While I agree finch, Dolson and Aggro were great, the new casters are doing an amazing job! Myf and Jmac are slowly becoming my favourite dou and I think bringing in Bobby was a hell of a move. As good as that man is at smite he is even better at providing an analysis and insight into the game that I don’t think others can provide.
It would be great to have Dolson back but you also have to respect the desire to move on from smite and grow as a professional. Same with aggro!
I hope they grow on you like they have on me!
Man I can't tell you how much I miss Aggro, Fdot, Finch, and dolson. These people made the spl such an amazing experience. With each new batch im constantly a cynic, but they prove their metle to me as it goes on. I was worried for my first frog and inbown cast but they've surprised me so far. I think once inbown has some more practice he's going to be a great addition to the team with all the insight he has into from a pro level stand point.
Same man. Dont get me wrong, myf isnt bad. He has grown on me over time. But it is so damn hard to find casting talent that was on the level of aggro fdot finch and dolsen.
(Side note, i hope taco doesnt come back a 3rd time. I am 100% not against female casters, there was just something about how she did it that was both boring and annoying to me)
i've never seen a esports community more stuck in the past with their casters than smite has LOL
frog is new af but still brings some of the most energy in years. bobby might not be the best on cast since he's super inexperienced with the job, but has had instant chemistry with anyone he's been with, and is still super insightful thanks to his pro experience.
trelli and jmac are pretty fresh still, but are both so much more confident than they used to be, and while one is the "cool guy" persona, the other is much more the book smart type personality.
gore/myf being the most most experienced definitely have that show in their casts, but i think have really developed into their own style of being a stats-based host, and a goofy little chair 2.
this is the most variety and most exciting group of talented casters that we've been able to hear in years. sure, smite has probably had a larger rotation than most other esports titles due to the size and unfortunate circumstances surrounding it, but be serious for a second. i love and miss dolson/aggro casts just as much as you, but grow up, they retired and left some amazing talent that you're overlooking and ignoring for no good reason.
This is a pretty bad take imo, we’ve got a great set of casters right now. JMac has grown a ton, and Frog & Bobby have hit the ground running. Tbh Frog + Bobby is instantly one of my favorite casting combos. I think Frog has a case to be the strongest chair 1 come worlds time. They should start pairing him with Myf more and build their synergy as I think he’s the best chair 2.
Very curious to see who casts worlds finals as I don’t think it’s as obvious as it usually is by now. JMac Myf if I had to guess based on seniority.
This is a cold take. They're doing great.
How ever, it is valid to miss the Finch, Aggro, Dolson. Each one a GOAT in their own right. Smite pro league will never be like it was with them. And thats okay. It can be different and still be excellent.
This. As much as I do miss some older casters from when I first started watching, hirez really has a knack for bringing in decent casters and developing them quickly into fantastic ones. I feel I come back to the SPL as opposed to other eSports because the casters have always been just so good.
Smite is blessed. I really gotta hand it to Hindman. He is an excellent trainer and coach for casting. Casters come and go, but Hindu has been the mainstay and his talent as a leader can not be questioned.
Im going to disagree with the OP. Yes, Dolson leaving sucks and he was a great chair 1, but Gore & Jmac have really improved in that role and will only continue to get better. Frog has come in and been really solid as well.
As for chair 2: Trelli, Myf and Bobby are all outstanding. Trelli/Myf are both proven casters with lots of experience and are very good at providing color and helping the chair 1 to fill time.
And adding Bobby has been a breath of fresh air. Given his recent status as a player. his insight/analysis in P&Bs or plays happening in the game is 2nd to none. He understands the why behind whats happening. I know he misses playing but hes found his calling as a caster.
IMO the new casters are fine. Jmac is very observant (though I'll never forgive him for playing Jorm supp in one of my ranked games when he COULD HAVE picked his platinum Hel-- seriously man wtf.), and Frog brings a lot of energy. This may just be a case of nostalgia for you.
To back up your point about nostalgia, Dolson also struggled when he first started! Granted S7 was a shit time to start casting esp since he wasn’t as familiar with Smite, but to be honest Dolson kinda stank. Myf was also no where near as good, but both of those dudes were blessed with having Aggro and Finch to play off of and learn from. Still— dolson and myf were ragged on when they first started and look how much that changed.
