Olympus Bolts is a team participating in the Smite Pro League. The team is owned and operated by Hi-Rez Studios.
History
The Olympus Bolts formed ahead of Season 8 of the SPL in February 2021, alongside seven other teams managed directly by Hi-Rez. The initial roster consisted almost entirely of the former roster of Renegades, retaining Lasbra, Venenu, AwesomeJake408, and BaRRaCCuDDa. Joining the team was SPL rookie Haddix from Get a Grip, who replaced SoloOrTroll.
2021 Season
Season 8 was an optimistic season for the Olympus Bolts. The team remained the same despite their unfortunate year as the Renegades. With rookie Haddix as their new solo laner, the team started off with a strong start. They ended the phase as a very competitive 4th seed, even managing to form a small rivalry with the Jade Dragons. This rivalry was mostly between Olympus Bolt's midlaner, Venenu, and Jade Dragon's midlaner, Hurriwind. This rivalry between players would soon evolve into a rivalry between teams. In a tournament setting, the match-up between the Jade Dragons and Olympus Bolts tended to favor the Jade Dragons. During the Phase 1 Playoffs tournament, the Olympus Bolts came in 2nd place, losing to the Jade Dragons. Despite this loss, the Olympus Bolts would continue to do well in the normal season, coming in 2nd place during Phase 2. During the Phase 2 Playoffs tournament, the Olympus Bolts would come in 3-4th place. During Phase 3, the Olympus Bolts would come in 2nd place. Unfortunately for the Olympus Bolts, they would land in 5-6th place during the Phase 3 Playoffs tournament. Coming into the Smite World Championship, the Olympus Bolts qualified for the tournament. They would then lose in the quarterfinals against the future 2022 world champions, the Atlantis Leviathans.
2022 Season
As season 9 was soon to start, the Olympus Bolts decided to stick together. This choice came from them feeling as if there was more to improve, especially since they did very well with Haddix in his rookie year. With the spring season starting, the Olympus Bolts had a good season. They retained their status as a top team, tying with the Jade Dragons in terms of win rate. However, the Olympus Bolts had not overcome the hurdle that is the Jade Dragons. The matchup had still favored the Dragons. During the Spring Masters Tournament, the Olympus Bolts would place 4th. During the summer season, the Olympus Bolts continue their dominance, placing 2nd below the Camelot Kings. During the Summer Masters Tournament, the Bolts would get eliminated during the quarter-final against the Oni Warriors. This loss against a team that they were historically favored against and overall poor tournament results would make Haddix accept the Solo lane position from the Atlantis Leviathans. As of August 18th, Haddix announced his departure from the team, and Baskin would take his place on the roster. The start of the fall split was not fortunate for the Olympus Bolts. Their only victory was against a weakened Solar Scarabs roster. Beyond that, they lost to too many teams, including the Valhalla Valkyries. It had seemed as though Haddix's departure took too much away from the Olympus Bolts, and it was made worse by the fact that he was their shot caller. Baskin also had a slow start, as he had not played SPL level smite since season 7 in eUnited and has not played competitive smite since his time in the SCC in season 8. For the Olympus Bolts, it would not get better until the middle of the phase. As confidence in the team was at its lowest, they were able to defeat the Oni Warriors twice in a row. Confidence in the team soared, and they would start to look competitive. However, while confidence in the team was high, their results did not look great. The team would be hard-stuck in 6th place. The team managed to get a victory against their long-time rival, the Jade Dragons. However, this was during a troll match as their standings were locked in and the teams were having fun. As their last match of the season, the Olympus Bolts would face the Valhalla Valkyries. The Olympus Bolts would win against the Valhalla Valkyries in a convincing fashion, with Baskin being their superstar. The end of the phase marked a return to form for the Olympus Bolts, with Baskin growing into his spot as a solo laner.
Coming into the Phase 3 Playoffs for Worlds, the Olympus Bolts would have to face the Camelot Kings. Barraccudda would test his strategy of first picking Danzaburo. While it didn't have much success against the Camelot Kings (2-0 loss), it would find success against the Tartarus Titans. In the loser's bracket of the tournament, the Olympus Bolts would face the Tartarus Titans who had picked up Cyno as their jungler after Layers was suspended. During this set, Barraccudda's strategy of first picking Danzaburo would prove crucial of to their win. The Tartarus Titans could not overcome this hurdle, but did fight back. The set would end in a 3-1 score, with the Olympus Bolts advancing. Continuing into the loser's bracket, the team would have to face the Jade Dragons. While competitive, the team would lose to the Jade Dragons by a 3-1 score. With the Olympus Bolts losing and coming in 4th, they would not be able to pick their opponent for the Quarterfinals of the Smite World Championship. Their opponent would be Hex Mambo, who remained unpicked by other teams. During the quarterfinals, Hex Mambo was the favorite to win their set against the Bolts. The EU SCC team composed of many ex-pros has been dominating the SWC Play-ins tournament and lower SPL teams. However, against the Olympus Bolts, their dominance would end. The Olympus Bolts would play very well against the Hex Mambo, taking the set in 2-0. The Olympus Bolts would move into the semifinals against their opponent, the Camelot Kings. The Olympus Bolts would play well against the Camelot Kings, however, the Camelot Kings were on a hot streak. The set would end in a 3-0 for the Kings, but the games were closer than the score would show. This would mark the end for the Olympus Bolts, ending in 4th/3rd place. The team tried their hardest and fought odds that some thought they would lose. In the end, they exceeded expectations.
United States
Styx Ferrymen
Jade Dragons
Highland Ravens
Oni Warriors
Atlantis Leviathans
Retired
2021 SMITE Pro League Phase 3