Deadlock Magician build guide

Creating the perfect Deadlock Magician build may challenge players since it is recently added and has some interesting mechanics to work around. Added as an experimental Hero on October 24, 2024, this Hero focuses on mobility and crowd control. It will likely become a common pick for high MMR players who play Deadlock characters, such as Paradox, Mirage and Wraith.

According to the in-game lore, his real name was Henry, and he loved magic. He fell in love with a girl named Savannah in high school and married her despite his family's disapproval. Tragically, an on-stage accident during a magic trick claimed their lives, leaving them as eternally bound ghosts. Now, they are trapped in the same magician's body and try to cooperate.

Here's the best possible Deadlock Calico build to help you dominate the lanes.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

How to play Magician in Deadlock: Brief overview

The Magician wields a burst assault rifle that looks exactly the same as Deadlock's highest winrate character, Seven. However, it has a significantly slower fire rate and slightly higher damage. He is built to create confusion and control the Lane using unique teleportation skills.

Do note that his health pool is low, and reckless plays can quickly turn against him. The Magician requires really good decision-making skills, but players who master his abilities easily will find themselves controlling the Lanes dominantly.

Magician's strength & weakness in Deadlock

Strengths:

High damage and great range.
Quick and easy-to-understand teleportation mechanics.

Weaknesses:

Abilities require precise timing and positioning that could make it complex.
Abilities do not deal high damage.
Low health pool makes him vulnerable in encounters against multiple enemies.

Deadlock Magician build: Abilities explained

Magician is all about disruption and calculated gameplay. Here are the four abilities he has:

Vexing Bolt: Fire a bolt of magic that deals Spirit Damage and applies a Fading Slow.
Spectral Assistant: Summon an Assistant at the target location. They mimic your attacks, throwing cards that deal Spirit Damage.
Rabbit Hex: Hex a target, transforming them into a Rabbit. Rabbits are smaller and move faster but receive a Damage Amp and cannot perform most actions.
Paradoxical Swap: Fire a projectile that swaps your position with the target enemy hero. While the effect occurs, you gain spirit lifesteal and the enemy takes damage over time.

Deadlock Magician build: Best items

Deadlock Magician build (Image via Valve)

Here are the best items you can buy from The Curiosity Shop to make an effective build for Magician in Deadlock:

1) Best early-game items

Close Quarters: +85 Bullet Shield Health, +25% Weapon Damage within a 15m range.
Hollow Point Ward: +85 Spirit Shield Health, +4 Spirit Power.
Active Reload: +10% Weapon Damage, -20% Reload Time.
Mystic Burst: +40 Spirit Shield Health, +6% Weapon Damage.
Extra Charge: +1 Bonus Ability Charge, +10% Cooldown Reduction for Charged Abilities, +6% Weapon Damage.
Extra Stamina: +1 Stamina, +14% Stamina Recovery, +7% Fire Rate.
Spirit Lifesteal: +23% Spirit Lifesteal, +75 Bonus Health.
Bullet Lifesteal: +28% Bullet Lifesteal, +75 Bonus Health.
Bullet Armor: +25% Bullet Resist, +6% Weapon Damage.

2) Best mid-game items

Mystic Shot: +12% Weapon Damage, +4 Spirit Power.
Point Blank: +15% Bullet Resist, +1 Stamina. Within 15m range, +45% Weapon Damage and +25% Movement Slow effect for 2s.
Lifestrike: +40% Melee Damage, +125 Bonus Health, +8% Bullet Resist. Melee attack slows enemy movement by 60% and heals you for 55% of your Melee Damage +110.
Veil Walker: +200 Bullet Shield Health, +200 Spirit Shield Health, +12% Ammo,+10% Weapon Damage. Walking through Cosmic Veil will make you invisible for 5s.
Leech: +35% Spirit Lifesteal, +35% Bullet Lifesteal, +175 Bonus Health, +12 Spirit Power, +15% Weapon Damage.
Rapid Recharge: +2 Bonus Ability Charges, +65% Faster Time Between Charges, +30% Charged Ability Cooldown Reduction, +12% Weapon Damage.
Improved Spirit: +23 Spirit Power, +2 Health regen, +1m/s Sprint speed, +100 Bonus Health.

3) Best end-game items

Superior Cooldown: +32% Imbued Ability Cooldown Reduction, +24% Non-Imbued Ability Cooldown Reduction, +4 Health Regen.
Diviner's Kevlar: +20% Spirit Lifesteal, +12% Cooldown Reduction. When you use your Ultimate, you get 700 Bullet Shield and Spirit Shield for 15s.
Boundless Spirit: +60 Spirit Power, +25% Weapon Damage, +300 bonus health, +15 Health Regen, +2m/s Sprint Speed.
Improved Burst: +100 Spirit Shield Health, +8% Weapon Damage.
Improved Bullet Armor: +50% Bullet Resist, +10% Weapon Damage.

Best tips to remember while playing Magician in Deadlock

Here are some tips to follow while making the Deadlock Calico build or playing the character:

Keep experimenting with the build by adding or removing new items that complement your play style.
Explore the indoors for Gold Urns and crates as they can give you some extra perks and Souls.
Do not solo push, focus on strategy and steady Lane control.

FAQs about Deadlock Magician

Q1) Can we currently play Magician in Deadlock?

A) Magician is only available as an "Experimental Hero" to try in the Sandbox and Hero Testing modes. It is yet to be added to the main game mode.

Q2) Is Magician good for beginners?

A) Magician is a complicated character that requires precise aim and good-decision decision-making skills. If you are new, then other Deadlock Heroes might be better for you.

Q3) Is Magician more focused on offense or defense?

A) The answer to this question is a bit of a mixed bag. Magician can be used in either of the playstyles depending on the situation. However, it is recommended to focus on defense while playing as him.

More Deadlock build guides:

Deadlock Seven Build Guide
Deadlock Calico build guide
Deadlock Abrams build guide