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Kelvin · Brawler

Kelvin beginner guide

BeginnersData-drivenMediumPatch 2026-09-16
743Updated

This guide is assembled by the site from match data and the game's own information — nobody wrote it by hand. Official and community guides appear alongside it when they exist.

Overview

Kelvin is a brawler in Deadlock: freezes enemies in their tracks. Over the last two weeks it is A tier: 54.3% win rate in 111,152 games, picked in 19.6% of matches. In short: freezes enemies in their tracks.

Strengths

  • One of the strongest guns in the game: 70.86 base weapon DPS, #5 of 38 heroes.
  • Long-range gun: damage only starts to drop at 20 m and bottoms out at 58 m.
  • Durable from the start: 880 base health, #2 of 38.

Weaknesses

  • Where it wins least: Ascendant games (52.3%).

Builds

Kelvin: most played build

BalancedRecommended
Open build

When to use it

The items Kelvin players buy most in each phase of the game over the last two weeks (111,152 games measured), with how many buy them and how they do. Skill points in the most played order (3,963 games, 59.3% win rate).

Laning phase

Extra ChargeBought by 66.0% of players in this phase · 54.9% win rateExtra RegenBought by 57.6% of players in this phase · 54.7% win rateExtra SpiritBought by 49.1% of players in this phase · 55.3% win rateHigh-Velocity RoundsBought by 28.0% of players in this phase · 52.1% win rateOpening RoundsBought by 23.8% of players in this phase · 51.8% win rateHealing BoosterBought by 20.1% of players in this phase · 55.4% win rate

Mid game

  1. 1Improved SpiritBought by 50.2% of players in this phase · 54.4% win rate
  2. 2Mystic VulnerabilityBought by 39.8% of players in this phase · 57.3% win rate
  3. 3HealbaneBought by 35.2% of players in this phase · 56.3% win rate
  4. 4Rapid RechargeBought by 34.9% of players in this phase · 57.1% win rate
  5. 5Trophy CollectorBought by 30.4% of players in this phase · 54.4% win rate
  6. 6Mystic ExpansionBought by 27.6% of players in this phase · 55.5% win rate

Late game

Boundless SpiritBought by 60.7% of players in this phase · 58.4% win rateEscalating ExposureBought by 53.2% of players in this phase · 57.7% win rateSuperior CooldownBought by 45.3% of players in this phase · 57.9% win rateGreater ExpansionBought by 45.2% of players in this phase · 57.5% win rateSuperior DurationBought by 40.5% of players in this phase · 59.1% win rateSpirit BurnBought by 36.3% of players in this phase · 62.9% win rate

Skill order

Max order:3›1›2

Ability123456789101112131415
111··1······1···
2···2·2····2·2··
3··3····333·····
4······4······44

Abilities

  • 1Frost Grenade30sThrow a grenade that explodes in a cloud of freezing ice that heals allies and applies spirit damage and move speed reduction to enemies.
    Damage
    60
    Heal Amount
    60
    Move Speed
    -32%
    Slow Duration
    4s
    Charges
    2
  • 2Ice Path50sKelvin creates a floating trail of ice and snow that gives movement bonuses to him and his allies. Kelvin gains 60% slow resistance for the duration. Enemies can also walk on the floating trail. Press Dash / Crouch / slide to travel up or down while in Ice Path.
    Move Speed
    +2m
    Sprint Speed
    +2m
    Ice Trail Duration
    18s
  • 3Arctic Beam28sShoot freezing cold energy out in front of you, damaging targets and progressively reducing their movement and fire rate the longer you sustain the beam on them. You have reduced move speed while using Arctic Beam. The beam may also claim Souls.
    Damage Per Second
    45
    Max Move Speed
    -16%
    Max Fire Rate
    -20%
    Time To Max Debuff
    2.0s
    Beam Length
    25m
  • 4Frozen ShelterUltimate185sTarget yourself or a Hero to freeze the air and create an impenetrable dome around them. While in the dome, allies gain rapid regeneration and enemies are slowed. Objectives becomes Invulnerable and Frozen under Frozen Shelter
    Health Regen
    +90
    Move Speed
    -28%

Most played skill order

The most played order in the last 3963 professional matches with this hero. Highlighted levels are the points spent on talents.

