Deadlock Abrams Guide for Beginners
If you are new to Deadlock and want a hero that forgives mistakes while still pushing the action, Abrams is one of the easiest places to start. He is a big, sticky bruiser who walks up to people, glues himself to them, and outlasts them. You do not need pixel-perfect aim or fast combos to get value out of him, which is exactly why so many beginners pick him first. As of June 2026 the game is still an invite-only test build with around 38 heroes, so treat everything here as directional and double-check the live numbers each patch on https://steamdb.com/en/deadlock.
Role and Playstyle
Abrams is a front-line brawler. His whole identity is getting in close, sticking to a target, and refusing to die while his team cleans up. He sustains himself with lifesteal while shooting, he has a dash that closes gaps, and his ultimate lets him leap onto a hero and pin them in place so they cannot run. Think of him as the guy who starts the fight and decides where it happens.
In lane he is steady. He trades hits well because his passive heals him back up when his bullets connect, so as long as you keep shooting at enemies (or even at the wave) you stay topped off. In the mid and late game your job is to walk in first, soak damage, and lock down the most important enemy so your higher-damage teammates can do the killing.
- Lane phase: farm Souls safely, use your sustain to win trades, do not over-extend past your guardian.
- Mid game: rotate to fights, dash onto a squishy hero, and force them to deal with you.
- Team fights: ult the enemy carry or support to pin them, then let your team collapse.
Strengths and Weaknesses
No hero is good at everything, and knowing where Abrams falls short keeps you from feeding. He is tanky and self-sufficient, but he is slow to threaten ranged heroes and he can be kited if you mistime your dash.
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Strong self-sustain from his shooting passive | Limited range, wants to be in your face |
| Reliable gap-closer to start fights | Can be kited by mobile or slow-stacking heroes |
| Ultimate locks down a key target | Falls off if the enemy buys anti-heal |
| Beginner-friendly, forgiving in lane | Telegraphed, good players will dodge the ult |
Basic Build Direction
Items in Deadlock come in three categories bought with Souls: Weapon, Vitality and Spirit. For Abrams the safe default is a Vitality-heavy build with enough Weapon to keep your gun and sustain relevant, plus a couple of Spirit picks for utility. Do not copy a fixed list slot for slot, because the meta shifts with every patch. Use this as a direction, not a rulebook.
| Category | What it gives Abrams | When to lean in |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | More damage and sustain on your shots, faster lane clear | Early, to win trades and farm |
| Vitality | Health, resistances, extra healing to stay in the fight | Core, throughout the game |
| Spirit | Cooldown, ability power, useful actives like slows or cleanse | Mid to late, for utility |
- Open with cheap Weapon and Vitality items so you are hard to push out of lane.
- Build resistances that answer what is actually hurting you that game, bullet or spirit.
- Grab a healing-reduction counter if the enemy team stacks sustain or anti-heal.
- Save a Spirit utility slot for an escape or an active that helps you stick to targets.
Practical Tips
Small habits make Abrams feel much stronger than his simple kit suggests. Lead with your dash to reach a target, not to escape, because you usually want to be the one chasing. Keep shooting even at minions when you are low, since your passive heals you while you fire. Hold your ultimate for a target that cannot easily peel for itself, and avoid throwing it into a wall of bodies where it gets blocked. Above all, check patch notes often: a single balance pass can change which items and which heroes counter you, so treat this guide as a starting frame and adjust from there.