Shiv Build & Ability Order
A rage-driven brawler who keeps pressing forward, stacks attrition well, and turns repeated contact into overwhelming pressure.
Shiv is a bleed-and-chase fighter who keeps moving from one target to the next through stacking and reset mechanics, making him a classic cleanup threat.
Shiv AI Quick Summary
Shiv is a Brawler hero in Deadlock (Difficulty 3/5). Shiv is a bleed-and-chase fighter who keeps moving from one target to the next through stacking and reset mechanics, making him a classic cleanup threat. In live patch 07-01-2026: Shiv received mixed tuning. Bleed and execute-related values were adjusted, but his overall play pattern remains intact.
Shiv quick answer
Start with the three answers most hero searches need: whether to practice this hero, what the guide covers, and which build section to read first.
Quick answer
Start from Shiv's current patch status, then move into a usable build and counter checklist.
Guide focus
build path, abilities, core items, and counter decisions
Build first
Start with the opening buys item phase, then continue into ability order and counter routes.
Decision Summary
Read these four judgments first, then decide whether to go deeper into builds, matchups, or patch context.
Who Should Pick This Now
Better once you already understand the patch and want to refine entry timing and trade discipline.
Read This First
Shiv received mixed tuning. Bleed and execute-related values were adjusted, but his overall play pattern remains intact.
How To Read The Build
The page has a structured route already, so you can read it phase by phase and convert it directly into live builds.
Best Next Click
Start with the patch note here, then move into recommended items and the latest patch for a full environment read.
Current Environment Status
Read this hero inside the current patch and recent community conversation before deciding why it deserves practice now or why it belongs on watch.
Environment read
Shiv received mixed tuning. Bleed and execute-related values were adjusted, but his overall play pattern remains intact.
Recent discussion heat
The usual discussion here is about steadier wins, engage margin, and whether this hero can reliably absorb first contact.
Suggested action
Confirm whether this hero can reliably absorb first contact and start the rhythm before treating it as a stable frontline anchor.
Shiv builds, items, and counters
These routes connect the hero guide to builds, counter items, and the wider tool set.
Shiv Deadlock builds
Compare phase routes, core items, and nearby hero build paths in the full build library.
Shiv build planner
Open this hero in Build Planner to tune around burst, survival, chase, or team utility.
Shiv counter builds
Narrow counter items against burst, frontline pressure, catch, or utility-heavy enemies.
Core item index
Review recommended items, same-category swaps, and patch context before locking the route.
Shiv guide focus
Built around common shiv deadlock build lookups, this section connects the hero overview, build route, ability order, core items, and counter paths in one reading flow.
What this page covers
build path, abilities, core items, and counter decisions
When this helps
Start from Shiv's current patch status, then move into a usable build and counter checklist.
Open full builds
Move into the build library to compare phase routes and replacement items.
Battle Profile
Read Shiv first through its frontline engage identity, then use the rest of the page to refine the execution details.
Primary win condition
Shiv wins most naturally through frontline engage, turning its Brawler role into real contact advantage.
Best fight shape
This hero wants to be the first body in, using health and reach to drag the fight into a familiar short-range brawl. Mobility is more measured, so entry and exit routes matter a lot more. The body is lighter, so positioning and timing matter more than trying to stand in front and absorb everything.
Main risk
The most common failure mode is simply fighting in the wrong distance band for the hero.
Quick Read
- Mobility is more measured, so entry pathing and positioning cost matter more.
- Base durability is lighter, so the hero depends more on timing, angle, or reset tools.
- Ammo is tighter, so the hero benefits more from selective, high-value windows.
Stats
- Health
- 660
- Move Speed
- 6.5
- Ammo
- 8
- Dps
- 52
Abilities
1 Busted Flush
Open with a violent close-range strike that lets Shiv immediately pressure life totals in a committed duel.
2 Serrated Knives
Layer repeatable bleeding pressure onto a target so Shiv's follow-up trades become harder and harder to survive.
