Deadlock Shiv Guide: Bleed Assassin Build & Execute (2026)
Deadlock Shiv Guide: Bleed Assassin Build & Execute (2026)
Last updated: June 3, 2026
Shiv is the bleed-stacking assassin who tanks damage now and pays it back later, snowballing off executes once the enemy drops low. He's a fan-favourite who's scary in skilled hands — even if his solo-queue win rate doesn't always show it. This guide covers his current kit with the data deadlock.io build tools draw from.
Deadlock.ioQuick answer: Shiv is a bleed assassin: stack the Serrated Knives bleed, tank trades by deferring damage with Bloodletting, dash with Slice and Dice, and chain kills with the Killing Blow execute. Max Serrated Knives.
His abilities
| Ability | What it does |
|---|---|
 Serrated Knives | Throw knives that stack and refresh a bleed DoT. His primary damage; ricochet at full Rage. |
 Slice and Dice | A dash dealing damage and shredding spirit resist. Mobility and repositioning. |
 Bloodletting | Take most incoming damage over time instead of instantly; activate to clear it. His survival tool. |
 Killing Blow (ult) | Leap and execute a low-HP target — and it resets on a successful execute for kill chains. |
Build & leveling
- Early:
Extra Regen, 
Mystic Shot, 
Cold Front, 
Healing Booster - Core:
Decay (his best item — bleeds fuels Rage), 
Torment Pulse, 
Compress Cooldown - Late:
Superior Cooldown, 
Ethereal Shift, 
Mystic Reverb
Ability order: max Serrated Knives first, keep Bloodletting leveled for survival; take Killing Blow at breakpoints.
⚠ Reality check: Shiv has a low solo-queue win rate (~46%) despite being strong in coordinated play. Always fight at full Rage, pop Bloodletting before deferred damage bursts you, and only Killing Blow genuinely low targets.