I posted an Invoker concept a while back. Since then, I’ve been on and off Deadlock throughout its test phase — not out of disinterest, but just balancing real life and other games. The new heroes and updates show how much thought is going into development, and it’s exciting to see where Deadlock is headed.
This new concept builds on Invoker, a remake to fit Deadlock’s modern pace and hero design style.
DotA(2)
Back in early DotA days, many heroes, abilities and items were inspired by other games, media, and creators. Different versions of DotA existed on Battle.net, each with unique heroes. Over time, the best ideas rose to the top and became mainstream to the main game. That kind of freedom of creativity eventually led to a tight community, from guides to fan art. Its what made DotA special. People took a lot from DotA 2 rising it's popularity, casters and media became a solid industry for some people to create jobs out of the game(some not so lucky). I think Deadlock can continue to benefit from the same spirit of borrowing mechanics or archetypes from other genres to create something new and exciting, not just Invoker himself but to the game. Inspiration and influence is key when creating something.
Invoker / Dormmamu MVC3 / Nine BBCF
It's a bit embarrassing to admit, throughout my time playing DotA I still haven't learned or mastered Invoker. But I know the hero very well since I am always pit up against him or teamed up with him. But these years not a lot of Invoker players are around anymore, people say new players are intimidated but maybe Invoker is just out of touch these past few years himself. He was a very arrogant hero but rightfully so, in strong hands he was a menace but could easily be thwarted if used incorrectly. He was infamously hard to play as or against even during his days in classic DotA. Invoker was not a functional hero in DotA 2 till 2012. He would eventually cause chaos during his release, many old and new players became Invoker mains that day. He has access to 10 powerful spells that can be used in a variety of ways to be an overwhelming force. Most should already be familiar with Invoker and his past before DotA 2, having 20+ spells.
Dormmamu and Nine fit very well into the Invoker category while being in a completely different genre. Originating from two very fast paced, hard to master fighting games from 2011 - 2015 and are quite similar to each other in terms of mechanics.
Dormmamu first appeared in Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, the copyrights to the versus series were on hold for nearly 10 years. “Dark Spell” Creation and Destruction. They can be combined into multiple special attacks. A deep combo knowledge and resource management character. Very much in the spirit of Invoker.
Dustruction
Creation
Charged
power of- power of- power of Creation
Base on the combination, he gains access to 9 different specials to invoke. Some are just more powerful versions of themselves but with different properties and uses.
Examples: CCC
D
CC
etc.
Additionally he also has his normal moves and specials moves which lean more on the cooler side while increasing his skill level. Dormammu requires a lot of practice and expertise. He is a strong character that is a bit unique for a versus game.
flight
5L
623H
236M
teleport
Nine, is possibly inspired by Invoker. Blazblue itself comes from 2008, she was introduced to JP Arcades in 2015 and release to the public a year later on consoles. Nine uses elementals as her normals (A = Water, B = Air, C = Fire) that combine into an arsenal of spells.
4A
jB
6C
3 spells that similar to each other, adding 9 basic spells with their own uses and priorities(A, AA, AAA, B, BB, BBB, C, CC, CCC). She has 10 more spells totaling 19 spells depending on combination. (AB, AC, CB, AAB). Her invoke is her drive button D.
WF
AAF
WFF
AFF
WFA
She also has her own motion specials and supers making her require even more knowledge.
214A
214C
236236C
She has the ability to store and switch her spells, allowing her to carry at least 2 different combinations and switching. Without going too in depth, she can also absorb spells to purge and gain special buffs for herself.
Storing spell
teleport/dash
Her dash is also unique, teleporting her in whichever direction, including from and into the air.
She is quite a complex character that requires a lot of knowledge on match ups and understanding.
honorable mentions: GGST Asuka R♯ Mana and Spell mechanic
Askuka is very similar but would require even more explaining like Nine. He has access to over 30 spells. You can read them over here if interested in what he does. He is an insane character. But I have more experience with the current two.
Hero and Mechanics
Dual Wielding
650 (750?)hp
- bullet or spirit resist
6 ms
Stamina 3(2?)
Would be a bit slow like hero with a bit of fragile to them. But I am not sure how things are made behind the scenes. The gun projectiles would be similar to Paige but dual slinging their wizard hands. I am unsure about the gun because i have no knowledge on if it should be auto, spread etc. But having a gun firing like Pocket/Paige but with their hands would be the main idea
his hands are his gun!
The mechanics are the main focus for now. The actual theme and background story would define the final spell kit. Whether it’s Invoker himself crossing into Deadlock’s world while sacrificing an orb to travel, or an entirely new mage/demon/cosmic horror/entity archetype, I think a 2-orb invoker-style hero could bring a unique, high-skill expression to the roster.
