Mastering Pocket’s devastating abilities and optimal item builds for dominating Deadlock matches
Understanding Pocket’s Complex Playstyle
Pocket stands among Deadlock’s most powerful heroes currently, though their steep learning curve demands significant mechanical skill. Mastering this character requires understanding their unique hybrid playstyle that blends ranged poke with close-quarters dominance.
While Deadlock presents substantial barriers to entry for newcomers, Pocket represents one of the most challenging yet rewarding characters to master when utilizing optimized builds. Their kit enables incredible impact in skilled hands despite the initial complexity.
Valve’s innovative third-person MOBA shooter continues gaining momentum during its early access phase, blending hero shooter elements with deep MOBA mechanics that favor strategic thinking over pure reflexes.
From mastering mid-game Rejuvenator control to perfecting last-hit timing on minions or understanding Soul mechanics, numerous systems require dedicated learning. Pocket’s kit introduces additional layers of complexity that separate novice from expert players.
Hero selection represents another strategic dimension, and Pocket currently ranks among the top competitive choices. Before deploying this versatile hero, understanding optimal itemization and ability progression sequences proves crucial for success.
Pocket’s Ability Breakdown and Upgrade Path
Here is a comprehensive analysis of Pocket’s versatile ability kit:
- Channel to unleash multiple projectiles dealing damage and applying movement slow around impact zones. Each successful hero hit grants stacking damage amplification. Casting while airborne maintains horizontal momentum while floating.
- Level 1: +15 damage per projectile
- Level 2: -15 second cooldown
- Level 3: +5% amp per stack
- Deploy a sentient cloak that travels forward damaging enemies. Reactivate to teleport to its current position, creating engage/disengage opportunities.
- Level 1: -15 second cooldown
- Level 2: +80 damage
- Level 3: +7 weapon damage for 10 seconds after teleporting
- Retreat into your suitcase becoming temporarily invulnerable. Upon ending, deal area damage to nearby enemies. Can manually cancel duration by performing actions.
- Level 1: -5 second cooldown
- Level 2: +80 damage
- Level 3: Applies 40% fire rate slow for 4 seconds
- Apply damage-over-time to all nearby enemies. This ultimate deals non-lethal damage and doesn’t trigger item effects, making it ideal for softening targets.
- Level 1: -30 second cooldown
- Level 2: Suppress targets’ healing by -60%
- Level 3: +27 DPS
Optimal Ability Leveling Sequence
Below you’ll find the recommended ability selection order and maxing priorities:
We strongly recommend beginning with Barrage (Ability 1) as your primary poke and damage tool during laning phase. Flying Cloak (Ability 2) should follow as your secondary for creating escape routes or initiating engagements.
Alternatively, consider unlocking Enchanter’s Satchel (Ability 3) second when facing heroes with gap-closing capabilities. For maxing order, prioritize Affliction (Ability 4) once you’ve secured cooldown reductions on Pocket’s basic abilities.
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During ability leveling, reducing Flying Cloak’s cooldown makes an excellent first upgrade, followed by investing two points into Barrage for both cooldown reduction and damage enhancement.
Naturally, these choices remain situational—you might need early upgrades to Enchanter’s Satchel or Flying Cloak when facing aggressive opponents. However, this progression provides a solid foundation for most matchups.
Comprehensive Item Build Strategy
We’ve categorized items into four strategic groups: early-game foundations, mid-game transitions, late-game power spikes, and situational adaptations.
The first three categories follow straightforward progression, though you can purchase late-game items earlier when snowballing or with available Flex slots.
Remember these represent guidelines rather than rigid rules—optimal Pocket builds adapt based on numerous match-specific factors including enemy composition and game state.
For beginners, this build framework provides reliable direction while learning Pocket’s mechanics and play patterns.
As a close-quarters specialist, Close Quarters serves as the ideal early-game foundation. Given Pocket’s substantial ability damage, Mystic Burst provides valuable supplemental damage. Headshot Booster offers strong early damage potential, though you can substitute High-Velocity Mag based on preference.
Building Extra Regen and Healing Rite proves wise given the high risk of dangerous situations when fighting at close range.
Additionally, if laning proves challenging, Monster Rounds and Ammo Scavenger facilitate better farming. Sprint Boots enable early lane rotations when ahead, while Extra Stamina assists during difficult lanes or against early Silence purchases.
Transitioning to mid-game, building Point Blank from Close Quarters optimally shreds enemies and forces close-range engagements. Active Reload provides excellent value through additional lifesteal and reload acceleration.
Combat Barrier and Enchanter’s Barrier deliver extra protection against bullet and spirit damage while enhancing your offensive capabilities—crucial for aggressive Pocket play. Prioritize shields over resistances for these items.
Improved Burst makes an excellent first spirit item, building from Mystic Burst while adding spirit damage. Bullet Resist Shredder and Mystic Vulnerability provide sustainability against spirit damage threats.
Kinetic Dash and Warp Stone expand engagement and disengagement options through enhanced mobility. Ethereal Shift provides additional invulnerability frames while maintaining reload functionality.
Phantom Strike offers alternative engagement tools, preserving Flying Cloak or Warp Stone for escape maneuvers. Soul Rebirth provides insurance upon death, while Spiritual Overflow addresses damage deficiencies.
Superior Cooldown proves immensely valuable, particularly on abilities 2 or 3—choose 2 for aggression or 3 against dive compositions. Superior Duration enhances Barrage and Affliction effects for increased damage output. Escalating Exposure amplifies spirit damage potential.
Boundless Spirit and Diviner’s Kevlar address survivability issues when feeling too vulnerable. Note that Diviner’s Kevlar requires activating your ultimate for full effect.
These situational items serve specific purposes rather than being mandatory purchases, so we’ll detail their applications:
Advanced Playstyle Optimization
That covers Pocket’s core build strategy for Deadlock! For hero comparisons, explore our tier list and specialized builds for Warden, Lady Geist, Shiv, and Ivy.
Mastering Pocket requires understanding several advanced techniques beyond basic builds. The teleport-floating Barrage combo represents Pocket’s highest skill expression—using Flying Cloak for positioning followed by airborne Barrage to maintain momentum while dealing massive damage.
Common mistakes include overextending with Flying Cloak without escape options, mismanaging Enchanter’s Satchel timing, and failing to stack Barrage amplification before committing to all-in engagements. Always maintain awareness of your stacking damage buffs before going aggressive.
Positioning proves critical—Pocket thrives at medium-close range where Barrage projectiles connect consistently while allowing quick disengagement. Use terrain to limit enemy approach angles and maximize your area denial capabilities.
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