The way that god mastery works in Smite 2 is completely different from Smite 1. For better or worse, the system has changed and in this article, I’ll tell you exactly what’s different

If you have legacy gems, they will function as a coupon that gives you 50% off of your purchase. But, you have to use diamonds too. Each ascension pass will cost you. None of them are free so far but they do come with some of the Founder’s packs. 

You have to have the ascension pass to unlock the new skins that you get when you rank up. Although some of the items on the pass are free, nothing worthwhile is free, in my opinion. I’m curious to see if the system will change as the months progress. During the 24/7 Alpha, I wrote this article.