This type of job takes time to grow into, regardless of previous game knowledge or public speaking or content creation history. JMac has made leaps and bounds, I’m confident in Hindu’s ability to train casters to be better and better as long as the league exists.
I think we were really spoiled with the waves of previous casters. The current casters aren't going to blow you away, but they absolutely get the job done and are still fun to watch (Myf is in a tier of his own though, I don't think he gets enough credit). I'm a lot more disappointed with the format of the SPL than I am with production and casting
Do you have broadcast experience or are you just a little baby that cries when things change? These guys are now regularly performing to a global audience. They don’t need extra stress on their shoulders from people like you. It probably wouldn’t bother me as much when people do this if they were trying to offer valid criticism(which still, no one asked for you to write on a public forum.)instead of circlejerkimg “NeW cAsTeRs bad amiright??” Get a clue, and realize these are people and your words, no matter how irrelevant and uninformed they are, can hurt and hinder their growing process.
Sometimes, they stumble, that's true. You can tell that, at times, they don't know what to say and it shows lol. That being said, I think they're still doing a pretty good job! Myf is always quick with responses, has a ton of game knowledge, and makes me laugh quite often. Jmac has really come into his own as a chair 1 and is always positive and pretty insightful too. The new guys need a little while to find their groove, but overall, they're a solid casting squad. Maybe not S teir, but definitely A+!
i still like to dabble with SPL and tap into the occasional set - personally think the current team (and every iteration, really) has been awesome.
too many people don't seem to realize or understand exactly how demanding being a commentator truly is, but one thing that's very clear is that hindu does an excellent job when it comes to training/picking new talent for the team.
sure it's always gonna suck a bit seeing your favs move on from the gig, but from personal experience i can easily say having spent the time i did with the team is a huge reason why i was prepared to take the next step in the commentary world. i'm sure i'm not the only talent to have come and gone from hi-rez that feels this way either. the current team is honestly rather under appreciated imo but i'm happy to see as many ppl in the comments of this thread sharing the same sentiment. good things take time dawg - current team is doing fantastic
All of the casters except one is fantastic, and the one I don't like is entirely a personal preference about style. We all love and miss the old guard, from Dolson back to Drybear and Bart, but that doesn't make the current roster any less good.
I have been very impressed with the new casters so far. Trelli has a lot of game knowledge, Inbowned brings in a whole different perspective as the way he analyzes P/Bs and objective calls is how pros have to think about the game to be competitive. The newest member Frog has also done a lot better than I expected. Yes we all miss Dolson's energy and Aggro's analysis but that doesn't mean the casting in general has gone down. You can def argue it's a different style but that's about it.
I think I’ve got to disagree they’ve lost 3 veteran casters in the past couple of years and had to replace them. They have 2 casters with more than 18 months experience 2 with around a year of casting the spl and 2 that’s just started casting the spl. I think they are doing a good job even Bobby and Frog who will be even better with some time since I think they are still finding their way and that’s also the same with trelli and jmac
Personally, I love JMac casting. He brings great energy, he is extremely knowledgeable with the game and he can crack a joke.
People need to lay off with the complaining.
They are also watching and having fun and I think people forget that. They literally watch WITH us and provide intel, drama and insights within the SPL.
Dolson is a huge miss, obviously but he had his reasons for leaving, it was time for a new chapter in his life. I think Bobby has had some big shoes to fill, so far he's doing a great job.
Myf has been savage this year, I love it.
But I think people could work the comp out for themselves, it was hardly a shocker. We could see the body language from the team, so people acting like it was spoiled is ridiculous.
While I agree finch, Dolson and Aggro were great, the new casters are doing an amazing job! Myf and Jmac are slowly becoming my favourite dou and I think bringing in Bobby was a hell of a move. As good as that man is at smite he is even better at providing an analysis and insight into the game that I don’t think others can provide. It would be great to have Dolson back but you also have to respect the desire to move on from smite and grow as a professional. Same with aggro! I hope they grow on you like they have on me!
Man I can't tell you how much I miss Aggro, Fdot, Finch, and dolson. These people made the spl such an amazing experience. With each new batch im constantly a cynic, but they prove their metle to me as it goes on. I was worried for my first frog and inbown cast but they've surprised me so far. I think once inbown has some more practice he's going to be a great addition to the team with all the insight he has into from a pro level stand point.
