How do I counter McGinnis as Venator in Deadlock?

Build Battle Vest, Melee Lifesteal, Restorative Shot to counter their primary threats. Focus on items that address the enemy team's main damage type.

What items should Venator buy against McGinnis in Deadlock?

Start with Battle Vest, Melee Lifesteal, Restorative Shot, Monster Rounds for laning, then transition to Superior Duration, Rapid Recharge, Weapon Shielding, Escalating Resilience mid game.

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Venator

Counter-build vs McGinnis

49%EVENavg WR vs team

McGinnis

49%

Sust. GunSummons

WeaponSpiritVitality

Next buy

Lane phase (auto) · 0 souls spent

Battle Vest

T2 · 1,600 souls

Bullet resist vs McGinnis

While you are above 65% health, gain weapon damage and bonus fire rate.

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Tap an enemy, then what you saw — NEXT BUY and the build below both adapt.Select an enemy, then what you saw — both adapt.

Same logic as the in-game HUD (counters, your items, scouted enemy items). The build below is a whole-game plan that also weighs live win rates, so the two can differ.

Select an item for what it does and who it counters.= data behind the pick · FLEX = swappable last slot.

Laning Phase

Early game items (T1-T2) to win your lane

4,000 souls

Battle VestT21,600

Bullet resist vs McGinnis

Bullet Resist

Melee LifestealT1800

Sustain for extended fights

LifestealSustain

Restorative ShotT1800

Sustain for extended fights

SustainLifesteal

Monster RoundsT1800

Strong general-purpose item for this matchup

Wave Clear

Mid Game

Core items (T2-T3) for team fights and objectives

11,200 souls

Superior DurationT33,200

Bullet resist vs McGinnis

Bullet Resist

Rapid RechargeT33,200

Faster ability rotations

Weapon ShieldingT21,600

Bullet resist vs McGinnis

Bullet ResistShield

Escalating ResilienceT33,200

Bullet resist vs McGinnis

Bullet Resist

Late Game

Power spike items (T3-T4) to close out the game

25,600 souls

ColossusT46,400

Bullet and spirit resist vs McGinnis

Bullet Resist

Diviner's KevlarT46,400

Survivability against burst damage

Shield

Mystic ReverbT46,400

Sustain for extended fights

Lifesteal

Spirit BurnT46,400FLEX

Gives you spirit burst damage

AoE Damage

Edit enemies

Why This Build Works

This counter-build for Venator is optimized against McGinnis. The enemy team has a mixed damage profile, so the build balances multiple defensive needs.

Key counters needed: Bullet ResistLifestealSustainShield

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