Paradox
Paradox is a Marksman hero in Deadlock, with a Complexity of 3 in the game files. The game sums up the role as "Manipulates Space and Time." Paradox has 730 base health and 1 health regen. Paradox's gun fires 6.8 damage per bullet from a 40-round clip. Each level adds 46 health and 0.26 bullet damage.
Open the most-bought Paradox build
The 4 items bought most in each phase of 106,748 Paradox matches, October 30 to November 1, 2026, measured by deadlock-api.com.
How Paradox plays
Manipulating time lets Paradox outpace an enemy in one on one combat. She thrives by subjecting her enemies to timely swaps into a waiting pulse grenade, her wall, or into the middle of her teammates.
Paradox counters
Paradox's toughest matchups, the furthest below what both heroes' overall win rates predict, are Lady Geist (43.9% over 11,971 matches, 1.2 points below expected), Rem (50.1% over 16,626 matches, 0.8 points below expected) and Apollo (47.2% over 15,480 matches, 0.6 points below expected), and its best, the furthest above, are Vindicta (48.5% over 16,789 matches, 1.5 points above expected), Holliday (50.4% over 12,721 matches, 1.3 points above expected) and Grey Talon (49.8% over 11,662 matches, 0.7 points above expected), in all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, measured by deadlock-api.com.
Measured from matches at all ranks from October 30 to November 1, 2026, starting on the day patch 6833 was released (October 30, 2026), by deadlock-api.com. These are match results, not numbers from the game files. A pairing shows its win rate only with at least 500 matches. Expected is what both heroes' overall win rates predict (computed), and each list is ordered by the gap between it and the win rate, not by the rate alone: how the order is computed. Across all its matches in the same window, Paradox won 46.7% over 106,748 matches.
Toughest matchups
| Enemy | Paradox win rate | Expectedcomputed | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
 Lady GeistMatchup lab | 43.9% | 45.1%1.2 below | 11,971 |
 RemMatchup lab | 50.1% | 50.9%0.8 below | 16,626 |
 ApolloMatchup lab | 47.2% | 47.9%0.6 below | 15,480 |
 DrifterMatchup lab | 44.7% | 45.3%0.6 below | 22,129 |
 YamatoMatchup lab | 49.2% | 49.8%0.6 below | 14,572 |
Best matchups
| Enemy | Paradox win rate | Expectedcomputed | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
 VindictaMatchup lab | 48.5% | 47.0%1.5 above | 16,789 |
 HollidayMatchup lab | 50.4% | 49.1%1.3 above | 12,721 |
 Grey TalonMatchup lab | 49.8% | 49.1%0.7 above | 11,662 |
 BabaMatchup lab | 42.4% | 41.7%0.7 above | 6,982 |
 MirageMatchup lab | 53.8% | 53.2%0.6 above | 7,348 |
Match data: deadlock-api.com. deadlock-api.com is not endorsed by Valve and does not reflect the views or opinions of Valve or anyone officially involved in producing or managing Valve properties. How a rate is computed: methodology.
Most-bought Paradox build
On Paradox, players bought Tankbuster in 78.6% of matches (83,915 of 106,748), High-Velocity Rounds in 76.0% of matches (81,079 of 106,748) and Express Shot in 74.9% of matches (79,984 of 106,748), in all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, measured by deadlock-api.com.
