Someone’s got to lay down the law in Deadlock, and it might as well be you by playing Warden. This beefy hero can dish out plenty of damage, and with the right build, you’ll come out on top every time you drop into The Cursed Apple.
Here’s the best build for Warden in Deadlock including ability order, card selection, and a few gameplay tips.
Warden’s abilities in Deadlock
Like other Deadlock heroes, Warden has three main abilities and an ultimate:
- Alchemical Flask: Smashes a flask on the ground, damaging and slowing enemies hit and reducing their outgoing damage.
- Willpower: Grants Warden a shield that blocks Spirit damage and extra movement speed.
- Binding Word: Inflicts a curse on an enemy hero and summons a cage with a large radius. If the cursed hero doesn’t leave the cage in time, they become trapped and take damage.
- Last Stand (ultimate): Warden charges up, channels, and then releases waves of damage that heal him when affecting enemies.
Warden uses a heavier, slower-firing machine gun as his primary weapon with limited ammo in the early game and a slow reload time. The bullets have a little travel time and bullet drop too, making him one of the tougher heroes to aim with.
The trade-off is a very versatile kit of abilities that can see you spec into multiple different roles. We’re focusing on enhancing his Alchemical Flask first and keeping close to enemy targets to land those sweet headshots consistently.
The best build for Warden in Deadlock
Early game
For abilities, open with Alchemical Flask. Unlock each ability as they become available, but pump every skill point you’ve got into the Flask straight away as we want to get that decreased cooldown and better debuff on hit.
We’ll be focusing on Weapon and Spirit cards primarily, with an early push into improving our Stamina. I like to pick up an early Healing Rite as this allows for solid health regeneration after a fight away from the action, then I won’t touch many other health-related cards until the mid-game.
My build order starts with a Basic Magazine for that extra ammo capacity, then Extra Stamina and Mystic Burst for mobility and Flask enhancement. After that, if the laning stage is going well, I’ll get a Slowing Hex to further slow enemy heroes. Otherwise, pick up a Bullet Armor or Spirit Armor depending on the matchup and what damage your lane opponent is dealing.
Mid game
I aim to pick up Quicksilver Reload as soon as I can after reaching the second unlock for Alchemical Flask (two Ability Points). Tying the card to Flask means you’ll get an instant reload after throwing the ability, so be sure to run yourself dry on ammo before using the ability—open with your Blinding Word instead!
Then, I like to pick up Bullet Lifesteal for health regen while dealing damage and will upgrade ammo via Titanic Magazine so I can hold down the trigger for longer. For active cards, go for Fleetfoot and Heroic Aura.
Ability-wise, once completing the Flask upgrades, get to level two with all abilities before finishing with the five-point upgrade for your ultimate.
Late game
Here’s where you’ll really take off with your Spirit Cards since you’ll now be focusing on improving your ultimate, Last Stand. Attach Improved Reach and Superior Duration (in that order) to your ultimate, then throw on a Mystic Reverb. Hitting an enemy with your pulses now will slow them, and combined with your other abilities, you can lock down an entire group with a well-timed Flask and ultimate.
Close out with Crippling Headshot and Inhibitor for further damage and movement slow on hit, and Diviner’s Kevlar to become an unstoppable beast after using your ultimate. Be sure to sell your early-game items and pick up the late-game upgrades! For abilities, max out your Binding Word before finishing off with the final upgrade to Willpower.
As far as your combo goes, use your Fleetfoot to close the gap then throw out your Blinding Word before activating your ultimate. Once it’s active, hit Willpower for the speed boost and the Flask after you’ve emptied your magazine to keep them in range.