Max order:3›1›2

Ability123456789101112131415
111··1······1···
2···2·2····2·2··
3··3····333·····
4······4······44

Strategy

1Your abilities

Keys 1 to 4; 4 is the ultimate:

  • 1 · Frost Grenade — 30s cooldown: Throw a grenade that explodes in a cloud of freezing ice that heals allies and applies spirit damage and move speed reduction to enemies.
  • 2 · Ice Path — 50s cooldown: Kelvin creates a floating trail of ice and snow that gives movement bonuses to him and his allies. Kelvin gains 60% slow resistance for the duration. Enemies can also walk on the floating trail. Press Dash / Crouch / slide to travel up or down while in Ice Path.
  • 3 · Arctic Beam — 28s cooldown: Shoot freezing cold energy out in front of you, damaging targets and progressively reducing their movement and fire rate the longer you sustain the beam on them. You have reduced move speed while using Arctic Beam. The beam may also claim Souls.
  • 4 · Frozen Shelter (ultimate) — 185s cooldown: Target yourself or a Hero to freeze the air and create an impenetrable dome around them. While in the dome, allies gain rapid regeneration and enemies are slowed. Objectives becomes Invulnerable and Frozen under Frozen Shelter

2Where to put your first points

Unlock order most players use: Frost Grenade (1) → Arctic Beam (3) → Ice Path (2) → Frozen Shelter (4).

  • Upgrade Arctic Beam first, then Frost Grenade; put points in the ultimate when you can.

Tips

  • Last-hit troopers and shoot the soul orbs they drop: souls are your gold and your level.
  • Deny the enemy's orbs when you can: every denied orb is souls they don't get.
  • Spend your souls at the shop often: an unspent 3,200 is a tier 3 item you are not using.
  • Parry melee attacks when you see them coming: a good parry stuns the attacker.
  • Unlock order most players use: Frost Grenade (1) → Arctic Beam (3) → Ice Path (2) → Frozen Shelter (4).
  • Upgrade Arctic Beam first, then Frost Grenade; put points in the ultimate when you can.

Matchups

Strong against

  • Mirage60.2%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin wins 60.2% of the 9,242 games measured against Mirage in the last two weeks.

    9.2K matches

  • Sinclair60.1%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin wins 60.1% of the 9,925 games measured against Sinclair in the last two weeks.

    9.9K matches

  • Paradox59.5%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin wins 59.5% of the 17,727 games measured against Paradox in the last two weeks.

    17.7K matches

  • Mina59.3%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin wins 59.3% of the 18,171 games measured against Mina in the last two weeks.

    18.2K matches

  • Pocket58.9%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin wins 58.9% of the 14,159 games measured against Pocket in the last two weeks.

    14.2K matches

Weak against

  • Graves47.5%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin only wins 47.5% of the 20,735 games measured against Graves in the last two weeks.

    20.7K matches

  • Paige48.3%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin only wins 48.3% of the 25,511 games measured against Paige in the last two weeks.

    25.5K matches

  • Victor48.5%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin only wins 48.5% of the 17,216 games measured against Victor in the last two weeks.

    17.2K matches

  • Seven49.1%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin only wins 49.1% of the 18,442 games measured against Seven in the last two weeks.

    18.4K matches

Works well with

  • Paige61.1%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin and Paige on the same team win 61.1% of 1,331 games measured in the last two weeks.

    1.3K matches

  • Graves60.5%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin and Graves on the same team win 60.5% of 4,056 games measured in the last two weeks.

    4.1K matches

  • Seven60.4%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin and Seven on the same team win 60.4% of 3,930 games measured in the last two weeks.

    3.9K matches

  • Dynamo59.4%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin and Dynamo on the same team win 59.4% of 1,200 games measured in the last two weeks.

    1.2K matches

  • Victor58.9%win rate in the matchup

    Kelvin and Victor on the same team win 58.9% of 3,491 games measured in the last two weeks.

    3.5K matches

Changelog

  1. Guide created for patch 2026-09-16.

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