Deadlock: Shiv Build

Deadlock – the new game from Valve, continues to evolve, release new patches, and gain popularity among the gaming community. This game is a third-person multiplayer shooter but stands out from other games in the genre as it combines mechanics from various genres, making it one of the most popular games of 2024. Since Deadlock is still in development, it continues to improve, with the developers working on new patches, heroes, and balance updates. Currently, the game features 22 heroes, each with unique abilities and attributes, requiring specific item builds and catering to different playstyles. In this article, we will provide a Shiv build guide, including the hero's characteristics and abilities.

Shiv Overview

Shiv is a hero in Deadlock, known for his exceptional abilities, strategic prowess, and deadly precision in taking down enemies. Shiv possesses unique skills and offers multiple build options for different playstyles. His versatility allows him to enhance his abilities, move efficiently across the map, push lanes, and eliminate enemies with ease.

Shiv was added to the game on August 15, 2024, and quickly became a fan favorite for many reasons, including his flexibility in various roles, fast map mobility, engaging gameplay, and unique abilities. Shiv is quite challenging for beginners and requires a certain level of skill in managing his abilities, but once mastered and with the right build, he can deal massive damage and turn the tide of a match, leading his team to victory. We have compiled a list of the best items for Shiv in Deadlock and will explain how to play him effectively to achieve success.

Shiv Item Build

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, Shiv is a highly versatile and powerful hero capable of playing many roles in the game, but to do so, you need to play well and have the right item build. Shiv's gameplay focuses on enhancing his abilities and relying on a hit-and-run tactic, making his playstyle quite engaging. He isn’t interested in fair play and can strike unexpectedly, being hard to hit due to his mobility, while also easily tearing through waves and towers. Like all heroes in Deadlock, Shiv has 4 abilities, each useful in specific situations.

It’s crucial to understand all the strengths and weaknesses of this hero and use that knowledge to determine your playstyle and item choices. We have compiled a list of the best Shiv items Deadlock for every stage of the game, and by using this build, you will increase your win rate and quickly achieve success in the game.

Shiv early game items

Shiv is quite a strong hero in the early game, with a good health pool and decent damage, but he needs items and levels to be effective. Shiv works well in any lane, so it’s very important to position yourself correctly and focus on farming early in the game to improve your items. Shiv is a highly mobile hero, so make sure to position yourself well and collect items that enhance your abilities and deal damage, allowing you to ambush enemies.

It’s best to start with Extra Charge and Extra Regen to increase ability damage and boost your lane survivability. Next, you should build Extra Health and Close Quarters to increase your health and attack damage, making it easier to last-hit creeps. Here are the best early-game items for Shiv build:

• Ammo Scavenger
• Extra Regen
• Restorative Shot
• Extra Charge
• Enduring Spirit
• Decay

Shiv mid-game build

Shiv has powerful abilities that allow him to deal significant damage, but he also needs a well-rounded item build to realize his full potential. Focus on building items that increase weapon damage and survivability. You should continue farming and pushing lanes, destroying enemy towers. It's also important to move efficiently across the map, tracking enemies and ambushing them, and aim to take down the mid-boss to gain artifacts and upgrades. Gradually upgrade your abilities and focus on fighting in tight spaces to fully utilize his skills. Here are the best items for this stage of the game:

• Duration Extender: Adds extra health and regeneration while also increasing ability duration.
• Mystic Shot: Your next bullet deals Spirit Damage.
• Mystic Vulnerability: When the target takes Spirit Damage, their Spirit Resist is reduced.
• Enduring Speed: Increases your speed and reduces the effects of enemy Movement Slow.
• Return Fire: Automatically fires a bullet at any attacker who damages you with their abilities or weapon.
• Spirit Lifesteal: Provides extra health and Spirit Lifesteal.
• Spirit Armor: Grants Spirit Power and Spirit Resist.
• Slowing Bullets: Your bullets apply Movement Slow.

