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McGinnis: Deadlock’s Tactician Extraordinaire

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Posted on:
31st January 2025
Updated:
ago
Est reading:
7 minutes

McGinnis Intro

In Deadlock, every hero brings a unique flavor to the battlefield. If you’re someone who loves strategic gameplay with a mix of firepower and support, McGinnis is your go-to hero. Built with turrets, healing specters, and massive area-of-effect (AoE) damage, McGinnis is a deadly combination of brains and brawn. This McGinnis hero guide will cover everything you need to know about his abilities, builds, and playstyle to dominate your games.

McGinnis Overview

In Deadlock, every hero brings a unique flavor to the battlefield. If you’re someone who loves strategic gameplay with a mix of firepower and support, McGinnis is your go-to hero. Built with turrets, healing specters, and massive area-of-effect (AoE) damage, McGinnis is a deadly combination of brains and brawn. This McGinnis hero guide will cover everything you need to know about her abilities, builds, and playstyle to dominate your games.

McGinnis is one of the most versatile characters in the game, known for her tactical prowess and support capabilities. Focusing on McGinnis allows you to control the battlefield with mini turrets that automatically shoot enemies, heal allies, and unleash devastating ultimates. Understanding McGinnis' abilities is crucial to maximizing her potential in Deadlock.

Base Stats:

  • Base health of 550
  • Carries 66 ammo
  • 80 damage per second with her primary weapon
  • Her turrets deal 30 damage per second and have max health and have 60 health points
  • Wields a powerful minigun, allowing her to lay down sustained fire on her enemies

Strengths

  • Versatile kit: McGinnis has a great mix of utility and damage output. She can control spaces with her Spectral Wall and turrets, while healing teammates in intense situations.
  • Strong in prolonged fights: Thanks to her ability to heal and deploy turrets, McGinnis excels in extended engagements where she can maximize the value of her kit.
  • AoE damage: Her ultimate, Heavy Barrage, can turn the tide of team fights, raining down rockets that deal 30 damage per second for six seconds and slowing enemies, making it easier for your team to clean up.
  • High DPS: Her primary weapon deals consistent DPS, allowing her to contribute damage throughout all stages of the game.

Weaknesses

  • Mobility issues: McGinnis lacks escape options. If caught out of position, it's difficult for her to survive without team support.
  • Fragile without turret protection: McGinnis relies on her mini turrets to provide consistent damage and protection. If they're destroyed, her effectiveness drops considerably compared to other heroes.
  • Needs awareness of surroundings: McGinnis players need to be aware of their surroundings to avoid being ambushed.
  • Reduced damage to troopers: While McGinnis excels in dealing with enemy heroes, her abilities deal reduced damage to troopers and objectives compared to some other heroes.

Abilities Explained

Understanding each ability in McGinnis' kit is essential for mastering her playstyle and maximizing her potential in Deadlock.

Mini Turret

McGinnis' first ability is a deployable mini turret that automatically shoots enemies and expires after a limited time. The turret can slow enemies and, with upgrades like Extra Charge and Rapid Charge, gains additional charges and attack range. Notably, turrets gain 30% increased damage when near McGinnis due to her Heroic Aura. This makes it a crucial part of any build for McGinnis, especially a turret build.

Tip: Place turrets strategically in choke points or behind cover to maximize their uptime in fights. Ensure they have a clear line of sight to enemies.

Medicinal Specter

This Medicinal Specter ability heals McGinnis and her nearby allies. The specter can significantly enhance your team's survivability, especially during drawn-out fights. Its cooldown can be reduced with upgrades, making it a reliable tool for sustained healing. It also provides spirit resist, reducing incoming spirit damage.

Tip: Use Medicinal Specter in the heat of battle to keep your team going or when pushing objectives, reducing the need to back frequently.

Spectral Wall

Spectral Wall is a defensive barrier that damages and slows enemies upon creation. Enemies cannot move through the wall, making it an excellent tool for area denial and can stun and knock back opponents. This wall not only divides the battlefield but can also be used to cut off enemies' escape routes or protect your team. Turrets and Spectral Wall together can deal damage and distract opponents effectively.

Tip: Use Spectral Wall to block enemy movement in team fights, forcing them into disadvantageous positions.

Heavy Barrage (Ultimate)

Upon activation, Heavy Barrage unleashes a volley of rockets on a targeted area for six seconds, dealing massive damage and slowing all enemies hit. The rockets deal 30 damage per second and can decimate clustered foes. It's an excellent tool for disrupting team fights and securing kills on fleeing enemies. This ability in McGinnis' kit has immense potential in Deadlock.

