Deadlock’s roster is expanding yet again with a thrilling new hero that’s capturing attention in the community. Renowned for her haunting battlefield mastery and summoner-inspired abilities, GRAVES introduces a distinctive flair to the game’s meta with her necromantic skills that can influence teamfights and alter the dynamics of space. This initial exploration highlights what sets Graves apart, examining her fundamental abilities and her role in Deadlock’s dynamic battlefield following the Old Gods, New Blood update.
Say Hi to Graves!
GRAVES steps into Deadlock as a master necromancer and area denial expert, crafted to dominate various lanes and stop enemy progress. In the Old Gods, New Blood update, this hero arrives alongside a thrilling lineup of six new characters, introduced on a staggered schedule shaped by community votes.
In online games, necromancer heroes are known for their mastery over the rhythm of combat, and Graves exemplifies this with skills that highlight crowd control, spirit damage, and relentless pressure throughout the battlefield.
GRAVES Abilities:
Jar of Dead Ability Explained
The first ability in Graves’s kit is Jar of Dead, which launches a jar that summons spectral heads. These floating heads repeatedly deal spirit damage to nearby enemies once summoned. This ability not only helps in wearing down foes over time but also contributes to controlling space during lane pushes or defensive plays.
Because it generates persistent damage over several seconds, Jar of Dead can force enemies to reposition and create openings for Graves’s team to capitalize on.
Grasping Hands: Battlefield Control
Graves’s second ability, Grasping Hands, summons a line of ghostly hands from the ground. Any enemy that passes through this line takes damage and is immobilized for a short duration. This makes Grasping Hands a powerful tool for zoning and locking down key targets, especially in tight chokepoints or during team skirmishes.
Using Grasping Hands effectively can separate enemy teams, set up your allies’ abilities, or buy time to reposition during crucial moments.
Essence Theft Passive
At the heart of Graves’s unique identity is her passive Essence Theft. This mechanic allows her weapon to steal Weapon Damage and Spirit Resist from targets she damages, stacking against up to three targets and an additional one at maximum level.
Essence Theft rewards sustained engagements and precision play, making Graves stronger as she chips away at enemy defenses. This passive not only enhances her overall damage output but also weakens opponents, giving her team a strategic edge in drawn-out fights.
Borrowed Decree Ultimate Ability
Graves’s ultimate ability, Borrowed Decree, embodies her necromantic theme. Calling forth a gravestone at a target location, this ability periodically summons ghouls that march toward the enemy base. These shambling undead deal melee damage and explode on death, inflicting spirit damage and applying a slowing effect to nearby foes.
This makes Borrowed Decree an excellent tool for both offensive pressure and defensive zoning, as the waves of ghouls can disrupt enemy formations and force reactions even far from Graves’s immediate position.
Graves is an intriguing addition to Deadlock’s lineup, particularly for those who appreciate tactical, high-impact heroes that command attention on the battlefield. Her skills emphasise spirit damage, crowd control, and the ability to apply pressure with summoned units, introducing fresh strategic dimensions that can transform matches in surprising ways.
No matter if you’re a seasoned Deadlock pro or a newcomer eager to embrace the summoner-style gameplay, keep an eye on Graves as she steps into the spotlight in the upcoming Old Gods, New Blood update.
