Merlin Build Smite 2 [Midlane] | OB7 2025

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Let’s take a look at the best Merlin build in Smite 2 for both Conquest and Arena!
You might be surprised by this build since it isn’t an Intelligence-based one.

I’ve tested multiple traditional Intelligence builds for Merlin, but none of them performed well. However, this player seems to have cracked the code, finding the best way to maximize Merlin’s potential.

Merlin’s Abilities – Quick Guide

Before we dive into the actual build, here’s a brief ability rundown for those unfamiliar with Merlin.

Merlin has three different stances: Arcane, Fire, and Frost.
His Ultimate allows him to switch between these stances while dealing AoE damage around him—so try to make the most of that damage when possible.

Pro Tip:
When using his Ultimate, you have a split second to manually select your next stance by pressing 1, 2, or 3. If you don’t press anything, it will automatically cycle to the next stance.

Arcane Stance

• 1st Ability – Throws a vortex that deals damage and marks enemies. Marked targets take additional damage if they remain in the vortex.

• 2nd Ability – Pulls enemies inward and deals damage.

• 3rd Ability – A blink (teleport) that restores some lost HP.
  💡 Note: The first two abilities don’t share cooldowns between stances, but the third (blink) does—so you can only blink once per combo.

Fire Stance

• 1st Ability – Burns enemies in front of Merlin. (This can be interrupted, so don’t rely on it too much!)

• 2nd Ability – Summons two dragon heads that breathe fire onto a targeted area.

• 3rd Ability – Blinks and grants a burn effect to Merlin’s basic attacks.

Frost Stance

• 1st Ability – Fires a bolt that deals AoE damage.

• 2nd Ability – Summons a blizzard that damages and slows enemies.

• 3rd Ability – Blinks and reduces all cooldowns by 5 seconds.
  💡 Frost abilities have much lower cooldowns than the rest of Merlin’s kit.

Passive Ability

Merlin’s passive grants up to 3 empowered basic attacks after casting an ability.

The Best Merlin Build in Smite 2

Starter Item

• Bluestone Pendant → Bluestone Brooch (Upgrade ASAP!)

  • This item gives bonus damage equal to 7.5% of the target’s current HP when using abilities.

Core Items

1️⃣ Book of Thoth – Provides Mana and Power. Needs to be stacked.
2️⃣ Transcendence – Another stacking item that boosts Power and Mana. (In Arena, prioritize clearing minion waves to stack faster!)
3️⃣ The Crusher – Adds bonus ability damage based on Strength, 10% penetration, and 10% cooldown reduction.
4️⃣ Heartsteel – A meta-defining item that deals damage based on the enemy’s max HP, while also scaling with Strength. Grants an additional 10% penetration.

💡 At this point, you might be wondering how this build works since Merlin’s abilities typically scale with Intelligence. Don’t worry—we’ll compare a traditional Intelligence build versus this unconventional one soon!

5️⃣ Soul Reaver – Another item that deals bonus damage based on the enemy’s max HP.
6️⃣ Titan’s Bane – Our final penetration item, which synergizes well with Crusher and Heartsteel since both scale with physical damage.