3 Slice and Dice
Dash through the fight with cutting mobility that keeps Shiv glued to targets trying to peel away.
4 Bloodlust
Enter a finishing state that rewards aggression and gives Shiv the confidence to keep chasing through return damage.
Bleed Cleanup Build
Bleed Cleanup Build is a Brawler setup for Shiv. The main spike runs through Boundless Spirit and Phantom Strike. Late slots close the build with Arctic Blast and Cursed Relic.
Opening buys
Open with Melee Lifesteal and Extra Health to establish lane tempo and your first reliable contact pattern.
Core spike
Boundless Spirit and Phantom Strike define the first real power spike and should shape how Shiv wants to fight.
Late upgrades
Round the build out with Arctic Blast and Cursed Relic once the game shifts into full fights and finishing power matters more.
Flex slots
Swap toward Unstoppable or Colossus when the matchup demands extra protection, utility, or situational answers.
Tactical Guide
Lane Plan
- Best in offlane or jungle. Shiv wants to build threat through bleed stacks, short skirmishes, and the constant possibility of chase resets. He does not need every lane trade, but he does need enough contact to make enemies respect his finishing range.
Midgame Plan
- Melee Lifesteal plus Boundless Spirit gives Shiv the cleanup profile he wants. Once online, kill resets let him keep chaining onto the next target, and stacked bleed gives him relevance even into healthier frontliners if the fight runs long enough.
Teamfight Role
- In teamfights Shiv should usually wait until someone is already pressured or bleeding before fully committing. He is at his best as an execution piece who runs down weakened targets, not as the first hero to absorb every cooldown in the fight.
Common Mistakes
- Without bleed stacks, Shiv's raw basic attacks often feel too fair for a committed fight.
- If enemies kite him cleanly, he never reaches the stack threshold where the hero becomes scary.
- Entering too early removes the cleanup timing advantage that makes Shiv effective.
Patch Note For This Version
Shiv received mixed tuning. Bleed and execute-related values were adjusted, but his overall play pattern remains intact.
Where This Hero Excels
- Kill resets make chained chases extremely strong.
- High bleed stacks let him threaten even tanks.
- His chase power makes it hard for low-health enemies to escape.
What To Practice This Patch
- Shiv received mixed tuning. Bleed and execute-related values were adjusted, but his overall play pattern remains intact.
- The hero already has a structured build path, which makes phase-by-phase practice more straightforward.
- Execution asks for more precision, so stabilize entry timing and resource trades before forcing high-risk lines.
Overview
Shiv is a playable hero in Deadlock.
Strong Against
Weak Against
Key Watchouts
- Without stacks or tempo, his basic attacks are much less impressive.
- Kiting makes it difficult for him to fully build pressure.
- He is better at finishing and cleaning up than blindly forcing the first dive.
Recommended Pairings
Billy
Billy creates the front-line chaos and low-health targets Shiv wants to clean up.
Mo & Krill
Mo & Krill hold targets in place long enough for Shiv to stack and finish them.
Lash
Lash's disruptive engage often leaves enemies at the exact health threshold Shiv loves.
Skill order
Prioritize Busted Flush first, Slice and Dice second, and Serrated Knives third, taking Bloodlust whenever it becomes available. The opener row shows a practical first-allocation path: Busted Flush -> Busted Flush -> Slice and Dice -> Busted Flush -> Serrated Knives -> Bloodlust.
Priority
Combo order
Shiv 1-20 Skill Order Planner
Click level steps below to inspect skill unlock progression or switch build variants.
| Ability | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Busted Flush | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 20 | ||||||||||||||
| 2 Serrated Knives | 2 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 17 | |||||||||||||||
| 3 Slice and Dice | 4 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | |||||||||||||||
| 4 Bloodlust | 6 | 11 | 15 | 19 |
Patch Context
This page is the site's freshness anchor for the current version.
