Drifter
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| Weapon: "Crimson Grasp" | |
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BASE STATS | |
| Weapon Stats | |
| Damage Per Second: |  44.2
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| Bullet Damage: |  19.5+0.616
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| Ammo: |  12
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| Bullets per sec: |  2.27
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| Reload Time: |  2.44s
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| Bullet Velocity: |  508m/s
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| Light Melee: |  51.5+1.58
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| Heavy Melee: | 120+3.68
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| Falloff Range: | 22m → 27m |
| Crit Bonus Scale: |  -45%
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| Vitality Stats | |
| Health: |  725+39
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| Health Regen: |  3.5
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| Move Speed: |  6.9m/s
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| Sprint Speed: | 1.6m/s
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| Dash Speed: |  0.68s
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| Stamina: | 3
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| Stamina Cooldown: |  4.5s
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| Spirit Stats | |
| Spirit Power: |  0+1.1
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| Information | |
| Voice Actor: | Matt Mercer (unconfirmed) |
| Release Date: | August 27, 2025 |
“Stalker - Bloodthirsty - Cruel
Drifter is a Hero in Deadlock. Something ancient has arrived in New York... a nameless horror known only as the Drifter. Relentless as time, as certain as death, once Drifter sets his eyes on a victim there's nothing they can do to stop him. They can try to run, but his Bloodscent drives him forward, leading him to isolated prey. Even if they manage to escape it doesn't matter, as Stalker's Mark allows Drifter to appear right behind his enemies before lunging in for the kill with a vicious Rend. Soon Eternal Night comes, and a faint whistling in the breeze will be joined by a chorus of screams.
Drifter was released on August 27, 2025 as the fourth winner of the Six Heroes update contest.
Abilities[edit | edit source]
Rend
18m
13s
Swipe at enemies in a cone ahead of you, dealing melee damage. If the enemy is at close range, deal 
bonus spirit damage.
melee damage. If the enemy is at close range, deal bonus spirit damage.
8m
Range for Bonus Damage
1+31.5 Bonus Damage
2-7s Cooldown
5Gain 45% Bullet Lifesteal against affected enemies for 4s
Stalker's Mark
6s
0
20s
Send out a mark that bleeds the first target it hits, dealing spirit damage over time.
While the enemy is bleeding you can re-activate Stalker's Mark to instantly appear behind their back.
spirit damage over time. While the enemy is bleeding you can re-activate Stalker's Mark to instantly appear behind their back.
1+1%/sec Bleed Damage
2+25% Fire Rate for 6s after ambushing
5Enable 2 Ability Charges
Notes
- Damage is based on target's current health, not their max health.
- Damage is divided up into is 0.5s intervals, starting immediately as the projectile connects.
- This works out to approximately the same overall damage per second stated in the tooltip, just dealt smoother
- Projectile will phase thru inactive guardians and walkers (no enemies nearby) but will properly latch onto active guardians and walkers (enemies nearby), allowing you to teleport to them.
- Stalker's Mark does not damage guardians or walkers.
- Stalker's Mark damage over time and teleport components are separate; activating the teleport does not end the bleed effect prematurely. The bleed will last the full duration either way.
- Stalker's Mark can be applied to the Rejuvenator, allowing Drifter to teleport to it.
Bloodscent
80m
Isolated heroes leave a trail as they move, and emit their heartbeat from afar.
You deal amplified damage against isolated heroes, and killing them grants you permanent weapon damage.
You deal amplified damage against isolated heroes, and killing them grants you permanent
weapon damage.
1+2m/s Move Speed when around an isolated enemy hero
2On isolated kill: reduces the cooldown of all your abilities by 15s and restores 3 stamina
5+10% Amplified Damage
Notes
- Getting an assist on an isolated enemy hero kill grants 40% of the normal on-kill rewards. This includes:
- +1.6% Permanent Weapon Damage.
- 6 seconds of cooldown reduction (if the Ability Point 2 upgrade is taken).
- 1.2 Stamina restored (if the Ability Point 2 upgrade is taken).
- All "On Kill" bonuses, including those from assists, only trigger if the target is considered Isolated at the moment of death.
Eternal Night
100m
7s
130s
Surround nearby enemy heroes in darkness, severely limiting their vision of other units. Affected enemies are briefly revealed.
You gain bonus sprint speed and your attacks proc spirit damage for the duration.
You gain
bonus sprint speed and your attacks proc spirit damage for the duration.
2
Max Targets
1+6.3 Spirit Damage Proc
2-30s Cooldown and +3m/s Sprint Speed.
5+2s Duration and +1 Max Targets.
