Deadlock Kelvin Build Guide

In Deadlock, Kelvin stands out as a formidable tank and crowd control expert, capable of withstanding significant damage while freezing enemies in their tracks. The Kelvin build focuses on maximizing his defensive capabilities, while utilizing his ice-based skills to control the battlefield. With the right strategy, Kelvin can not only absorb damage but also immobilize enemies, setting them up for elimination. This Deadlock Kelvin build guide will provide insights on how to harness his full potential and become an unbreakable force on the battlefield.

The Kelvin build is designed to capitalize on his innate tanking abilities, while using his ice abilities to freeze and slow down enemies. Kelvin excels in frontline combat, protecting his team by absorbing damage and disrupting enemy formations with his powerful ice spells. His role in the team is to soak up damage, control the pace of battle, and keep enemies at bay with consistent crowd control.

a. Strengths

• Very strong duelist thanks to Arctic Beam.
• Difficult to heal as self-healing and mobility helps a lot with keeping Kelvin out of trouble.
• Very good mobility, especially vertically when using Ice Path.

b. Weaknesses

• Can get poked from afar to the point he cannot react, having a very difficult time dealing with heroes like Vindicta.
• Very reliant on Arctic Beam and low damage when Arctic Beam is on cooldown.
• High Skill Ceiling.

1. Primary Weapon: Frostclad Shield Kelvin’s Frostclad Shield is key to his defensive playstyle, providing both protection and the ability to freeze nearby enemies. The shield allows Kelvin to mitigate incoming damage while punishing any enemies who dare to approach him.

Attachments:

• Chill Aura: Enemies close to Kelvin suffer a freezing effect, gradually slowing them and eventually freezing them in place.
• Reinforced Ice Plating: Increases Kelvin's overall defense, reducing incoming damage and increasing his survivability.
• Frostbite Counter: When Kelvin blocks a certain amount of damage, the shield releases a blast of ice, damaging and slowing nearby enemies.

2. Secondary Weapon: Icebreaker Hammer Kelvin’s Icebreaker Hammer is perfect for close-combat situations, delivering powerful blows that not only deal significant damage but also have a chance to freeze enemies on hit.

Upgrades:

• Frozen Impact: Each hit from the Icebreaker Hammer has a chance to freeze enemies for a short duration, immobilizing them.
• Heavy Slam: Increases the hammer's base damage, allowing Kelvin to deal more damage with each swing.
• Shatterstrike: Frozen enemies take extra damage when struck by the hammer, making it ideal for finishing off immobilized foes.

3. Utility: Glacial Armor & Ice Wall Kelvin’s Glacial Armor gives him a temporary boost in defense, making him nearly indestructible for a limited time. This ability is perfect for engaging enemies or defending against large attacks. His Ice Wall ability allows Kelvin to create barriers of ice that block enemy movement and create chokepoints.

• Glacial Armor: Increases Kelvin's defense and grants him temporary immunity to status effects.
• Ice Wall: Summons an impassable wall of ice, blocking enemy movement and creating strategic opportunities for your team to engage or retreat.

1. Frontline Tanking Kelvin excels as a frontline tank, capable of absorbing huge amounts of damage while protecting his team. Always position yourself at the front, using your Frostclad Shield to block incoming attacks and slow down enemies. Kelvin’s job is to draw enemy fire and keep them away from more vulnerable teammates.

2. Crowd Control with Ice Abilities Kelvin’s crowd control abilities are a major strength in this build. Use your Icebreaker Hammer and Chill Aura to slow and freeze enemies, disrupting their movement and allowing your team to deal damage while they’re immobilized. This is especially useful during team fights, where controlling the battlefield can make the difference between victory and defeat.

3. Zone Control with Ice Wall Kelvin’s Ice Wall provides excellent zone control. Use this ability to block off narrow passages or to create chokepoints where enemies are forced to engage on your terms. You can also use Ice Wall defensively to prevent enemy escapes or protect objectives.

4. Timing Glacial Armor Knowing when to activate Glacial Armor is key to surviving and thriving as Kelvin. Use it when you’re about to take heavy damage or when you’re initiating a fight. This ability gives you a window of invulnerability, allowing you to dive deep into enemy lines or tank key damage without being taken down.

Kelvin pairs well with high-damage characters who can take advantage of his crowd control. His ability to freeze enemies and soak up damage creates the perfect environment for your damage dealers to safely output their damage without worrying about enemy retaliation. Kelvin also synergizes well with healers or support characters who can keep him alive longer, allowing him to stay in the fight and continue disrupting the enemy team.

1. Maximize Frostclad Shield Usage: Kelvin’s shield isn’t just for defense—use it to actively slow and freeze enemies that get too close. The key is to stay near the frontline and keep enemies within your Chill Aura range.

2. Positioning with Ice Wall: Ice Wall is both a defensive and offensive tool. Use it to block off escape routes for enemies or to prevent them from reaching your team’s backline.

3. Shatter Frozen Enemies: When you freeze enemies with your Icebreaker Hammer, follow up with powerful strikes. Frozen enemies take extra damage, so don’t waste the opportunity to deal heavy hits.

4. Engage with Glacial Armor: Always initiate fights when your Glacial Armor is ready. It will allow you to absorb damage and create space for your team to follow up.

5. Zone Control and Map Awareness: Kelvin excels in tight spaces. Control the chokepoints on the map and use your abilities to force enemies to fight in areas where you have the advantage.

Kelvin’s ice-themed tanking and crowd control abilities make him one of the most valuable frontliners in Deadlock. His ability to freeze, slow, and protect makes him a natural leader on the battlefield, and with the right build, he becomes nearly indestructible. This Kelvin build guide gives you everything you need to know about maximizing his potential, from weapon upgrades to team synergies. Whether you're soaking up damage or freezing enemies in place, this Kelvin build will make you an unbreakable force in Deadlock.