Tip: Coordinate with your team to follow up on Heavy Barrage with additional crowd control for devastating results.

Best McGinnis Build in Deadlock: Build Guide

Building McGinnis optimally revolves around balancing her utility with damage output. This guide covers the best Deadlock McGinnis build to enhance her kit, ensuring you have the best items for every situation.

Early Game Build Progression

In the early game, McGinnis needs to focus on building her turrets and gaining sustain to survive the laning phase.

  • Start with McGinnis item choices that improve ammo and fire rate, such as Basic Magazine or Rapid Rounds. These will give McGinnis the firepower to maintain lane control and fit her aggressive playstyle.
  • Prioritize Medicinal Specter upgrades early to keep yourself and your turrets in the fight, reducing the need to back frequently.
  • Consider items like Basic Shield for additional max health and survivability.
  • Minion clearing is essential; use your turrets to efficiently clear minion waves and gain an advantage.

Mid-Game and Late Game Items

As the game progresses into the mid-game and late-game, you'll want to invest in more powerful items that boost your AoE damage and survivability.

  • Titan Magazine and Tesla Bullets are strong picks, improving McGinnis' damage output during team fights.
  • Consider picking up things that give Spirit Power to amplify your Medicinal Specter's healing and enhance your bullet and spirit damage.
  • Situational items like Rescue Beam can provide a healing buff to your team, turning the tide in crucial moments.
  • Reactive Barrier can offer a shield when your health is low, providing extra survivability.

Ability Upgrade Order

For McGinnis, upgrading your abilities in the right order is key to being effective at every stage of the game.

  1. Mini Turret: Max this first to enhance your turrets and Spectral Wall strategy, allowing you to deal damage and distract opponents effectively.
  2. Medicinal Specter: Second priority. With the healing buff, you can sustain your team better.
  3. Spectral Wall: Upgrade last. While valuable, it doesn't provide as much consistent impact but can stun and knock enemies, offering situational potential in Deadlock.
  4. Heavy Barrage: Upgrade whenever available, as the additional damage and cooldown reduction make it a game-changer in team fights.

Gameplay Strategies

Early Game Laning

In the early game, playing McGinnis involves a lot of map awareness. As one of the more strategic characters in the game, solo players should focus on controlling the single lane with turrets and harassing enemies. Deploy turrets behind cover to keep them alive longer and heal your team when necessary with the Medicinal Specter.

Tip: Position yourself defensively and use your turrets to zone out the enemy team. This way, you can farm safely and prevent your opponents from gaining ground.

Team Fights

In team fights, McGinnis excels at zoning and area control. Use your Spectral Wall to obstruct the enemy's line of sight and create knockdown opportunities. Her turrets can poke away at enemies from a distance, while Heavy Barrage deals massive area-of-effect damage.

Tip: Drop your Spectral Wall to block off critical escape routes, and follow up with Heavy Barrage for a devastating combo.

Mastering McGinnis

Mastering McGinnis requires a balance of tactical positioning and team coordination. The key is understanding when to play defensively and when to switch to a more aggressive, turret-focused playstyle. Her success hinges on map awareness and the ability to capitalize on her area control abilities.

Spend time thinking about the late game and strategizing accordingly. While her early and mid-game damage output may feel a little underwhelming, focusing on your playstyle and turret deployment will pay off in the late game and strategizing accordingly.

By mastering McGinnis' skills to zone enemies, heal your team, and dish out area-of-effect damage with Heavy Barrage, you'll be a formidable presence on the battlefield.

Additional Tips for McGinnis Players

  • Remember that your mini turrets can be your best friends. Protect them, and they'll protect you.
  • Items like Extra Charge and Rapid Charge can significantly enhance your turret capabilities.
  • Be aware of your surroundings to avoid being caught out, as McGinnis lacks mobility.
  • Utilize your Spectral Wall effectively; it can change the outcome of team fights.
  • Don't spend too much time thinking about the late game without contributing in the early stages.
  • McGinnis players should consider situational items like Rescue Beam and Reactive Barrier for added utility.

Conclusion

McGinnis is one of Deadlock's most versatile heroes. With a solid understanding of her strengths, weaknesses, and build paths, you can transform him into a tactical powerhouse that controls the map and decimates foes. Whether you're looking to control objectives or provide valuable support to your team, McGinnis has the tools you need to succeed. So, set up those turrets, deploy your Medicinal Specter, and get ready to rain down some serious damage with Heavy Barrage!

Want to learn more about the Deadlock heroes? Check out our other articles at SaveGame or our Deadlock lore article.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on the current patch and may change with future updates. For the most up-to-date strategies, be sure to check the latest guides and gameplay videos.

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