Weapon[edit | edit source]
| Weapon Stats | 
44 Damage Per Second | |||
| Crimson Grasp | ||||
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Update history[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Update history
| Update | Changes |
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Background[edit | edit source]
“An ancient vampire roaming across America, the nameless monstrosity known as The Drifter has been preying on the living for generations.
Unlike most vampires, Drifter doesn’t value finery or titles and has naked contempt for vampiric laws and tradition. This refusal to toe the line has made him a marked man all over the North American Baronies; but while Viscounts and Elders cry for his execution, Drifter continues to do what he pleases...
Lore[edit | edit source]
Unlike the other heroes, Drifter isn't participating in the ritual for a wish, but instead for the carnage.[1][2]
The Drifter has lived for centuries.[3] His age is unknown, but he refers to New York as "New Amsterdam",[4] which implies he's been around at least since 1665.[5]
Drifter is not the Troubadour.[6][7] He has never met him before, and only knows him by reputation.[8]
Drifter speaks in a Cajun accent from Louisiana, indicating that he may be associated with 17th century Acadian French immigrants.[9]
Drifter has been hunted by the Baxter Society and the Venators of the Vatican.[10][11] The OSIC don't seem to be after Drifter.[12]
Drifter likes to steal his victim's coats.[13][14]
Character interactions[edit | edit source]
- Drifter and Oathkeeper are old friends.[15] Drifter can't believe
Lady Geist could lock away "someone as fun as Oathkeeper".[16][17] - Drifter thinks
Mina is a "pathetic excuse for a vampire."[18] - Drifter warns
Holliday to let go of her obsession with the Troubadour before the Troubadour finds out about her chasing him.[19] - Drifter and
Grey Talon have a long history with each other. Drifter refers to Grey Talon by his first name "Wesley".[20] While Grey Talon despises Drifter,[21][22] Drifter enjoyed the hunts and holds Talon in high regard.[23][24][25] Drifter enjoys tormenting Talon, seemingly by hurting his loved ones.[26][27] There was a particularly brutal interaction between the two in Oklahoma.[28] 
Vyper mentions that Drifter is a "legend" in Oklahoma.[29] - Drifter knew
Shiv before he joined the Baxter Society.[30] If he kills Shiv, he calls him a "disappointment" and mentions that killing him feels "Shakespearean".[31][32][33] He also mentions that, had Shiv not "put himself in a muzzle, he'd be worried".[34] When hunting Shiv, he refers to himself as an "old friend".[35] How Shiv and Drifter met each other is unknown. - Drifter doesn't enjoy killing
Bebop because he's a machine,[36] 
Sinclair because they're already dead,[37] and 
Victor because he's just putting him out of his misery.[38] - Drifter has high expectations for
Seven,[39][40] but thinks he still has too much humanity left in him.[41] 
The Doorman has met Drifter before.[42]
Paradox is annoyed that Drifter has nothing worth stealing.[43]- Characters that are scared of Drifter include Mina,[44] Vyper[45] and
Wraith.[46] - Drifter seems to have a fear of/weakness to fire, as he expresses relief when he doesn't have to fight against
Infernus.[47] - Drifter thinks
Mirage is handsome.[48]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Drifter portrait -
Drifter icon -
Drifter in-game render -
Drifter poster -
Drifter reference sheet -
Drifter name typography -
Drifter weapon - Crimson Grasp -
Previous Drifter portrait -
Unfinished Drifter model art
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Drifter was one of the heroes in a private build who was accidentally leaked on stream in May 2025.[49]
- Drifter leaves claw marks when sliding on a wall.
- Drifter's forward air dash and wall jump animation resembles the pounce animation of the Hunter, a recurring enemy in Valve's Left 4 Dead series.
- Drifter formerly possessed animations similar to the Hunter's in older builds of the game:
- Drifter's light melee animation before the August 29, 2025 update resembles one of The Hunter's possible claw attack animations.
- Drifter's sprinting animation following the August 29, 2025 update and prior to the September 4, 2025 update resembles The Hunter's running animation.
- "Prowling in the Hideout" is displayed as one's status in the in-game Friends List when playing as Drifter in the Hideout.
- Players under the effect of Drifter's "Eternal Night" ability are able to hear an eerily whistled rendition of Hush, Little Baby, a lullaby typically sung by mothers to their children.[50]
- During the 2025 winter event, one of three Christmas songs would be whistled instead; Joy to the World, Twelve Days of Christmas, and God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑
Patrons in-game voice line (Drifter Start): "Revel in the massacre, Drifter, it is my gift to you. All I ask in return is that you summon me."
