Best Paradox Deadlock build: Carbine Cannon

Connor Knudsen

Connor Knudsen

This Paradox Deadlock build is one of the deadliest out there.

One of the most satisfying feelings in Deadlock is landing a shot that is so deadly that you can get a one-shot elimination, or at least something close to it. With this Paradox Carbine Cannon build, you can do just that thanks to the power of the Kinetic Carbine ability and the Glass Cannon item. Here's how.

Paradox build (Image via esports.gg)
Paradox build (Image via esports.gg)

Best Paradox build for insane damage

Build name to search: Paradox Carbine Cannon - esports.gg

Paradox can be an acquired taste in Deadlock, with some aspects of their kit being tough to use. However, if you can master the Kinetic Carbine and properly scale it, this build can really take off.

Early game

Play a slightly slower early laning phase and look to move in with Carbine hits.

Item Type
Item
Weapon
High-Velocity Mag
Spirit
Mystic Burst
Weapon
Hollow Point Ward
Vitality
Extra Charge
Vitality
Sprint Boots
Weapon
Extra Charge

Mid game

Start to stay at range and punish aggression.

Item Type
Item
Weapon
Long Range
Vitality
Combat Barrier
Weapon
Soul Shredder Bullets
Spirit
Improved Cooldown
Vitality
Enduring Speed
Vitality
Reactive Barrier

Late game

Continue funneling resources into Kinetic Carbine.

Item Type
Item
Spirit
Improved Burst
Spirit
Superior Cooldown
Weapon
Sharpshooter
Weapon
Pristine Emblem
Vitality
Superior Stamina

Uber late game

Rush Glass Cannon if you can since it's the centerpiece of the build.

Item Type
Item
Weapon
Glass Cannon
Vitality
Inhibitor
Spirit
Rapid Recharge
Spirit
Surge of Power

Paradox abilities and upgrades

Paradox's Kinetic Carbine can become extremely powerful and provide a lot of utility to any team fight. Look to scale this immediately, with Pulse Grenade also being a great tool for jungling and controlling areas.

  • Pulse Grenade: Throw a grenade that begins pulsing when it lands. Each pulse applies damage and movement slow while stacking damage amplification for Paradox against an enemy.
  • Time Wall: Create a time warping wall that stops time for all enemy projectiles and bullets that touch it. Enemies that touch the wall will take damage as a percentage of their max health and be briefly slowed.
  • Kinetic Carbine: Start charging your weapon and gain increased movement speed once it's fully charged. Your next shot will release energy, dealing spirit damage and applying a time stop to the enemy hit. The damage dealt is an amplification of your current weapon damage. You can slow time of yourself by pressing [Alt Fire] while an empowered shot is available.
  • 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.
Ability upgrade order (Image via esports.gg)
Ability upgrade order (Image via esports.gg)

Strengths and weaknesses of this Paradox 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
Very high single burst DPS
Skillshots can be tough to hit
Good mobility
Lacks some AoE damage
Great abilities for PvE
Situational ultimate

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