ARTICLE
AGAINST THE GRAIN
By Joshua Newberry
B
reastplate of Valor has long been the favorite
Looking only at the green versus red of
item of those who build into Breastplate (555
the chart, it would seem Breastplate is the
Gold/+20 Physical Protection). The versatility of this
better item. It’s more complicated than this.
item in the game makes it a solid choice on almost
Overall, you save 115 gold and gain more
any given character and in any place on the map as
protections and cooldown reduction when you buy
it provides a significant chunk of physical protection
Breastplate of Valor. However, the important thing
and mana, along with a hefty amount of cooldown
to note is the lack of health that comes with it: Mail
reduction (CDR). Recent changes to the meta,
of Renewal includes a generous amount of health
however, have prompted me to re-evaluate picking
in its final form, comparable to a Mystical Mail and
up Breastplate of Valor over its sister item, Mail of
more than a Sovereignty or a Hide of the Nemean
Renewal—an item most players forget is in the game.
Lion (each provides 200 health). For a midlane
Too often players will argue that Mail of Renewal is
Mage trying to pick up a physical defense item,
not as effective as Breastplate of Valor, and I would
Mail of Renewal provides more health points to
like to make the opposite argument: Mail of Renewal
outlast the opposing magical damagers, too—while
is a solid item for the current meta of SMITE.
also protecting against the physical opponents.
Stats
Gold
Physical Prots
HP/MP
Cooldown
Reduction
Passive
Breastplate of Valor
Mail of Renewal
2,300
2,415
75
40
550 Mana
300 Health
25%
10%
You gain 10% maximum Health and Mana
None
over the next 5 seconds when you get a
kill or assist against an enemy god.
22 The Official SMITE Magazine Issue #15
The GameOn Magazine