofts compared to Hecate), also Conduit Gem since the buff feels pretty good on Freya right now.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | July 23, 2022 8:53am
Possible. I do want to clarify one thing...I don't upgrade to the glyph until after at least finishing Demonic.

Reason I like this is even if the early game is weaker due to lack of AS, the rest of the build provides plenty of AS and I've always liked the lifesteal potential at lower health. Will reevaluate as I haven't touched Hecate.

Conduit? What's the draw compared to traditional?
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Kriega1 (143) | July 23, 2022 8:56am
Conduit for wave clear since the last buff it got (pairs well with her last base damage buff to her 2) and the constant mp5 is decent. Plus it's not like Gem of Focus is bad on her either.
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Kriega1 (143) | December 20, 2021 5:25am
Imo: Sand's build put Typhon's before Tahuti, let Tahuti be the alternative to Pendulum if preferred.

Mention Seer as alt to Protector.

Add a 4 rings Gilded Arrow build, with mention of selling Gilded late for Tahuti / Typhon's.

I'd also say add Telk to the list of core items on Freya.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | December 20, 2021 3:26pm
Hey thanks Kriega, updated as requested...yeah, haven't touched this one for a while, good to have this finalized through the rest of the season.
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urdaddychloe | November 15, 2021 4:43pm
Wonderful guide! I don't understand her too well yet but this is perfect guidance! <3
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Branmuffin17 (394) | November 16, 2021 8:54am
Hi Chloe,

Thanks for the kind words. She's pretty straightforward with her kit, so that portion is usually easy to get the hang of...

But while she has her Banish and her ult, she's still a very vulnerable god so learning when to engage, when to trigger abilities, and when to back off is equally important. Hope this guide helps!
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Kriega1 (143) | July 25, 2021 5:55am
Have you tried Seer of the Jungle upgrade with Eye starter yet?

Also imo, Magus as a alternative wouldn't ever be considered over Typhon's, which you always want. It would be considered over Hecate.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | July 25, 2021 12:01pm
Oops, I meant Hecate if you pick that up early, not Typhon's. Fixed that.

Also, no I haven't really considered Seer Of The Jungle. Reason being, I would almost always get Tahuti, and the scaling between that and the 12% power bonus just seems nice and synergistic, esp when fighting in the jungle or going for the FG. You think it's worth?
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Kriega1 (143) | July 26, 2021 5:01am
It's worth trying at least
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BobWeston_ | July 17, 2021 4:29am
This is cracked! First time trying Freya/this build and it got me 3 penta kills. Would recommend this 100%!!
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TheSecondTim | July 7, 2021 7:26pm
Just killed It in an All Out Arena to this build. Penta kill.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | July 8, 2021 8:44am
Excellent, awesome you got the penta!
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Kriega1 (143) | June 3, 2021 10:05am
I'd remove Shell from the relics cause of it losing the block stacks.

Also in the Arrow build I'd sell Arrow late, not upgrade it, cause outside of the gold gain the item doesen't really offer much to Freya, her stim has too much power scaling to get good benefit from the +80 basic attack damage that someone like Sol would cause her stim works differently, and the attack speed isn't reliable (it's similar to how Death's Temper passive isn't reliable). And for the Sands build, another variant you could tryout is: Sands, Magi Shoes, Hastened, Demonic, Magus, Telkhines, sell Sands for Tahuti, sell Boots for Typhon's.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | June 3, 2021 11:07am
Ah yeah, forgot about Shell...I haven't been picking that up at all. Standard Beads / Aegis still just feels best.

And agreed on Arrow, don't like Diamond and my normal instinct would be to sell and get a regular item.

Will try that build suggestion, thanks Kriega.
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Kriega1 (143) | April 15, 2021 2:20pm
Try this build: Sands, Magi Shoes, Hastened, Telkhines, Demonic, Typhon's, Pendulum, boots for Tahuti. (Could also do Sands, Magi, Haste, Demonic, Typhon's, Telk, Pendulum, boots for Tahuti in build order).
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Branmuffin17 (394) | April 16, 2021 9:53am
I'll try this today, thanks Kriega. I'll compare feeling to an Eye-based build, which I think may be my preference at this time.
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Branmuffin17 (394) | April 17, 2021 1:47pm
2 games last night with Sands, 1 with Eye, and while I was expecting Eye to feel better due to having at least a little early AS (and to help with jungle objectives throughout the game), Sands actually felt quite a bit better. No major mana issues, having that early CDR to get Pulse activated again was nice. My pref is the 2nd build order.

Will adjust builds soon. Thanks again.
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1
NICOMAZE | March 19, 2021 12:36am
Very extensive guide with very clear instructions, thank you very much for your contribution!
1
Branmuffin17 (394) | March 19, 2021 8:45am
Thank you!
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League of Legends Build Guide Author Branmuffin17
Freya - Pulsing to the Beat (Y11, All Modes, Patch 11.1 "Year 11")
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