Laning, bought before 10:00
| Item | Bought by | Win rate when bought | Average buy time |
|---|---|---|---|
 High-Velocity RoundsIn the shop | 69.4%74,091 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 46.9%74,091 matches | 3:26 |
 Restorative ShotIn the shop | 48.9%52,180 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 46.1%52,180 matches | 2:12 |
 Long RangeIn the shop | 46.8%49,960 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 47.8%49,960 matches | 6:56 |
 Headshot BoosterIn the shop | 42.4%45,312 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 46.2%45,312 matches | 3:09 |
 Opening RoundsIn the shop | 41.8%44,603 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 47.3%44,603 matches | 5:22 |
 Mystic BurstIn the shop | 38.7%41,341 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 47.4%41,341 matches | 6:08 |
Mid game, bought 10:00 to 19:59
| Item | Bought by | Win rate when bought | Average buy time |
|---|---|---|---|
 TankbusterIn the shop | 44.1%47,090 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 48.6%47,090 matches | 15:44 |
 Express ShotIn the shop | 39.4%42,083 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 49.5%42,083 matches | 16:23 |
 SharpshooterIn the shop | 33.0%35,271 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 45.5%35,271 matches | 13:27 |
 Compress CooldownIn the shop | 30.9%33,014 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 48.8%33,014 matches | 16:20 |
 Extra StaminaIn the shop | 28.2%30,149 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 47.2%30,149 matches | 13:56 |
| Mystic BurstIn the shop | 25.2%26,931 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 46.5%26,931 matches | 14:19 |
Late game, bought at 20:00 or later
| Item | Bought by | Win rate when bought | Average buy time |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mystic ReverbIn the shop | 58.5%62,460 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 51.9%62,460 matches | 29:14 |
 Superior CooldownIn the shop | 49.5%52,810 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 48.7%52,810 matches | 29:14 |
 Hollow PointIn the shop | 43.8%46,713 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 47.8%46,713 matches | 26:11 |
 Spirit BurnIn the shop | 38.9%41,482 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 55.0%41,482 matches | 34:07 |
| Compress CooldownIn the shop | 37.1%39,622 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 46.8%39,622 matches | 24:56 |
| Express ShotIn the shop | 34.5%36,828 of 106,748 Paradox matches | 45.1%36,828 matches | 23:54 |
Measured from matches at all ranks from October 30 to November 1, 2026, starting on the day patch 6833 was released (October 30, 2026), by deadlock-api.com. These are match results, not numbers from the game files, and the most bought items, not a recommended build. Each table counts the items bought in one part of a match, by the game time of the purchase: laning before 10:00, mid game 10:00 to 19:59 and late game at 20:00 or later. "Bought by" is the share of all Paradox matches in which the Paradox player bought the item in that phase, counting matches that ended before it began. The win rate is how often those players won, which describes the players who bought it, not what the item itself adds. The average buy time is the average game time of those purchases, also measured by deadlock-api.com. A copy the Broker corrupted is not counted. An item shows only with at least 500 matches.
Match data: deadlock-api.com. deadlock-api.com is not endorsed by Valve and does not reflect the views or opinions of Valve or anyone officially involved in producing or managing Valve properties. How a rate is computed: methodology.
Paradox ability order
On Paradox, players unlocked Pulse Grenade, Kinetic Carbine, Time Wall, then Paradoxical Swap in 65.4% of matches (70,223 of 107,293), and Kinetic Carbine, Pulse Grenade, Time Wall, then Paradoxical Swap in 26.6% of matches (28,576 of 107,293), in all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, measured by deadlock-api.com.
| Unlock order | Matches |
|---|---|
| 65.4%70,223 of 107,293 | |
| 26.6%28,576 of 107,293 |
Measured from matches at all ranks from October 30 to November 1, 2026, starting on the day patch 6833 was released (October 30, 2026), by deadlock-api.com. These are match results, not numbers from the game files, and the most common orders, not a recommendation. An unlock order is the order of each ability's first point; the share is the Paradox matches that used it out of every Paradox match counted, including players who spent no point. An order shows only with at least 500 matches.
Match data: deadlock-api.com. deadlock-api.com is not endorsed by Valve and does not reflect the views or opinions of Valve or anyone officially involved in producing or managing Valve properties. How a share is computed: methodology.
Paradox lore
Paradox. An artifact of time, and the name of a notorious thieves' guild... one that prides themselves on constructing elaborate heists that target the most untouchable of individuals and institutions. What does Paradox do with the countless artifacts, state secrets, and celebrity paternity tests that they have stolen? Put it on display at pop-up museums, so that they can show the world that no one is out of Paradox's reach.
Shrouded in mystery, each member of Paradox dons a mask and takes on the organization's name. They are everywhere. They are nowhere. And if they want something, they are inevitable.