Shiv final build in late-game

As the game reaches the late stage, Shiv becomes a formidable opponent, capable of quickly eliminating enemies. He has great potential for initiating team fights and can deal significant damage with his weapon and attack speed. Additionally, Shiv excels at distracting the enemy team and disrupting their positioning, allowing his team to take control of the battlefield. To master Shiv, you need to understand when to engage and when to retreat; this will make his playstyle more effective and the gameplay more dynamic, with high risk and high reward. Here are the best late-game items:

• Rapid Recharge
• Soul Shredder Bullets
• Mystic Slow
• Toxic Bullets
• Escalating Exposure
• Fortitude
• Colossus
• Improved Spirit Armor
• Escalating Resilience

Most items for Shiv are either Spirit or Vitality Items because you need to increase the hero's survivability and ability damage. Situational items like Leech, Superior Stamina, Debuff Reducer, and Magic Carpet can also be useful and boost the hero's durability and performance. Overall, you should gather some items in the early game, upgrade them in the mid-game, and then acquire even stronger items in the late game. By following this strategy, you will know how to play Shiv and create the best Shiv item build.

Shiv skillbuild

Properly upgrading abilities and using them effectively is just as important as item builds. Shiv’s first ability is Serrated Knives, where the hero throws a knife that deals damage and slows the enemy. Each additional hit adds a stack and refreshes the debuff duration, causing the damage to increase per stack.

The next ability is Slice and Dice, where Shiv dashes forward, dealing damage to enemies in front. Ultimate Unlock: While rage is full, an echo of Shiv retraces the dash path after a short delay, damaging enemies again.

Shiv's third ability is Bloodletting, a very useful ability, and many Shiv builds are centered around it. You only take a portion of incoming damage immediately, with the rest deferred over time. Activate it to cleanse some of the deferred damage.

Shiv's ultimate ability is Killing Blow. Activate to leap toward an enemy hero and instantly kill them if their health is below the kill threshold; otherwise, deal 200 damage to them. Killing Blow can quickly end a fight when used correctly, and maxing it allows you to move faster, execute at a higher threshold, and finally resets the skill on a successful finisher.

In our build, we recommend leveling Serrated Knives first, then Slice and Dice, followed by Bloodletting, and finally, Killing Blow at level four. After that, continue upgrading your abilities based on the game’s progress. For more detailed information, you can check out the Deadlock Meta Guide, where useful information about Deadlock meta is gathered.

How To Play Shiv

We’ve discussed abilities and items, so now let’s explain how to play as Shiv. Effective gameplay depends on the right strategy, farming, and item builds. In the early game, focus on last-hitting creeps and dealing damage to enemies using Serrated Knives and Slice and Dice. Move around the map and help your team take down towers and enemies. Next, gather the recommended items and position yourself well on the lane to farm efficiently.

As you level up and collect souls, buy and upgrade items according to your playstyle and the Deadlock Item build. Move across the map and eliminate enemies. Upgrade your abilities and use them in farming and battles. Utilize Slice and Dice and Bloodletting to engage quickly in fights while maintaining good survivability. Be cautious when facing heroes with mobility and ranged attacks, as they are effective counters to Shiv. We also recommend killing the mid-boss to gain an artifact and its advantages. To achieve optimal gameplay and item builds for Shiv, it's crucial to understand his strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

• Strong Laning Phase & Jungling
• Good mobility & Ganking potential
• High Single Target DPS
• High damage potential

Weaknesses:

• High Skill Floor & Ceiling
• No crowd control (CC) abilities
• Reliant on item builds

By understanding these factors, building the right items, and following our advice, you’ll be able to reach a high level of gameplay with Shiv.

Best Matchups for Shiv

Shiv can perform exceptionally well both solo and in a team. Typically, this hero takes on the tank role, making support or carry heroes excellent complements. It is important to choose heroes that can compensate for Shiv's weaknesses and enhance his strengths. The best options are heroes who can provide cover and healing. We recommend checking out the Deadlock Hero Tier List, as it will help you better understand the heroes and their abilities. Since Shiv has a good health pool and damage output, the best allies are Vindicta, Yamato, Infernus, and Ivy. These heroes can highlight Shiv's strengths and help secure victories.

Conclusion

In this text, we covered the Shiv guide, describing his abilities, attributes, best item and skill builds, as well as his playstyle. By understanding his strengths and weaknesses, learning to play effectively with him, and coordinating well with your team, you can maximize his potential and lead your team to victory. If you're a fan of esports and Deadlock, we recommend checking out our other articles, such as Best Deadlock Item Builds, Valve Deadlock Tips & Tricks and Deadlock: Wraith Guide.