The hero would gain their Orbs/spells similar to Dormmamu meaning only two build ups. To gain the build up, it would be similar to Toxic Bullets, Djinn Mark, Fixation but the build up would be for yourself, so switching targets wont be an issue. LMB and RMB for secondary, no zoom. Sharing the same exact fire rate and damage as each other(depending on character idea), only changing what builds up. (damage from the Ricocheted bullets wont cause build up)
build up could be 3 empty slots above his head that he has to fill from firing.
Keeping the core 4 ability hero layout so that they can have their powerful spells while balancing around their regular abilities and upgrades. Their passive or one of their abilities will be able to store, switch and purge(self casted on). The ultimate stays the Invoke so Sin Clair can continue to use Spell steal in mind (Sin Clair will steal whichever spell is in the invoked slot, last used, or purged, wont steal invoke itself.) Core hero abilities gives the hero at least 2 more (3? i assume one might be a passive lol) spells and their ultimate invoke. MAYBE some invoked ultimate spells can conjoin with one of the two 2(3) regular abilities to create something different or enhance it to become more powerful, like a Dark Orb as a normal ability, moves slower than Seven's ball and Doorman's bell, smaller and if you manage to cast a spell on top of it that can fuse with it, it reacts becoming bigger, faster or exploding into a pillar. This allows even more depth and complexity to the character. Maybe spells can combo into themselves? Fireball + Tornado = flaming tornado? Anything is possible.
combinations 1 lmb and 2 lmb (right side combinations are same as left side.)
221(211/121)
222
22
2
12 (21)
112(122/212)
111
11
1
holding both LMB and RMB to shoot could build up a 3rd orb allowing for more spells and combinations and needing to fill 3 slots for invoke, but I didn't want to make things TOO complicated.
I have a lot of different ideas, but without knowing who or what the hero is, it is difficult to even create random spell and abilities for a character which I cannot visualize. They might become a fast moving hero or something completely different base on clothes or the abilities themselves. I just hope this helps provide ideas and motivation to continue working on something that will allow an Invoker like hero run through Deadlock one day. I hope this also influences others to continue making hero suggestions to make this game fun and for more unique heroes to enter.
I fear the idea of a hero that only builds up combinations to only powers up/enhance their normals abilties.
Thank you for reading.
and thanks to all the developers working on Deadlock.
This new concept builds on Invoker, a remake to fit Deadlock’s modern pace and hero design style.
DotA(2)
Back in early DotA days, many heroes, abilities and items were inspired by other games, media, and creators. Different versions of DotA existed on Battle.net, each with unique heroes. Over time, the best ideas rose to the top and became mainstream to the main game. That kind of freedom of creativity eventually led to a tight community, from guides to fan art. Its what made DotA special. People took a lot from DotA 2 rising it's popularity, casters and media became a solid industry for some people to create jobs out of the game(some not so lucky). I think Deadlock can continue to benefit from the same spirit of borrowing mechanics or archetypes from other genres to create something new and exciting, not just Invoker himself but to the game. Inspiration and influence is key when creating something.
Invoker / Dormmamu MVC3 / Nine BBCF
It's a bit embarrassing to admit, throughout my time playing DotA I still haven't learned or mastered Invoker. But I know the hero very well since I am always pit up against him or teamed up with him. But these years not a lot of Invoker players are around anymore, people say new players are intimidated but maybe Invoker is just out of touch these past few years himself. He was a very arrogant hero but rightfully so, in strong hands he was a menace but could easily be thwarted if used incorrectly. He was infamously hard to play as or against even during his days in classic DotA. Invoker was not a functional hero in DotA 2 till 2012. He would eventually cause chaos during his release, many old and new players became Invoker mains that day. He has access to 10 powerful spells that can be used in a variety of ways to be an overwhelming force. Most should already be familiar with Invoker and his past before DotA 2, having 20+ spells.
Dormmamu and Nine fit very well into the Invoker category while being in a completely different genre. Originating from two very fast paced, hard to master fighting games from 2011 - 2015 and are quite similar to each other in terms of mechanics.
Dormmamu first appeared in Marvel vs Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, the copyrights to the versus series were on hold for nearly 10 years. “Dark Spell” Creation and Destruction. They can be combined into multiple special attacks. A deep combo knowledge and resource management character. Very much in the spirit of Invoker.
Dustruction
Creation Chargedpower of- power of- power of Creation
Base on the combination, he gains access to 9 different specials to invoke. Some are just more powerful versions of themselves but with different properties and uses.