Paradox stats
Paradox abilities
| Slot | Ability | Damage | Cooldown | Scaling | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ability 1 |  Pulse Grenade | 35Pulse Damage | 32s | +0.3 x SpiritPulse Damage | Throw a grenade that begins pulsing when it lands. Each pulse expands the radius and applies spirit damage, time slow, and stacking increased damage for Paradox against the victim. |
| Ability 2 |  Time Wall | 25s | Create a time warping wall that stops time for all enemy projectiles and bullets that touch it and increases the speed and damage of friendly bullets. Enemies that touch the wall will be briefly slowed. | ||
| Ability 3 |  Kinetic Carbine | 5Max Damage | 28s | +0.13 x Spirit (% points)Bonus Speed | Charge up a powerful shot of time energy, dealing spirit damage and applying a Time-Stop to enemies hit. The damage dealt increases with weapon damage. Move speed is increased while charging. While in the air and charging, Zoom / alt-fire to timeslow your movement. |
| Ultimate |  Paradoxical Swap | 150Swap Damage | 95s | +1.1 x SpiritSwap Damage | Fire a projectile that swaps your position with the target enemy hero. |
Hero
- Type
- Marksman
- Complexity
- 3
- Tags
- Calculated, Disruptor, Tactician
Starting stats
- Max Health
- 730
- Health Regen
- 1
- Move Speed
- 6.7
- Sprint Speed
- 1.6m
- Stamina
- 3
- Stamina regen per second
- 0.222222
- Light Melee
- 50
- Heavy Melee
- 116
- Ground dash distance
- 10m
- Air dash distance
- 8m
Gun
- Bullet Damage
- 6.8
- Bullets per shot
- 1
- Cycle time
- 0.294s
- Rounds per second
- Not modelled
- Weapon DPS
- Not modelled
- Clip size
- 40
- Shots per burst
- 5
- Time between burst shots
- 0.0735s
- Reload Time
- 2.585s
- Bullet Velocity
- 20669.3 units/s
- Falloff start range
- 787 units
- Falloff end range
- 2264 units
- Damage scale at falloff end
- 0.1
Rounds per second and weapon DPS are not modelled: this gun fires in bursts of 5, and how the game times a burst is not confirmed in game. Reload and falloff are not modelled either. Ranges and bullet speed are in the game file's own units.
Paradox vs every hero
Body shots Paradox needs to kill each other hero, and each hero needs to kill Paradox, both at level 1 with no items. Each number opens that matchup in the lab.
| Hero | Paradox kills themcomputed | They kill Paradoxcomputed |
|---|---|---|
| Abrams | 118 | 22 |
| Apollo | 114 | 40 |
| Baba | 115 | 28 |
| Bebop | 130 | 147 |
| Billy | 121 | 116 |
| Calico | 108 | 45 |
| Celeste | 102 | 41 |
| Deadman Danny | 108 | 49 |
| Drifter | 112 | 13 |
| Dynamo | 130 | 58 |
| Graves | 108 | 203 |
| Grey Talon | 115 | 32 |
| Haze | 108 | 139 |
| Holliday | 115 | 38 |
| Infernus | 123 | 133 |
| Ivy | 112 | 165 |
| Kelvin | 130 | 40 |
| Lady Geist | 130 | 36 |
| Lash | 115 | 87 |
| McGinnis | 115 | 121 |
| Mina | 98 | 100 |
| Mirage | 108 | 50 |
| Mo & Krill | 137 | 65 |
| Nurse Harrow | 108 | 51 |
| Paige | 100 | 23 |
| 115 | 25 | |
| Rat King | 118 | 63 |
| Rem | 100 | 46 |
| Seven | 108 | 68 |
| Shiv | 123 | 26 |
| Silver | 123 | 21 |
| Sinclair | 108 | 45 |
| Solomon | 115 | 30 |
| The Doorman | 112 | 31 |
| Venator | 121 | 92 |
| Victor | 118 | 61 |
| Vindicta | 112 | 60 |
| Violet | 105 | 25 |
| Viscous | 115 | 71 |
| Vyper | 115 | 111 |
| Warden | 119 | 43 |
| Wraith | 108 | 130 |
| Yamato | 108 | 28 |
Computed with the matchup lab's formula, body shots with every pellet hitting, level 1, no items: damage per bullet = bullet damage x (1 - defender bullet resist / 100); bullets to kill = ceil(defender max health / damage per bullet); body shots = ceil(bullets to kill / bullets per shot). Each number's tooltip holds its inputs.
Not modelled:
- Headshots: the gun files give a 1.65 bonus, a game setting gives 1.25, and only the game shows which applies.
- Damage falloff over range, and the game-unit to meter conversion.
- Resist shred and negative resist.
- Reload, burst-fire and spin-up timing, so time to kill is shown only when the kill fits in one clip of a gun that neither bursts nor spins up.
- Item procs and actives, spirit damage amplifiers, and ability upgrades (every ability is at its base tier).
- Health regen, barriers and healing during the fight.
Gains per level
- Bullet damage per level
- 0.26
- Health per level
- 46
- Melee damage per level
- 1.58
- Boons per level
- 1
- Spirit power per level
- 1.1
Souls and investment
Same soul curve as every hero: Paradox reaches level 36 at 48,600 souls. See souls per level and investment bonuses.
