Hero builds · Deadlock Stats

What to buy, in order

Echo Shard + Heroic Aura + Superior Duration style

1Early
Restorative Shot
~1:02
2Early
Mystic Shot
~4:49
3Early
Extra Spirit
~4:55
4Early
Extra Stamina
~5:26
5Early
Arcane Surge
~6:16
from Extra Stamina
6Early
Enchanter's Emblem
~8:41
7Mid
Improved Spirit
~9:54
from Extra Spirit
8Mid
Heroic Aura
~12:53
9Mid
Duration Extender
~13:11
Imbue: Borrowed Decree
10Mid
Compress Cooldown
~16:05
Imbue: Borrowed Decree
11Mid
Stamina Mastery
~17:38
from Extra Stamina
12Mid
Superior Duration
~18:06
from Duration Extender
13Late
Echo Shard
~22:22
Imbue: Grasping Hands
14Late
Superior Cooldown
~25:13
from Compress Cooldown
15Late
Transcendent Cooldown
~28:47
from Superior Cooldown
1630+
Refresher
~31:28

Times are when players on this build typically bought each item (observed guidance, not deadlines). Dashed steps are late continuations: this style's most-bought late items, added so the build runs to the late game. Stage details below show how many of this group bought each item, optional items and situational swaps.

By stage

“Bought” percentages say how many players in this group bought the item; they are not win rates. Swaps are our advice from each item's current game text, not measured matchup results.

1Early
0–9 min
1. 1
  Restorative Shot
  94% bought · ~1:02 · most 0–2 min
2. 2
  Mystic Shot
  58% bought · ~4:49 · most 4–7 min
3. 3

Skill order

The most common choice at each point among these 315 players. The first four points match 185 of them; 53 used this exact full order.

Graves skill order: unlocks and upgrades in order, one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead	Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 1	Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 2													Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 15

Final inventory target

About this recommendation

Sample: Graves, normal mode, ranked matches with average rank Phantom or higher, from Oct 5, 2026 (Oct 5, 2026 update) to Oct 8, 2026, never more than 14 days: 1,369 matches, 53.2% won. Unranked matches carry no badge, so a rank bracket means ranked matches only.
Playstyle: the most common trio of 3,200+ soul items by 30:00 was Echo Shard, Heroic Aura, Superior Duration. 315 matches built all three (23% of the sample); 58.4% of them were won. That describes these players, not this exact build, which no one may have followed item for item.
Items: bought by at least 50% of the group; late items are counted among the 136 matches that reached 35:00. If that leaves fewer than 2 late items, the build continues with the group's most-bought late items (at least 30%). Order and times are the group's medians.
Inventory: checked after every purchase with game recipes, observed sales and the observed limits of 12 items and 4 active items.
Ranked Graves matches by rank in this window: Acolyte 1,732 · Mystic 1,175 · Seeker 2,296 · Sentinel 1,351 · Ritualist 1,020 · Phantom 911 · Emissary 911 · Ascendant 366 · Oracle 996 · Initiate 1,197 · Eternus 92.
Snapshot generated Oct 9, 2026 from the Deadlock API public data lake (data as of Oct 8, 2026).

Report a build problem

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Build problem report
Hero: Graves (76)
Build source: generated, Phantom+ ranked sample
Build version: 2026-10-09T10:33:02.091Z
Page: 
What's wrong:

Not claimed: that this is the best build, or that it wins more than alternatives. No win rate is computed for the assembled build.

Published guides that Graves players started matches with in this period, most used first, with copies and near-identical guides removed. Usage comes from the API's analysed matches and counts the guide selected at match start; it doesn't show whether players followed it. Game mode can't be filtered for this data.