Examples: CCC
DCC etc.Additionally he also has his normal moves and specials moves which lean more on the cooler side while increasing his skill level. Dormammu requires a lot of practice and expertise. He is a strong character that is a bit unique for a versus game.
flight
5L 623H236M
teleportNine, is possibly inspired by Invoker. Blazblue itself comes from 2008, she was introduced to JP Arcades in 2015 and release to the public a year later on consoles. Nine uses elementals as her normals (A = Water, B = Air, C = Fire) that combine into an arsenal of spells.
4A
jB6C3 spells that similar to each other, adding 9 basic spells with their own uses and priorities(A, AA, AAA, B, BB, BBB, C, CC, CCC). She has 10 more spells totaling 19 spells depending on combination. (AB, AC, CB, AAB). Her invoke is her drive button D.
WF
AAF WFFAFF
WFAShe also has her own motion specials and supers making her require even more knowledge.
214A
214C 236236CShe has the ability to store and switch her spells, allowing her to carry at least 2 different combinations and switching. Without going too in depth, she can also absorb spells to purge and gain special buffs for herself.
Storing spell
teleport/dashHer dash is also unique, teleporting her in whichever direction, including from and into the air.
She is quite a complex character that requires a lot of knowledge on match ups and understanding.
honorable mentions: GGST Asuka R♯ Mana and Spell mechanic
Askuka is very similar but would require even more explaining like Nine. He has access to over 30 spells. You can read them over here if interested in what he does. He is an insane character. But I have more experience with the current two.
Hero and Mechanics
Dual Wielding
650 (750?)hp
- bullet or spirit resist
6 ms
Stamina 3(2?)
Would be a bit slow like hero with a bit of fragile to them. But I am not sure how things are made behind the scenes. The gun projectiles would be similar to Paige but dual slinging their wizard hands. I am unsure about the gun because i have no knowledge on if it should be auto, spread etc. But having a gun firing like Pocket/Paige but with their hands would be the main idea
his hands are his gun!The mechanics are the main focus for now. The actual theme and background story would define the final spell kit. Whether it’s Invoker himself crossing into Deadlock’s world while sacrificing an orb to travel, or an entirely new mage/demon/cosmic horror/entity archetype, I think a 2-orb invoker-style hero could bring a unique, high-skill expression to the roster.
The hero would gain their Orbs/spells similar to Dormmamu meaning only two build ups. To gain the build up, it would be similar to Toxic Bullets, Djinn Mark, Fixation but the build up would be for yourself, so switching targets wont be an issue. LMB and RMB for secondary, no zoom. Sharing the same exact fire rate and damage as each other(depending on character idea), only changing what builds up. (damage from the Ricocheted bullets wont cause build up)
build up could be 3 empty slots above his head that he has to fill from firing.
Keeping the core 4 ability hero layout so that they can have their powerful spells while balancing around their regular abilities and upgrades. Their passive or one of their abilities will be able to store, switch and purge(self casted on). The ultimate stays the Invoke so Sin Clair can continue to use Spell steal in mind (Sin Clair will steal whichever spell is in the invoked slot, last used, or purged, wont steal invoke itself.) Core hero abilities gives the hero at least 2 more (3? i assume one might be a passive lol) spells and their ultimate invoke. MAYBE some invoked ultimate spells can conjoin with one of the two 2(3) regular abilities to create something different or enhance it to become more powerful, like a Dark Orb as a normal ability, moves slower than Seven's ball and Doorman's bell, smaller and if you manage to cast a spell on top of it that can fuse with it, it reacts becoming bigger, faster or exploding into a pillar. This allows even more depth and complexity to the character. Maybe spells can combo into themselves? Fireball + Tornado = flaming tornado? Anything is possible.
combinations 1 lmb and 2 lmb (right side combinations are same as left side.)
221(211/121)
222
22
2
12 (21)
112(122/212)
111
11
1
holding both LMB and RMB to shoot could build up a 3rd orb allowing for more spells and combinations and needing to fill 3 slots for invoke, but I didn't want to make things TOO complicated.
I have a lot of different ideas, but without knowing who or what the hero is, it is difficult to even create random spell and abilities for a character which I cannot visualize. They might become a fast moving hero or something completely different base on clothes or the abilities themselves. I just hope this helps provide ideas and motivation to continue working on something that will allow an Invoker like hero run through Deadlock one day. I hope this also influences others to continue making hero suggestions to make this game fun and for more unique heroes to enter.
I fear the idea of a hero that only builds up combinations to only powers up/enhance their normals abilties.
Thank you for reading.
and thanks to all the developers working on Deadlock.
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