Trying to figure out the best heroes in Deadlock right now? This 2026 tier list ranks all 38 playable heroes from S to F based on current-patch win rates, pick rates, and real-match performance across ranked and unranked. Valve’s hero shooter is still an invite-only playtest, so the roster and balance shift constantly — the current meta rewards mobility and high effective HP, which has pushed a familiar set of carries and frontliners to the top. Below you’ll find the full tier table, the best picks to climb with, hidden gems, who to avoid, and how to read tiers sensibly (hint: don’t chase decimals).
Quick answer: The best Deadlock heroes this patch are Victor, Seven, Graves, and Kelvin (S-tier) — all sitting above a 54% win rate. Ivy, Paige, Dynamo, and Abrams are the easiest strong picks to climb with, while Kelvin is the most underrated (S-tier results at a low pick rate). Avoid Mirage, Shiv, and Grey Talon in ranked until they’re buffed. Rankings shift weekly, so treat this as a current snapshot.
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Deadlock Tier List 2026 (All 38 Heroes)
These placements blend win rate, pick rate, and match volume — so a hero with a sky-high win rate over few games ranks below a steadier performer. Tiers describe how much reliable value a hero brings in the current patch, not their absolute skill ceiling. Because live trackers weight data slightly differently (and update daily), we group heroes into bands rather than splitting hairs over exact ordering.
| Tier | Heroes |
|---|---|
| S | Victor, Seven, Graves, Kelvin |
| A | Ivy, Paige, McGinnis, Dynamo, Celeste, Lash, Mo & Krill, Vindicta, Warden, Haze, Abrams, Yamato, Infernus |
| B | Bebop, Pocket, Viscous, Lady Geist, Paradox, Holliday, Sinclair, Wraith, Calico, Apollo |
| C | Vyper, Mina, Billy, Fathom, Magician, Drifter, Doorman, Raven |
| D | Grey Talon, Shiv |
| F | Mirage |
Closed-beta caveat: Deadlock is still an invite-only playtest, and Valve patches it in small batches — a hero can jump from S to B in a single week. The August 12, 2026 update, for example, buffed Apollo and Vyper while nudging Billy and Wraith down. Always sanity-check placements against a live tracker before you commit dozens of hours to one hero.
S-Tier: The Best Deadlock Heroes
These four define the current meta — strong laners with the mobility, damage, or utility to swing any fight.
- Victor — the strongest scaling carry in the patch. If you’re willing to farm souls and stall to the late game, nobody beats his ceiling; he sits at or near the top of every live tracker.
- Seven — the highest-impact carry, with medium-range primary fire, area denial, a stun, and a base-shredding ultimate. Snowballs lanes hard and stays relevant all game.
- Graves — posts one of the single highest win rates in the game right now, a well-rounded damage dealer that punishes mistakes.
- Kelvin — the best support and the most underrated pick this patch: S-tier results at a comparatively low pick rate. Arctic Beam, Frost Grenade zones, and Ice Path reshape every fight and make his whole team harder to kill.
A-Tier: Strong, Reliable Picks
The size of A-tier is a good sign for Deadlock’s balance — every hero here is genuinely competitive, and your choice comes down to role and comfort. Mo & Krill is the best frontliner and a fantastic teamfighting teacher; Abrams is tanky and forgiving (and scary again after recent buffs); Ivy is the best hero to learn the game on and carries even from behind; Infernus remains a top damage carry with punishing Fire DoT; and Haze is a near-free win if you’re comfortable with aim-heavy shooters. Yamato has arguably the highest ceiling in the game — but only after 50+ hours of practice.
B and C Tiers: Situational & Comfort Picks
B-tier heroes (Bebop, Pocket, Viscous, Lady Geist, Paradox, Holliday, Sinclair, and others) are perfectly viable in the right comps or skilled hands — they just ask for more setup or specific matchups than the tiers above. C-tier picks (Vyper, Mina, Billy, and the newest additions still finding their footing) can work, but you’re fighting a slight uphill battle in ranked. Note that Mina is the patch’s most overrated hero — popular, but landing in the lower tiers by results.
D and F Tiers: Avoid in Ranked (For Now)
The bottom of the list — Grey Talon, Shiv, and Mirage — simply aren’t in a good spot until Valve patches them. Mirage in particular posts the lowest win rate in the game right now. They’re not unplayable in casual lobbies, but in ranked you’re handicapping yourself. In a mobility-and-HP meta, ground-bound, squishy heroes struggle most.
