Deadlock Builds: How Builds Work

§01How builds work#

A build is the order you buy items in. Every hero has nine item slots (plus three extra slots after your team destroys enemy Walkers), and the shop has four price tiers: 800, 1,600, 3,200 and 6,400 souls. Buying an upgrade uses the component you already own and discounts it from the price.

Three questions decide almost every build:

1. Where does the hero’s damage come from? Abilities (spirit), the gun (weapon) or both.
2. What keeps you alive? Health, shields and resistances matched to the enemy’s damage.
3. What is the enemy doing? Healing, crowd control, burst — buy the specific answer when it’s hurting your team.

§02Reading a build#

Community builds in the in-game Build Browser show item order but rarely explain it. When you read one, look for the item that changes how the hero plays (often the first 3,200-soul item), and treat the rest as flexible. Swap defensive items to match the enemy team rather than following a list.

§03Build framework for every hero#

Each hero guide has a build framework explaining what the kit rewards and which items fit it.

Role and lean are our editorial labels.