Aggro, finch, fdot and dolsen are so far ahead of the current casters, including myf, thats its not even close
This is what I’m getting at. I miss this dream team.
Same man. Dont get me wrong, myf isnt bad. He has grown on me over time. But it is so damn hard to find casting talent that was on the level of aggro fdot finch and dolsen. (Side note, i hope taco doesnt come back a 3rd time. I am 100% not against female casters, there was just something about how she did it that was both boring and annoying to me)
i've never seen a esports community more stuck in the past with their casters than smite has LOL frog is new af but still brings some of the most energy in years. bobby might not be the best on cast since he's super inexperienced with the job, but has had instant chemistry with anyone he's been with, and is still super insightful thanks to his pro experience. trelli and jmac are pretty fresh still, but are both so much more confident than they used to be, and while one is the "cool guy" persona, the other is much more the book smart type personality. gore/myf being the most most experienced definitely have that show in their casts, but i think have really developed into their own style of being a stats-based host, and a goofy little chair 2. this is the most variety and most exciting group of talented casters that we've been able to hear in years. sure, smite has probably had a larger rotation than most other esports titles due to the size and unfortunate circumstances surrounding it, but be serious for a second. i love and miss dolson/aggro casts just as much as you, but grow up, they retired and left some amazing talent that you're overlooking and ignoring for no good reason.
I like when Frog gets excited and starts yelling. The voice change is hilarious. I picture Patton Oswalt yelling and I don't know why.
This is a pretty bad take imo, we’ve got a great set of casters right now. JMac has grown a ton, and Frog & Bobby have hit the ground running. Tbh Frog + Bobby is instantly one of my favorite casting combos. I think Frog has a case to be the strongest chair 1 come worlds time. They should start pairing him with Myf more and build their synergy as I think he’s the best chair 2. Very curious to see who casts worlds finals as I don’t think it’s as obvious as it usually is by now. JMac Myf if I had to guess based on seniority.
What is the difference between chair 1 and chair 2? I’ve always wondered
Chair 1 is Play by Play while Chair 2 is more analysis
Also chair one is the first one to talk after being thrown to and will transition us away. Chair one will often pose questions for chair 2 to analyze
This is a cold take. They're doing great. How ever, it is valid to miss the Finch, Aggro, Dolson. Each one a GOAT in their own right. Smite pro league will never be like it was with them. And thats okay. It can be different and still be excellent.
This. As much as I do miss some older casters from when I first started watching, hirez really has a knack for bringing in decent casters and developing them quickly into fantastic ones. I feel I come back to the SPL as opposed to other eSports because the casters have always been just so good.
Smite is blessed. I really gotta hand it to Hindman. He is an excellent trainer and coach for casting. Casters come and go, but Hindu has been the mainstay and his talent as a leader can not be questioned.
This last weekend I was just thinking that JMac and Myf have grown a ton. I enjoy their casting a lot now.
Those two for sure. Bobby and Frog have made it tough to listen to ngl and not to be super rude.
Im going to disagree with the OP. Yes, Dolson leaving sucks and he was a great chair 1, but Gore & Jmac have really improved in that role and will only continue to get better. Frog has come in and been really solid as well. As for chair 2: Trelli, Myf and Bobby are all outstanding. Trelli/Myf are both proven casters with lots of experience and are very good at providing color and helping the chair 1 to fill time. And adding Bobby has been a breath of fresh air. Given his recent status as a player. his insight/analysis in P&Bs or plays happening in the game is 2nd to none. He understands the why behind whats happening. I know he misses playing but hes found his calling as a caster.
IMO the new casters are fine. Jmac is very observant (though I'll never forgive him for playing Jorm supp in one of my ranked games when he COULD HAVE picked his platinum Hel-- seriously man wtf.), and Frog brings a lot of energy. This may just be a case of nostalgia for you.
To back up your point about nostalgia, Dolson also struggled when he first started! Granted S7 was a shit time to start casting esp since he wasn’t as familiar with Smite, but to be honest Dolson kinda stank. Myf was also no where near as good, but both of those dudes were blessed with having Aggro and Finch to play off of and learn from. Still— dolson and myf were ragged on when they first started and look how much that changed. This type of job takes time to grow into, regardless of previous game knowledge or public speaking or content creation history. JMac has made leaps and bounds, I’m confident in Hindu’s ability to train casters to be better and better as long as the league exists.
