One of my favorite things to do in Deadlock is dive into the heroes’ lore. Some backstories are straightforward, like “Jacob Lash is an asshole,” while others unravel complex journeys of pain and perseverance, such as Bebop turning to crime to pay for his creator’s medical bills. The latest hero, Mirage, continues this trend of intriguing character development.
Mirage serves as the bodyguard for Djinn Ambassador Nashala Dion, who’s on a mission in New York City to secure a safe home for her kind. Oddly enough, her ideal choice for this new utopia? Wyoming. Now, I’ve never been to the U.S., so I can’t compare Wyoming to other states, but it seems like a peculiar pick for a sovereign Djinn homeland. Regardless, Mirage’s story adds to the lore’s charm, mixing random real estate aspirations with serious battlefield prowess.
Speaking of battles, Mirage isn’t just about diplomatic missions. His Tornado ability transforms him into a whirlwind that can launch enemies into the air while dealing damage. He can also unleash Fire Scarabs, bugs that drain the life force of enemies, and his passive ability, Djinn’s Mark, increases damage multipliers on selected targets. His ultimate allows him to teleport to allies or enemies, gaining a speed boost that can turn the tide in intense situations.
Fans are loving Mirage, not just for his combat skills but for his oddball storyline. As one player put it: “I hope they keep it random. It’s so much fun to sift through the lore when you suddenly get blindsided by ‘Is it cannibalism to eat werewolves?'”
Deadlock’s lore might be quirky and unexpected, but that’s part of its charm. I just hope the game doesn’t fall into the “lore purgatory” trap, like Overwatch, where hints of future events never get fully explored. For now, I’m content piecing together Mirage’s bizarre backstory and learning more about this weird, wonderful world.