Paradox change history
| Patch | Change | State |
|---|---|---|
| November 5, 2026build 6860from build 6742 | No player-facing change in 37 builds (October 2 to November 5, 2026). | Unchanged |
| October 1, 2026build 6731 | Paradox's shop stat panel now lists Lifesteal Effectiveness under Vitality. | Changed |
| September 30, 2026build 6726from build 6642 | No player-facing change in 17 builds (July 28 to September 30, 2026). | Unchanged |
| July 25, 2026build 6640 | First recorded in Deadlock. | Baseline |
Paradox FAQ
Who is Paradox in Deadlock?
Paradox is a Marksman hero in Deadlock, with a Complexity of 3 in the game files. Paradox. An artifact of time, and the name of a notorious thieves' guild... one that prides themselves on constructing elaborate heists that target the most untouchable of individuals and institutions. What does Paradox do with the countless artifacts, state secrets, and celebrity paternity tests that they have stolen? Put it on display at pop-up museums, so that they can show the world that no one is out of Paradox's reach.
How do you play Paradox in Deadlock?
Manipulating time lets Paradox outpace an enemy in one on one combat. She thrives by subjecting her enemies to timely swaps into a waiting pulse grenade, her wall, or into the middle of her teammates.
Who counters Paradox in Deadlock?
In all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, Paradox did furthest below what both heroes' overall win rates predict against Lady Geist (43.9% over 11,971 matches, 1.2 points below expected), Rem (50.1% over 16,626 matches, 0.8 points below expected), Apollo (47.2% over 15,480 matches, 0.6 points below expected), Drifter (44.7% over 22,129 matches, 0.6 points below expected) and Yamato (49.2% over 14,572 matches, 0.6 points below expected). These are match results measured by deadlock-api.com, not numbers from the game files.
What items do players buy most on Paradox in Deadlock?
In all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, Paradox players bought Tankbuster in 78.6% of matches (83,915 of 106,748), High-Velocity Rounds in 76.0% of matches (81,079 of 106,748) and Express Shot in 74.9% of matches (79,984 of 106,748). These are match results measured by deadlock-api.com, not numbers from the game files, and the most bought items are not a recommended build.
What are Paradox's abilities in Deadlock?
Paradox has four abilities. Pulse Grenade (first ability, 32 second cooldown): Throw a grenade that begins pulsing when it lands. Each pulse expands the radius and applies spirit damage, time slow, and stacking increased damage for Paradox against the victim. Time Wall (second ability, 25 second cooldown): Create a time warping wall that stops time for all enemy projectiles and bullets that touch it and increases the speed and damage of friendly bullets. Enemies that touch the wall will be briefly slowed. Kinetic Carbine (third ability, 28 second cooldown): Charge up a powerful shot of time energy, dealing spirit damage and applying a Time-Stop to enemies hit. The damage dealt increases with weapon damage. Move speed is increased while charging. While in the air and charging, Zoom / alt-fire to timeslow your movement. Paradoxical Swap (ultimate, 95 second cooldown): Fire a projectile that swaps your position with the target enemy hero.
What do Paradox's abilities scale with?
Three of Paradox's four abilities scale with Spirit in the game files: Pulse Grenade (35 Pulse Damage, +0.3 x Spirit), Kinetic Carbine (25% Bonus Speed, +0.13 x Spirit in percentage points) and Paradoxical Swap (150 Swap Damage, +1.1 x Spirit). Time Wall has no damage scaling in the files.
What order do players unlock Paradox's abilities in Deadlock?
In all-rank matches from October 30 to November 1, 2026, from patch 6833's release day, Paradox players unlocked Pulse Grenade, Kinetic Carbine, Time Wall, then Paradoxical Swap in 65.4% of matches (70,223 of 107,293), and Kinetic Carbine, Pulse Grenade, Time Wall, then Paradoxical Swap in 26.6% of matches (28,576 of 107,293). These are match results measured by deadlock-api.com, not numbers from the game files, and the most common order is not a recommendation.
How much health does Paradox have in Deadlock?
Paradox starts with 730 max health and gains 46 health per level, before items.
How much damage does Paradox's gun do?
Paradox's gun fires 6.8 damage per bullet from a 40-round clip. It fires in bursts of 5, and how the game times a burst is not confirmed, so this site computes no damage per second for it.
How many souls does Paradox need to reach max level?
Paradox reaches level 36 at 48,600 souls (Boon 35 in the game's HUD).
Was Paradox changed in the latest patch?
No. Paradox is unchanged in the latest build of Deadlock on file (the November 5, 2026 patch, build 6860). It last changed in the October 1, 2026 patch.