I think blink relic is problematic in terms of balance in this game. Smite is a lot like a game of chess where you move pieces around to get a favorable position and blink pretty much lets you move a piece anywhere you want instantly. This mechanic is however pretty core to a lot of mobas, yet I do not really like it in smite.
The problem is highlighted on Gods that can use it without getting punished to much by what it means to position yourself in a dangerous spot. Like Odin, He Bo, Ao Kuang, Hades, Hun Batz, Thannatos and Kali. All of these Gods can blink into position to deal a lot of damage or lay down a devastating ult and still have an escape to use after. Then there are a few others that simply enjoy being able to get close quickly, Cabrakan, Ares but have less means to escape. Or Tyr and Herc who can insta push someone out of position. In the case of odin and ares it makes them getting good ults much easier, for others it means an easier time getting a pick off in the backline. I'd argue Ghost relic wouldn't even be needed for balance if Odin didn't have access to blink. In the same way beads is a must vs a blink ares. A non blink ares can actually be dealt with in other ways. When you face a blinker the main counter is to get a relic of your own. Beads for pushers, ghost for wallers, aegis for bursters so your team can come and kill him before he kills you.
I just don't like where we are at at the moment in terms of relics. Where you need a relic to counter another Gods relic. Sometimes this makes me feel like we could just skip relics altogether. Sure it adds more depth to the game but it also really screws with trying to balance it.
What bothers me the most with blink is the range it provides. It creates pressure on the backline to stay really far away all the time from the God that has blink. So far away that its basically impossible to commit to a fight without getting blinked on. It really cements the tier lists for some Gods, if you do not have an escape on your God you are in the bad tier cause you can't avoid blink ganks. I think blink in particular (but also aegis and beads) takes away something from the finer nuances of the game where at the press of a button you can delete someone or a team (unless their relic is up).
The only real counter apart from relics is to have a frontliner that can disrupt the blinker. In a well communicated team this is not a problem to solve but for casuals its something that most times just isn't addressed well.
I don't really have a good suggestion how to solve this perceived problem of mine. All I know is that the blink mechanic really bothers me on some Gods. Sure I pick up blink myself on several Gods cause its so good but I really do not like having to do so.
I'd love if the shop bug out just for a few days to lock down all relics as it did with the aura items. Just to feel how the game is without them. Cause its very hard knowing the difference without experiencing it. And if people just bought magis a insta semi global stun from a thor wouldn't be so much of a problem you know.
Originally Posted by GameVeteranAzure