Best Heroes to Climb With in 2026
The highest win rate isn’t always the best climbing pick — you want heroes that are forgiving, carry from behind, and don’t punish a bad game. Our top recommendations:
| Goal | Hero | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Easiest S-tier | Dynamo | Massive teamfight ultimate — press R, win the fight. Low mechanical demand. |
| Learn the game | Ivy | Forgiving, mobile, and carries even when you’re losing. |
| Highest carry impact | Seven | Snowballs lanes and ends games; the best pure carry. |
| Best frontliner | Mo & Krill | Huge HP, point-and-click CC, wins lane and never falls off. |
| Best support | Kelvin | Team-wide value; makes everyone around him harder to kill. |
| Late-game scaling | Victor | Unbeatable late game if you can farm and stall. |
How to Read (and Use) This Tier List
- Don’t chase decimals. Live trackers disagree by a percent or two — tier bands matter more than whether a hero is “0.3% higher” than another.
- Comfort beats meta. A B-tier hero you’ve mastered will out-carry an S-tier hero you’ve never played.
- Deadlock rewards macro. Especially below the top ranks, last-hitting souls, warding, and objective timing matter more than raw mechanics.
- Re-check after every patch. Valve updates in small batches and the meta swings fast — a saved screenshot from three patches ago is already wrong.
- Match your hero to your role. Carry, frontline, or support — fill what your team needs rather than force-picking the #1 overall.
Current Deadlock Meta: What’s Strong Right Now
The 2026 meta is defined by mobility and effective HP. Heroes that can fly, wall-bounce, and reposition at low stamina cost dominate every bracket, while inflated HP pools have made burst-reliant, ground-bound heroes feel weaker by comparison. That’s why carries like Seven and Victor, mobile threats like Yamato and Haze, and durable frontliners like Mo & Krill and Abrams are thriving — they all share the winning profile of survivability plus the damage to punish mistakes. If you’re picking blind, lean toward heroes with an escape or a repositioning tool.
Conclusion
Deadlock’s 2026 meta keeps Victor, Seven, Graves, and Kelvin at the top, with a deep A-tier that means most heroes are viable if you know them. But the real takeaway is that Deadlock is still a fast-moving playtest — the smart move isn’t memorizing this chart, it’s understanding why the top heroes are strong (mobility, HP, reliable damage) and picking one per role that suits your playstyle. Climb with a forgiving carry like Ivy or Dynamo, respect the macro game, and re-check the rankings after each patch. We’ll keep this list current as the meta evolves — good luck on the ladder.
For more Deadlock guides, hero builds, and patch breakdowns, dive into our latest gaming guides and updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best hero in Deadlock right now?
Victor, Seven, Graves, and Kelvin are the current S-tier heroes, all sitting above a 54% win rate. Victor and Seven are the strongest carries, Graves posts one of the highest win rates in the game, and Kelvin is the best (and most underrated) support.
How many heroes are in Deadlock in 2026?
38 playable heroes as of the August 12, 2026 patch. Valve adds new characters in small batches during the playtest, so the roster keeps growing.
Is Deadlock fully released?
No. As of 2026, Deadlock is still an invite-only playtest rather than a full Steam release, though it already has ranked matchmaking and a large, active player base.
What are the best heroes to climb with?
Dynamo (easiest S-tier), Ivy (best to learn on), Seven (highest carry impact), Mo & Krill (best frontliner), and Kelvin (best support). These are forgiving and can carry games even when you’re behind.
Which heroes should I avoid in ranked?
Grey Talon, Shiv, and Mirage are the weakest picks this patch, with Mirage posting the lowest win rate. They’re best avoided in ranked until Valve buffs them. Mina is also overrated relative to her results.
What defines the current Deadlock meta?
Mobility and high effective HP. Heroes that can fly, wall-bounce, and reposition cheaply dominate, while inflated HP pools have weakened burst-reliant, ground-bound heroes. Survivability plus reliable damage is the winning profile.
How often does the Deadlock tier list change?
Frequently. Valve patches in small batches and the meta can swing weekly, so a hero can move a full tier in days. Always check the latest patch notes and a live tracker before committing to a main.
Does this tier list use win rate only?
No. Placements combine win rate, pick rate, and match volume, so a hero with a high win rate over few games ranks below a steadier performer. Tiers reflect reliable current-patch value rather than a raw win-rate sort.