When Riot Games dropped Brawl mode for League of Legends, players immediately started drawing comparisons to Smite’s Arena mode. The similarities are so striking that some fans are even asking: Is LoL just copying Smite? In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into both modes, look at their similarities and differences, and see what the community has to say about it all.
What Is Brawl Mode in LoL?
Let’s kick things off with a quick rundown of Brawl mode in League of Legends. It’s a new 5v5 game mode that feels a little bit like a mashup of your typical Summoner’s Rift experience and a chaotic team battle. Here's how it works:
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No towers or Nexus – That’s right! In Brawl, the map is stripped down, and your only focus is to fight your opponents and rack up points.
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Objective – Teams start with 250 health, and the first team to drop the opponent’s health to zero wins the game. You can deal damage by:
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Killing enemy champions – Each kill deals 5 damage to the enemy team.
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Killing minions – Minions aren’t just cannon fodder in this mode! Killing them gives you 1 damage point as long as the enemy team isn’t low on health.
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Bringing minions through portals – Yes, this is a unique mechanic where bringing an allied minion into the enemy’s portal deals 1 damage per minion.
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Games last about 20 minutes, so expect fast-paced, back-to-back teamfights.
What Is Arena Mode in Smite?
Now, let’s turn our attention to Smite’s Arena mode. If you’ve played Smite, you probably already know what Arena is all about. It’s a team-based, 5v5 brawl with the same high-energy gameplay that players have loved for years.
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No towers or Phoenixes – Just like Brawl, there are no traditional objectives here. It’s all about the fight.
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Objective – Teams start with 500 tickets. Your goal is to reduce the opposing team’s ticket count to zero by:
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Eliminating enemy players – Each kill removes 5 tickets from the other team.
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Killing enemy minions – This removes 1 ticket from the opponent’s count.
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Helping minions reach the portal – Similar to Brawl’s minion portal mechanic, Smite’s Arena rewards you for getting your team’s minions into the enemy’s portal.
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Siege Minions – After killing 10 enemy players, your team spawns a siege minion that deals massive damage.
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A typical Arena match in Smite lasts about 15 minutes, keeping the action fast and furious.
Brawl Mode vs. Arena Mode: Are They Really That Similar?
Let’s break it down:
Similarities:
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5v5, Fast-Paced Action: Both modes are all about quick, non-stop combat. No towers, no Nexus, just pure team fights and minion kills.
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No Traditional Objectives: You won’t find yourself pushing towers or defending a base in these modes. The goal is simply to deal damage to the enemy team and rack up points.
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Minion Mechanics: Both modes feature minions that can be used to score points or deal damage. In Brawl, you’re guiding minions through portals, while in Arena, you’re sending minions to the enemy portal to reduce their ticket count.
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Game Duration: These modes are designed for fast games, typically lasting 15-20 minutes, much shorter than your average LoL or Smite match.
Differences:
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Scoring System: In Brawl, you’re aiming to reduce the enemy team’s health, while Arena uses a ticket system. The idea of “siege minions” in Arena adds another layer of complexity that Brawl doesn’t have (at least not in the same way).
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Unique Mechanics: While both modes feature minion mechanics, Brawl’s minion portal is a fresh twist. The idea of getting minions to the enemy base adds a new strategic element that’s a bit more complex than Smite’s simpler system.
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Thematic Styles: Let’s not forget the worlds these games exist in. Smite’s Arena revolves around mythological gods and creatures, while LoL’s Brawl stays in its familiar, fantasy universe with champions like Yasuo and Jinx.
What Does the Community Think?
The community has been buzzing about the Brawl vs. Arena comparison ever since the announcement. Some players are thrilled about the new mode, enjoying the idea of a more casual, action-packed alternative to traditional ranked play. Others, however, feel like Riot Games might be taking inspiration—if not outright copying—Smite’s Arena mode.
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Reddit’s reaction: A lot of Reddit users have jumped into the conversation, with some noting that the similarities are too close to be coincidence. Some are even calling it a “copy-paste” situation, while others are happy to see a fresh take on the 5v5 formula (source).
Is LoL Copying Smite? Our Verdict
So, is League of Legends copying Smite with Brawl mode? Well, not exactly. While the similarities are there, Riot has definitely added its own twist. Brawl brings in mechanics like minion portals and damage-based scoring that are unique to LoL, and the map feels very much like a League experience. Smite’s Arena, on the other hand, has its own style with siege minions and a ticket-based system.
Ultimately, it seems like Riot isn’t copying Smite; it’s taking inspiration from a popular game mode and putting their own spin on it. And who can blame them? After all, Brawl mode looks like a fun, action-packed addition to League, perfect for players looking for a quicker, more casual experience.
Wrap-Up: Brawl Mode Is a Fun Twist, Not a Copy
In the end, Brawl mode in League of Legends and Arena mode in Smite share some common ground, but each offers its own unique gameplay experiences. If you’re a fan of action-packed, shorter matches with tons of combat, both modes have something to offer.
What do you think about the comparison between LoL’s Brawl and Smite’s Arena? Is it just a coincidence, or do you think Riot borrowed too much from Smite? Let us know in the comments below!
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