Graves - Tank-Initiator [63% WR] [tracklock.gg]

by TracklockVersion 1254Guide updated Oct 9, 2026Guide #430181Author's tags: Vitality, Mobility

Matches started with it: 175
Won: 54.3%
Players: 167
In-game favourites: 28,046 (not match usage)

Items, as published

1Core Build
Author's category · Buy in order from left to right
1. 1
  Restorative Shot
  Pick Rate: 85% WR: +1%
2. 2
  Monster Rounds
  Pick Rate: 14% WR: -4%
3. 3
  Extra Stamina
  Pick Rate: 89% WR: +0%
4. 4
  Arcane Surge
  Built from Extra Stamina
  Pick Rate: 57% WR: -1%
5. 5
  Enchanter's Emblem
  Pick Rate: 61% WR: -2%
6. 6
  Duration Extender
  Pick Rate: 49% WR: -3%
7. 7
  Compress Cooldown
  Pick Rate: 34% WR: -8%
8. 8
  Heroic Aura
  Pick Rate: 69% WR: +0%
9. 9
  Stamina Mastery
  Built from Extra Stamina
  Pick Rate: 53% WR: -2%
10. 10
  Superior Duration
  Built from Duration Extender
  Pick Rate: 55% WR: +0%
11. 11
  Echo Shard
  Pick Rate: 44% WR: +3%
12. 12
  Superior Cooldown
  Built from Compress Cooldown
  Pick Rate: 33% WR: -4%
13. 13
  Transcendent Cooldown
  Built from Superior Cooldown
  Pick Rate: 19% WR: -2%
14. 14
  Refresher
  Pick Rate: 17% WR: +4%
2Earlyoptional
Author's category · Situational early-game items, buy based on lane needs
1. 1
  Improved Spirit
  Pick Rate: 69% WR: -2%
2. 2
  Mystic Shot
  Pick Rate: 59% WR: +0%
3. 3
  Extra Spirit
  Pick Rate: 67% WR: +0%
4. 4
3Lateoptional
Author's category · Situational late-game items, buy based on team needs
1. 1
  Toxic Bullets
  vs healers Pick Rate: 51% WR: +5%
2. 2
  Spirit Burn
  Pick Rate: 18% WR: +5%
3. 3
  Boundless Spirit
  Built from Improved Spirit
  Pick Rate: 31% WR: +4%
4Defensivesoptional
Author's category · Increase your survivability
1. 1
  Spirit Shielding
  Built from Grit
  Pick Rate: 24% WR: +8%
2. 2
  Diviner's Kevlar
  Pick Rate: 13% WR: +0%
3. 3
  Counterspell
  vs casters Pick Rate: 10% WR: +9%
5Counter Picksoptional
Author's category · Situational picks against specific enemies or builds
1. 1
  Healbane
  vs healers Pick Rate: 16% WR: -2%
2. 2
  Toxic Bullets
  vs healers Pick Rate: 51% WR: +5%
3. 3
  Tankbuster
  vs tanks Pick Rate: 17% WR: +2%
4. 4
6Activesoptional
Author's category · You can buy up to four active items for extra utility if you have the space
1. 1
  Grit
  Pick Rate: 29% WR: +5%
2. 2
  Magic Carpet
  Pick Rate: 5% WR: +4%
3. 3
  Split Shot
  Pick Rate: 16% WR: +6%
4. 4

Skill order

Published by the guide's author (not measured from matches).

Skill order published in Graves - Tank-Initiator [63% WR] [tracklock.gg], one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead	Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 1	Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 2													Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 15

Among the 12 most-used guides with at least 10 analysed matches: 1 copy and 1 near-identical guide hidden, 5 beyond the top 5. “Core items” counts items in the author's non-optional categories.

Skill order

Published by the guide's author (not measured from matches).

Skill order published in Hudini's spooky scary skeletons, one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead	Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 1												Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 13		Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 15	Jar of Dead: 5 AP upgrade, step 16
Grasping HandsGrasping Hands		Grasping Hands: Ability unlocked, step 2	Grasping Hands: 1 AP upgrade, step 3			Grasping Hands: 2 AP upgrade, step 6			Grasping Hands: 5 AP upgrade, step 9
Essence TheftEssence Theft				Essence Theft: Ability unlocked, step 4						Essence Theft: 1 AP upgrade, step 10		Essence Theft: 2 AP upgrade, step 12		Essence Theft: 5 AP upgrade, step 14
Borrowed DecreeBorrowed Decree					Borrowed Decree: Ability unlocked, step 5		Borrowed Decree: 1 AP upgrade, step 7	Borrowed Decree: 2 AP upgrade, step 8			Borrowed Decree: 5 AP upgrade, step 11

Unlock1 / 2 / 5 AP upgrade costOrder only; no timings

Skill order

Published by the guide's author (not measured from matches).

