Best Abrams build in Deadlock: Melee Lifesteal

Connor Knudsen

Connor Knudsen

Here’s how to become and unkillable punching machine as Abrams in Deadlock.

If you have played Deadlock, then you likely already know how oppressive Abrams can be in the mid and late-game when they have their melee properly scaled. If you've ever wanted to do this kind of build yourself, we have the perfect one for you - Abrams Melee Lifesteal.

Image via esports.gg
Image via esports.gg

Best Abrams build for close-range sustain and lifesteal

Build name to search: Abrams Melee Lifesteal - esports.gg

This Abrams build in Deadlock is centered around scaling Abrams charged melee to make it more powerful than any weapon wishes it could be. However, getting this to scale does take some time, so play your early game a bit cautiously and don't feel the need to get overly aggressive.

Once you get this build online with items like Lifestrike and Torment Pulse, you can quickly become as aggressive as you would like.

Early Game:

Buy in any order based on your preference. Play cautiously in the early game as you will scale more in the mid and late game.

Item Type
Item
Vitality
Rapid Rounds
Spirit
Spirit Strike
Weapon
Restorative Shot
Weapon
Close Quarters
Virality
Sprint Boots

Mid Game

Use this to scale through the mid-game. Buy in any order.

Item Type
Item
Vitality
Enduring Speed
Weapon
Melee Charge
Vitality
Bullet Armor
Weapon
Berserker
Spirit
Bullet Resist Shredder

Late Game

It's finally time to become an unkillable punching machine. These are the core items of this build, starting with Lifestrike and Torment Pulse.

Item Type
Item
Vitality
Lifestrike
Spirit
Torment Pulse
Weapon
Point Blank
Vitality
Improved Bullet Armor
Vitality
Fortitude

Uber Late Game

If you end up in a longer game and have extra souls, save for these. Use Mystic Reverb on your 1 if you opt to use it. Get Leech first if possible.

Item Type
Item
Vitality
Leech
Spirit
Mystic Reverb
Weapon
Hunter's Aura
Vitality
Phantom Strike
Spirit
Superior Cooldown

Abrams abilities and upgrades

For this build, we utilize all of Abrams' abilities with a focus on Infernal Resilience. Below is a description of each ability and in what order we suggest you build them.

  • Siphon Life: Drain health from enemies in front of you while they are in the radius.
  • Shoulder Charge: Charge forward, colliding with enemies and dragging them along. Hitting a wall will Stun enemies caught by Abrams. Speed increased after colliding with enemy Heroes.
  • Infernal Resilience: Regenerate a portion of incoming damage over time.
  • Seismic Impact: Leap high into the air and choose a ground location to crash into. When you hit the ground, all enemies in the radius are damaged and stunned. Click Mouse 1 to crash down early.
Ability upgrade order (Image via esports.gg)
Ability upgrade order (Image via esports.gg)

Strengths and weaknesses of this Abrams build in Deadlock

As fun as this build is to play, it isn't perfect and you will run into some counter play. Here are the main strengths and weaknesses that we have encountered with this build.

Strengths
Weaknesses
Great sustain and overall health pool
Weak to poke damage, especially in the early game
Fun, high-mobility playstyle
Crowd control can slow you down
Excellent late game and has potential to win versus any hero
If an opponent is good at parrying, it can require some creativity

Be sure to check out our other Deadlock content, here at esports.gg!