Schmaragon

Schmaragon is a third-person MOBA with shared experience, created using assets from Paragon. Teams share a level, and all their members gain abilities and items at the same time. You can choose your hero’s abilities and change heroes after a match has started.

Heroes and roles

Heroes vary considerably in power: the Juggernaut role is 4 to 5 times as powerful as the Scout role. The Juggernaut has the greatest impact on a match, while the less influential Scout is presented as a better choice for beginners. The Skirmisher is the third role. Heroes can also have a controllable mutt or beast companion that offers combat and tactical advantages.

The game has a steep learning curve and a high time-to-kill. Some high-level heroes can take significantly longer to defeat than heroes in other MOBAs. The default heroes Kwang, Serath and Crunch are not affected by permadeath, and you can switch to one during a match.

Shared team progression

Each team’s members share the same XP level and acquire abilities and items simultaneously. If a player leaves, another player at the same XP level can replace them. A player who is AFK for 1 minute is removed from the match; 2 minutes without contributing, such as dealing damage to enemies, results in a ban from the match. Team members can also vote to ban a teammate, with 4 of 6 votes required.

Dying frequently reduces the XP given to the opposing team, while getting many kills increases your bounty. Players who stay until the match ends receive bonus hero lives. Leaving mid-match is not penalized, though finishing offers this reward.

Hero lives

Heroes begin with a limited number of lives and lose one when defeated. You can regain lives by vanquishing creeps, defeating enemy heroes or participating until the match ends. Lives are stored permanently on a central server and carry over between matches; if a hero runs out, you can no longer play as that hero. Completing a match without toxic behavior can earn extra lives.

A hero’s death affects that player, while the effect on the team is minor. The system makes lives a persistent resource: victories can feel more meaningful, and the risk of losing a hero can encourage players to adapt and improve their strategies.

Jungle orbs

Three orbs—red, blue and green—grant powerful bonuses that can affect the outcome of a match. They are placed randomly in the jungle at the start of the game. A bonus lasts until its holder is killed, then the orb returns to a random jungle location for another player to claim.