Skill order published in Chemical Burns (Dr. Spooki von Spookenstein), one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead				Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 4	Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 5							Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 12	Jar of Dead: 5 AP upgrade, step 13
Grasping HandsGrasping Hands		Grasping Hands: Ability unlocked, step 2	Grasping Hands: 1 AP upgrade, step 3			Grasping Hands: 2 AP upgrade, step 6				Grasping Hands: 5 AP upgrade, step 10
Essence TheftEssence Theft	Essence Theft: Ability unlocked, step 1													Essence Theft: 1 AP upgrade, step 14	Essence Theft: 2 AP upgrade, step 15	Essence Theft: 5 AP upgrade, step 16
Borrowed DecreeBorrowed Decree							Borrowed Decree: Ability unlocked, step 7	Borrowed Decree: 1 AP upgrade, step 8	Borrowed Decree: 2 AP upgrade, step 9		Borrowed Decree: 5 AP upgrade, step 11

Unlock1 / 2 / 5 AP upgrade costOrder only; no timings

Not shown: 16 entries after the order starts again.

Skill order

Published by the guide's author (not measured from matches).

Skill order published in YT Farmingbip Tesla rush 1v9 carry build, one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead	Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 1	Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 2													Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 15	Jar of Dead: 5 AP upgrade, step 16
Grasping HandsGrasping Hands			Grasping Hands: Ability unlocked, step 3						Grasping Hands: 1 AP upgrade, step 9	Grasping Hands: 2 AP upgrade, step 10	Grasping Hands: 5 AP upgrade, step 11
Essence TheftEssence Theft				Essence Theft: Ability unlocked, step 4		Essence Theft: 1 AP upgrade, step 6	Essence Theft: 2 AP upgrade, step 7	Essence Theft: 5 AP upgrade, step 8
Borrowed DecreeBorrowed Decree					Borrowed Decree: Ability unlocked, step 5							Borrowed Decree: 1 AP upgrade, step 12	Borrowed Decree: 2 AP upgrade, step 13	Borrowed Decree: 5 AP upgrade, step 14

Unlock1 / 2 / 5 AP upgrade costOrder only; no timings

Not shown: 3 entries for other heroes' abilities.

Skill order

Published by the guide's author (not measured from matches).

Skill order published in Juhwooce's PVZ Map Maker Graves (NEVER SLEEP), one row per ability in slot order
Jar of DeadJar of Dead	Jar of Dead: Ability unlocked, step 1	Jar of Dead: 1 AP upgrade, step 2													Jar of Dead: 2 AP upgrade, step 15	Jar of Dead: 5 AP upgrade, step 16
Grasping HandsGrasping Hands			Grasping Hands: Ability unlocked, step 3	Grasping Hands: 1 AP upgrade, step 4	Grasping Hands: 2 AP upgrade, step 5				Grasping Hands: 5 AP upgrade, step 9
Essence TheftEssence Theft						Essence Theft: Ability unlocked, step 6					Essence Theft: 1 AP upgrade, step 11		Essence Theft: 2 AP upgrade, step 13	Essence Theft: 5 AP upgrade, step 14
Borrowed DecreeBorrowed Decree							Borrowed Decree: Ability unlocked, step 7	Borrowed Decree: 1 AP upgrade, step 8		Borrowed Decree: 2 AP upgrade, step 10		Borrowed Decree: 5 AP upgrade, step 12

Unlock1 / 2 / 5 AP upgrade costOrder only; no timings

Graves - Tank-Initiator [63% WR] [tracklock.gg]

Items, as published

Skill order

Hudini's spooky scary skeletons

Items, as published

Chemical Burns (Dr. Spooki von Spookenstein)

Items, as published

YT Farmingbip Tesla rush 1v9 carry build

Items, as published

Juhwooce's PVZ Map Maker Graves (NEVER SLEEP)

Items, as published

Graves builds

What to buy, in order

By stage

Skill order

Final inventory target

Upgrades and replacements

Graves - Tank-Initiator [63% WR] [tracklock.gg]

Items, as published

Skill order

Hudini's spooky scary skeletons

Items, as published

Chemical Burns (Dr. Spooki von Spookenstein)

Items, as published

YT Farmingbip Tesla rush 1v9 carry build

Items, as published

Juhwooce's PVZ Map Maker Graves (NEVER SLEEP)

Items, as published

Skill order

Skill order

Skill order

Skill order