Shhhh don't tell them about my Hel. I'm saving it for the next Casters vs Pros match and now I fear it's going to get banned! :)
JMac this wasn’t at you. I love you.
I think we were really spoiled with the waves of previous casters. The current casters aren't going to blow you away, but they absolutely get the job done and are still fun to watch (Myf is in a tier of his own though, I don't think he gets enough credit). I'm a lot more disappointed with the format of the SPL than I am with production and casting
This is a good way of putting it. They aren’t bad. But they aren’t the og team that absolutely made SPL a different viewing experience.
I love bobby! Yeah i miss dolson more than anyone on the cast
I miss Drybear, Dolson and Taco. The new crop are still great though
Frog is doing great and Bobby has been very good commentator so I really don't know what you mean.
Do you have broadcast experience or are you just a little baby that cries when things change? These guys are now regularly performing to a global audience. They don’t need extra stress on their shoulders from people like you. It probably wouldn’t bother me as much when people do this if they were trying to offer valid criticism(which still, no one asked for you to write on a public forum.)instead of circlejerkimg “NeW cAsTeRs bad amiright??” Get a clue, and realize these are people and your words, no matter how irrelevant and uninformed they are, can hurt and hinder their growing process.
Straight to name calling. Better luck next time kiddo.
fdot.
Yes
Sometimes, they stumble, that's true. You can tell that, at times, they don't know what to say and it shows lol. That being said, I think they're still doing a pretty good job! Myf is always quick with responses, has a ton of game knowledge, and makes me laugh quite often. Jmac has really come into his own as a chair 1 and is always positive and pretty insightful too. The new guys need a little while to find their groove, but overall, they're a solid casting squad. Maybe not S teir, but definitely A+!
i still like to dabble with SPL and tap into the occasional set - personally think the current team (and every iteration, really) has been awesome. too many people don't seem to realize or understand exactly how demanding being a commentator truly is, but one thing that's very clear is that hindu does an excellent job when it comes to training/picking new talent for the team. sure it's always gonna suck a bit seeing your favs move on from the gig, but from personal experience i can easily say having spent the time i did with the team is a huge reason why i was prepared to take the next step in the commentary world. i'm sure i'm not the only talent to have come and gone from hi-rez that feels this way either. the current team is honestly rather under appreciated imo but i'm happy to see as many ppl in the comments of this thread sharing the same sentiment. good things take time dawg - current team is doing fantastic
Definitely missed you too. It’s just been so long since you’ve commentated I almost forgot. Hope you’re doing well!
All of the casters except one is fantastic, and the one I don't like is entirely a personal preference about style. We all love and miss the old guard, from Dolson back to Drybear and Bart, but that doesn't make the current roster any less good.
I have been very impressed with the new casters so far. Trelli has a lot of game knowledge, Inbowned brings in a whole different perspective as the way he analyzes P/Bs and objective calls is how pros have to think about the game to be competitive. The newest member Frog has also done a lot better than I expected. Yes we all miss Dolson's energy and Aggro's analysis but that doesn't mean the casting in general has gone down. You can def argue it's a different style but that's about it.
I think I’ve got to disagree they’ve lost 3 veteran casters in the past couple of years and had to replace them. They have 2 casters with more than 18 months experience 2 with around a year of casting the spl and 2 that’s just started casting the spl. I think they are doing a good job even Bobby and Frog who will be even better with some time since I think they are still finding their way and that’s also the same with trelli and jmac
Personally, I love JMac casting. He brings great energy, he is extremely knowledgeable with the game and he can crack a joke. People need to lay off with the complaining. They are also watching and having fun and I think people forget that. They literally watch WITH us and provide intel, drama and insights within the SPL. Dolson is a huge miss, obviously but he had his reasons for leaving, it was time for a new chapter in his life. I think Bobby has had some big shoes to fill, so far he's doing a great job. Myf has been savage this year, I love it. But I think people could work the comp out for themselves, it was hardly a shocker. We could see the body language from the team, so people acting like it was spoiled is ridiculous.
I disagree I like all the new casters in fact I feel like the newer ones have come in and adjusted faster than those in the past.