Introduction

This week on is it viable, we take a look at one of the newest guardians added to smite Xing Tian. He is an interesting spot right now receiving buffs after release then nerfs. Being the first chinese guardian introduced into smite many have high hopes that he will be viable and picked constantly. So we ask the question is he a viable pick?

Abilities:

SMOULDERING RAGE

Xing Tian gains stacks of Smouldering Rage each time he hits an enemy with an ability. For each stack of rage Xing Tian has, he gains HP5. Stacks last 18s

ABILITY #1 FURIOUS ROAR

Xing Tian shouts from his chest with great force, damaging enemies and reducing their basic attack damage. Enemy gods take % Max Health damage over time as well.

ABILITY #2 HOOK SLAM

Xing Tian first launches an attack with his axe, knocking the opponents into the air before slamming them into the ground, rooting them.

ABILITY #3 SKY-CUTTING AXE

Xing Tian leaps forward, dealing damage to enemies when he lands and may leap again within 2s. While in the air, Xing Tian has increased protections, which are refreshed if he connects with a target. Using another ability during this time cancels the additional leap.

ABILITY #4 WHIRLWIND OF RAGE AND STEEL

Xing Tian spins his axe three times in succession, sweeping up his enemies before throwing them.

What does he bring to the table?

Well let’s go over the positives in his kit. Xing Tian possesses one of the best guardian ultimates in the game. His ultimate makes his level 5 extremely dangerous being able to pick up multiple people and throwing them in the direction he wishes. This ability also does a decent chunk of damage so he isn’t anything to mess around with. In my opinion, the only thing that rivals this ability is his first ability “Furious Roar”. This ability does percentage damage to enemy gods based on their max HP and also reduces basic attack damage from anyone he hits with this ability. These are honestly the strongest parts of his kit which makes him such an interesting pick.

But, where does he fall short? Is he a Support? Solo laner? Jungler?

He falls short in every one of these roles, mostly support though. In the support role you are wasting his true potential which is his magical scaling. Xing Tian benefits so much from having items that putting him in a significantly gold starved position is just harmful to your team comp. That’s not the only reason why he’s not the greatest support, it’s also his crowd control abilities. Prior to level 5, he doesn’t afford much in the laning phase compared to other guardians. His only true crowd control is his second ability “Hook Slam”. This ability knocks the target in front of him up and root them. The only problem with this ability is in the laning phase you are probably never going to get that close to someone to use this ability effectively (in most situations).

In solo and jungle, he has a lot more success since in those roles he can get items online making him do a ridiculous amount of damage. These are honestly his best roles however, he still falls short compared to other picks in these roles. With jungle, his early game is one of the worse in the game effecting his clear speed and gank potential pre-level 5. This makes him an easy target for invaders in the early stages of the game. Against aggressive early game junglers he can be easily punished. In solo lane, the same issue arises with him having a terrible laning phase and clear. You should avoid picking him against early game oriented gods who can punish him on a large scale.

How to play Xing Tian?

As I said previous, you should be playing safe in the early game similar to a Nemesis. You should try and wait till you hit your midgame power spikes (3rd/4th item) before you try going super aggressive. Once you have some damage items online, you should be looking to be blinking in large groups and sweeping people up with your ult for major combo potential with your team. That's Xing Tian's strongest aspect, being able to come out of lane/the jungle and being an annoying magical brusier in team fights.

How to build Xing Tian?

You should be looking to play Xing Tian just like you would a Cabrakan, Ymir, or Hades. You should be building him with magical power, penetration, and some defense so he can survive team fights. Items like Mail Of Renewel & Void Stone give him added utlity and surviablity which he will need in team fights. A really good unique utlity item is Gem Of Isolation, which allows him to stick to his targets effectively giving all of his abilities a slow. Boots, Spear Of Magis, and Rod are all self explaniatory giving you lots of magical power & penetration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Xing Tian is a magical bruiser who functions similar to Cabrakan, Hades, and Ymir with a significantly weaker early game. He is in a quite unique spot right now leaving him to be a niche pick in certain comps. He isn't a must have but don't be mistaken he isn't weak at all. He's completely viable just in certain situations leaving him to be a solid A/A+ tier pick in my opinon.

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