- ↑
Drifter's in-game voice line (Select): "Fact of the matter is: I do this for free. The Patron's gift is just a bonus."
- ↑ The Doorman's in-game voice line (Drifter Trapped in ult): "It wont be long before you find yourself feeling something that’s eluded you for centuries: fear."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Select): "The elders of New Amsterdam are soft, clinging to archaic titles like they grant them real power."
- ↑ History of New Amsterdam
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Select): "The Troubadour ain’t got nothin’ on me."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Holliday): "Don't worry about the Troubadour, sheriff, worry about me."
- ↑ Drifter and Infernus Conversation 2
- ↑
Shopkeeper's in-game voice line - "You Louisiana boys know how to party."
- ↑ Drifter and Grey Talon Conversation 3 -
Drifter: "What are the boys and girls of the Baxter Society gonna say about us workin' together?"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Venator): "How many of your order do I gotta kill before you realize you can't stop me?"
- ↑ Drifter and Haze Conversation 1 - Drifter: "OSIC finally coming for me?"
- ↑ Drifter and Paradox Conversation 2
- ↑ Drifter and Abrams Conversation 1
- ↑ Drifter & Lady Geist Conversation 1
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Lady Geist): "I can't have you puttin' someone as fun as Oathkeeper under lock and key, Geist."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Lady Geist): "I can't believe someone like her trapped Oathkeeper."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Mina killed in lane): "They took out that pathetic excuse for a vampire!"
- ↑ Drifter and Holliday Conversation 1
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Bloodscent Hunting): "Wesley? It's time we finish this."
- ↑
Grey Talon's in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "I wasn't expecting to see the Drifter here, but I'm glad he showed up to get what's coming to him!"
- ↑ Grey Talon's in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "Finally..."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Grey Talon): "The fun had to end sometime, didn't it?"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Grey Talon): "You had a good run, Talon."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Calico): "Wesley could never stop me, and you're no Wesley."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Calico): "Always nice when I get to kill Wesley's friends."
- ↑ Drifter and Grey Talon Conversation 1 - Grey Talon: "Did you do it?" - Drifter: "Wesley... If I was gonna murder your grandkids, we both know I would've tied you down and made you watch."
- ↑ Drifter and Grey Talon Conversation 2 - Drifter: "The Patrons have a curious sense of humor now, don't they?" - Drifter: "The silent treatment? Really? Don't tell me you're still raw about Oklahoma."
- ↑ Drifter and Vyper Conversation 1 -
Vyper: "Yeah, it's because they never did time in OKC. Buddy, you're a legend there! You're like the... you're like the... the boogeyman!"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "The Baxter Society made you soft!"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "You're such a disappointment, Shiv."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "You're not the man I thought you were, Shiv."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "Feels Shakespearean, don't it, Shiv?"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Shiv): "If you hadn't put yourself in a muzzle, maybe I'd be worried."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Bloodscent Hunting): "Why you hidin', Shiv? Don't want to say hello to an old friend?"
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Bebop): "Machines are so dissatisfying to kill."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Sinclair): "Not as much fun when they're already dead.
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Victor): "Ain't no fun when you're just putting someone outta their misery."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "And here I was hoping to find an equal..."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "I was expecting so much more from you, Seven."
- ↑ Drifter's in-game voice line (Killed Seven): "That boy still has too much humanity left in him."
- ↑ The Doorman's in-game voice line (Killed Drifter): "Always a pleasure to see you again, Drifter."
- ↑ Drifter and Paradox Conversation 1 - Drifter: "You look annoyed." -
Paradox: "I am annoyed. You don't have anything interesting to steal."
- ↑ Mina's in-game voice line (Pass Drifter on Zipline): "Did he notice me?! Oh God, I think he noticed me..."
- ↑ Vyper and Drifter Conversation 2 - Drifter: "What, you lookin' to get drinks?" - Vyper: "Y'know, I was lookin' to get as, uh, far away from you as possible while you were still in a good mood... but if you're buying I'm good for, like, a cocktail or two."
- ↑ Drifter and Wraith Conversation 3 -
Wraith: "Glad you're on our side, Drifter." - Drifter: "You should be, Wraith, otherwise I..." - Wraith: "No need to threaten me, I'm already scared of you."
- ↑ Drifter and Infernus Conversation 3
- ↑ Drifter and Mirage Conversation 1 - Drifter: "Ritual's starting, pretty boy."
- ↑ 2025-05-01 - atahutahatena on Reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumors - Streamer accidentally leaks hero roster of a more "secret" private Deadlock pre-alpha playtest build
- ↑ 2025-08-18 - Kaori; Deadlock Discord - "its "hush little baby"
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