Deadlock: Best Shiv Build Guide

Shiv, often referred to as the Elvis Presley of Deadlock, is one of the most formidable heroes in the game. With the right item build focusing on his bleeding damage, he can become a truly deadly presence. This guide covers the best Shiv build in Deadlock.

Shiv Skill Progression

All heroes in Deadlock have four abilities, including an ultimate. Here is the complete list of Shiv’s skills:

• Serrated Knives: Throw a knife that damages and slows an enemy. Each additional hit adds a stack and refreshes the debuff duration.
• Slice and Dice: Perform a dash forward, damaging enemies along the path.
• Bloodletting: Take only a portion of incoming damage immediately and defer the rest to be taken over time. Activate to clear a portion of the deferred damage.
• Killing Blow: Activate to leap towards an enemy hero and instantly kill them if their health is below the kill threshold, otherwise deal 200 damage to them.

Prioritize maxing out Serrated Knives and Slice and Dice before focusing on other skills. These abilities are what make Shiv particularly deadly. Use your ultimate only when enemies are below 20% health.

Best Shiv Item Build

To maximize Shiv’s capabilities, follow this item build. You can also set this build as your preset in-game by searching for “Shiv GameWitted” in the browse build section.

Early Game

In the early game, immediately acquire Extra Charge to give your Serrated Knives skill an extra charge. Next, get Close Quarters, Enduring Spirits, and Mystic Vulnerability.

After that, purchase Extra Stamina and Healbane to enhance your survivability during the laning phase.

• Extra Charge – 500
• Close Quarters – 500
• Enduring Spirits – 500
• Mystic Vulnerability – 1250
• Extra Stamina – 500
• Healbane – 1250

Mid-Game

Entering the mid-game, acquire Spirit Lifesteal, Soul Shredder Bullets, Slowing Bullets, and Kinetic Dash. These items will boost your damage and improve your ability to chase down enemies.

Next, get Improved Cooldown, Suppressor, and Point Blank to further enhance your damage and skills.

Finally, purchase Rapid Recharge and Superior Stamina to add more charge to your Serrated Knives skill.

• Spirit Lifesteal – 1250
• Soul Shredder Bullets – 1250
• Slowing Bullets – 1250
• Kinetic Dash – 1250
• Improved Cooldown – 1250
• Suppressor – 1250
• Point Blank – 3500
• Rapid Recharge – 3500
• Superior Stamina – 3500

Late-Game

In the late game, focus on acquiring Superior Cooldown, Improved Spirit, and Mystic Slow. Additionally, add Leech and Mystic Reverb to further boost your damage and lifesteal.

To complete your build, get Escalating Exposure and Silencer. You may also consider opting for Soul Rebirth for an extra life.

• Superior Cooldown – 4250
• Improved Spirit – 3500
• Mystic Slow – 4250
• Leech – 6300
• Mystic Reverb – 6300
• Escalating Exposure – 7550
• Silencer – 7550
• Soul Rebirth – 6300

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can create the best Shiv build in Deadlock and be the fearsome gangster who will bleed enemies dry.

If you haven’t received an invitation to the playtest yet, check out our guide on how to join the Deadlock playtest.