Frontline aggressively, sustain with Bloodletting, deal AoE damage with Slice and Dice, and execute with Killing Blow.

Close Quarters, Melee Lifesteal, Berserker, then defensive items like Colossus and Improved Bullet Armor.

Is Shiv good for beginners?

Yes, Shiv's straightforward kit and durability make him a great introduction to the brawler playstyle.

How do I counter Shiv?

Anti-heal items shut down his Bloodletting sustain. Kite him with slows and ranged poke. Burst damage before he stacks Bloodletting.

Brawler

Shiv Guide — Abilities, Builds & Strategy

Shiv is a durable frontline brawler built for sustained close-quarters combat. Serrated Knives and Bloodletting provide exceptional sustain, while Slice and Dice delivers devastating AoE damage. Killing Blow executes low-health enemies and resets, making Shiv a relentless pursuer who never stops fighting.

Quick Summary

Shiv is a brawler hero in Deadlock, the hybrid MOBA-shooter by Valve. With 830 max health, 52.246 weapon DPS, and 3 stamina,Shiv excels at frontline combat and sustained trades.Core strengths: Shiv excels against squishy backline heroes who cannot survive his relentless pursuit. He dominates extended engagements.. Key weakness: Heroes with strong kiting and slows. Anti-heal items significantly reduce Bloodletting sustain. Grey Talon and Vindicta can keep distance..Find Shiv's abilities, builds, matchups, and tier ranking on GameGoldLab.

Shiv Base Stats

Role: Brawler
Max Health: 830
Max Move Speed: 6.5
Stamina: 3
Base Health Regen: 2
Light Melee Damage: 50
Heavy Melee Damage: 116

Shiv Weapon Stats

DPS: 52.246
Sustained DPS: 34.647
Bullet Damage: 4.8
Rounds Per Second: 1.8141
Clip Size: 10
Reload Time: 2.8s
Bullet Speed: 609.6
Can Crit: Yes

Shiv Abilities

Ability 1: Serrated Knives
Ability 2: Slice and Dice
Ability 3: Bloodletting
Ability 4: Killing Blow

Shiv Guide — Strategy & Tips

Early Game

Trade aggressively with Serrated Knives and sustain through Bloodletting. Slice and Dice wave clears efficiently. Look for Killing Blow executes on low-health enemies. Prioritize Melee Lifesteal and health items.

Mid Game

Group with your team and frontline objectives. Bloodletting makes you deceptively tanky — bait enemies into overcommitting. Slice and Dice through multiple enemies for max value.

Late Game

Killing Blow resets win chaotic team fights. Position aggressively but track enemy CC cooldowns. Bloodletting heals massive amounts when stacked. Your job is to create space and execute priority targets.

Combos

Serrated Knives (slow) → Slice and Dice → Bloodletting (sustain) → Killing Blow execute. For initiation: Slice and Dice through frontline → track low-health targets for Killing Blow reset.

Strong Against

Shiv excels against squishy backline heroes who cannot survive his relentless pursuit. He dominates extended engagements.

Weak Against

Heroes with strong kiting and slows. Anti-heal items significantly reduce Bloodletting sustain. Grey Talon and Vindicta can keep distance.

Synergies

Pairs well with Kelvin (speed boost enables engages) and Dynamo (setup for multi-target Slice and Dice).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I play Shiv?: Frontline aggressively, sustain with Bloodletting, deal AoE damage with Slice and Dice, and execute with Killing Blow.
What items on Shiv?: Close Quarters, Melee Lifesteal, Berserker, then defensive items like Colossus and Improved Bullet Armor.
Is Shiv good for beginners?: Yes, Shiv's straightforward kit and durability make him a great introduction to the brawler playstyle.
How do I counter Shiv?: Anti-heal items shut down his Bloodletting sustain. Kite him with slows and ranged poke. Burst damage before he stacks Bloodletting.