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Best Paradox Deadlock build: Carbine Cannon

Connor Knudsen

Connor Knudsen

· 3 min read

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 deadlock
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 TypeItem
WeaponHigh-Velocity Mag
SpiritMystic Burst
WeaponHollow Point Ward
VitalityExtra Charge
VitalitySprint Boots
WeaponExtra Charge

Mid game

Start to stay at range and punish aggression.

Item TypeItem
WeaponLong Range
VitalityCombat Barrier
WeaponSoul Shredder Bullets
SpiritImproved Cooldown
VitalityEnduring Speed
VitalityReactive Barrier

Late game

Continue funneling resources into Kinetic Carbine.

Item TypeItem
SpiritImproved Burst
SpiritSuperior Cooldown
WeaponSharpshooter
WeaponPristine Emblem
VitalitySuperior Stamina

Uber late game

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

Item TypeItem
WeaponGlass Cannon
VitalityInhibitor
SpiritRapid Recharge
SpiritSurge 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)

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.

StrengthsWeaknesses
Very high single burst DPSSkillshots can be tough to hit
Good mobilityLacks some AoE damage
Great abilities for PvESituational ultimate

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