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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.

Stalker

Bloodthirsty

Cruel

Weapon Stats
Damage Per Second:	44.2
Bullet Damage:	19.5+0.49
Pellets per shot:	3
Ammo:	12
Bullets per sec:	2.27
Reload Time:	2.44s
Bullet Velocity:	508m/s
Light Melee:	51.5+1.58
Heavy Melee:	120+3.68
Crit Bonus Scale:	-45%

Information

Voice Actor:	Matt Mercer^[1]
Release Date:	August 27, 2025

Drifter was released on August 27, 2025 as the fifth hero of the Six New Heroes update (fourth winner of hero vote).

Weapon

Crimson Grasp

Spreadshot

Close Range

44 Damage Per Second

Falloff Range

22m ➞ 27m

Crimson Grasp deals the same amount of bullet damage to a target regardless of how many pellets hit per shot. It deals no damage beyond its max range.

Abilities

Rend

Swipe at enemies in a cone ahead of you, dealing spirit damage. If the enemy is in close range, deal bonus melee damage.

x1.4

40

Bonus Damage

On Close Range

x1.2

61.8

Damage

8m Close Range

1

40 Bonus Damage

2

-8s Cooldown

5

Deals 55% Heavy Melee Damage
Silences enemies for 2s if close range

Benefits from melee items (e.g. Melee Lifesteal) Debuff duration reduced by Debuff Resist

Triggers Reactive Barrier Effect can be dispelled Disable prevented by Indomitable CC effect suppressed by Unstoppable

Stalker's Mark

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.

x0.015

2%/sec

Bleed Damage

5s

Duration

-1s Charge Delay

1

-8% Bullet Resist

2

-10s Cooldown and +3s Duration

5

+1.5% Bleed and -40% Healing Reduction

Debuff duration reduced by Debuff Resist Effect can be dispelled Disabled by Slowing Hex

Damage is based on target's current health, not their max health.
Damage is divided up into 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.
Reactivating Stalker's Mark has a short cast time before teleporting.
- If the duration expires during the cast time, Drifter will not teleport to the target.

Bloodscent

Isolated heroes leave a trail as they move, and emit their heartbeat from afar.

You deal amplified damage against isolated heroes, and when isolated heroes die nearby you gain permanent weapon damage.

15%

Amplified Damage

20m

Isolation Range

On Isolated Hero Death:

3%

Permanent Weapon Damage

1

+3m/s Move Speed when around an isolated enemy hero

2

On isolated hero death: Heal 24% of your missing health and restores 2 Stamina

5

11% Amplified Damage

Healing amplified by Healing Booster and affected by healing reduction Healing triggers Healing Tempo's unique effect

Getting an assist on an isolated enemy hero grants the same bonuses as a kill.
All "On Kill" bonuses, including those from assists, only trigger if the target is considered Isolated at the moment of death.
The range for the movement speed near isolated heroes is 80 meters and lingers for about 7 seconds if there is no isolated target in range. 80 meters is roughly the distance between the two opposing blue guardians.

Eternal Night

Surround nearby enemy heroes in darkness, severely limiting their vision of other units. Affected enemies are briefly revealed to you and are considered isolated for the duration.

You gain bonus sprint speed.

15m

Reduced Vision

2m

Sprint Speed

2 Max Targets

1

+10m Sprint Speed

2

-40s Cooldown

5

+2.5s Duration and +1 Max Targets.

Background

See Drifter/Lore for more story content.

“

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

Unlike the other heroes, Drifter isn't participating in the ritual for a wish, but instead for the carnage.^[2] He views the wish as a "bonus".^[3]

The Drifter has lived for centuries.^[4] His age is unknown, but he refers to New York as "New Amsterdam",^[5] which implies he's been around at least since 1665.^[6] He also implies that he knew Doc Holliday from the 19th century.^[7]

Drifter is not the Troubadour.^[8]^[9] He has never met him before, and only knows him by reputation.^[10]

Drifter speaks in a Cajun accent from Louisiana, indicating that he may be associated with 17th century Acadian French immigrants.^[11]

Drifter has been hunted by the Baxter Society, the Swords of Saint Benedict, and Silver.^[12]^[13]^[14] The OSIC aren't after Drifter.^[15]

Drifter seems to be scared of fire, and expresses relief if he doesn't have to fight Infernus.^[16]

Drifter likes to steal his victim's coats.^[17]^[18]

Character interactions

Drifter and Oathkeeper are old friends.^[19] Drifter can't believe Lady Geist could lock away "someone as fun as Oathkeeper".^[20]^[21]
Drifter thinks Mina is a "pathetic excuse for a vampire".^[22] Mina is terrified of Drifter.^[23]^[24]
Drifter warns Holliday to let go of her obsession with the Troubadour before the Troubadour finds out about her chasing him.^[25]
Drifter and Grey Talon have a long history with each other. Drifter refers to Grey Talon by his first name "Wesley".^[26] While Grey Talon despises Drifter,^[27]^[28] Drifter holds Talon in high regards.^[29]^[30]^[31] Drifter enjoys tormenting Talon, seemingly by hurting his loved ones.^[32]^[33] There was a particularly brutal interaction between the two in Oklahoma.^[34] Vyper mentions that Drifter is a "legend" in Oklahoma.^[35]
Drifter knew Shiv before he joined the Baxter Society.^[36] If he kills Shiv, he calls him a "disappointment" and mentions that killing him feels "Shakespearean".^[37]^[38]^[39] He also mentions that, had Shiv not "put himself in a muzzle, he'd be worried".^[40] When hunting Shiv, he refers to himself as an "old friend".^[41] How Shiv and Drifter met each other is unknown.
Drifter has killed Venators before,^[13] though he had higher expectations for the playable Venator.^[42] If they're on the same team, Venator promises to kill Drifter after the ritual.^[43]
Drifter doesn't enjoy killing Bebop because he's a machine,^[44] Sinclair because they're already dead,^[45] and Victor because he's just putting him out of his misery.^[46]
Drifter has high expectations for Seven,^[47]^[48] but thinks he still has too much humanity left in him.^[49]
The Doorman has met Drifter before.^[50]
Paradox is annoyed that Drifter has nothing worth stealing.^[51]
Drifter thinks Mirage is handsome. ^[52]

Update history

View the full update history: Drifter/Update history

Update	Changes
August 12, 2026	Rend Spirit scaling reduced from 1.7 to 1.4. Stalker's Mark Cooldown increased from 24s to 26s. Stalker's Mark T2 reduced from -12s Cooldown to -10s.
July 28, 2026	Rend spirit scaling reduced from 1.8 to 1.7. Rend T3 silence duration reduced from 2.3s to 2s.
July 13, 2026	(Undocumented) New SFX for Eternal Night.

Gallery

Drifter portrait
Drifter icon
Drifter in-game render
Drifter select background
Drifter poster
Drifter reference sheet
Drifter name typography
Drifter weapon - Crimson Grasp
Previous Drifter portrait
Unfinished Drifter model art
Gloat icon for the Drifter.
Critical health icon for the Drifter.

Trivia

Drifter was one of the heroes in a private build who was accidentally leaked on stream in May 2025.^[53]
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. He also previously had other animations similar to the Hunter's attack and run.
"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.^[54]
- 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.
Drifter has marks on his arms and hands that seem to be based on the Hobo Code.
Lash calls Drifter a "murder hobo",^[55] a term commonly used to describe RPG players who kill NPCs indiscriminately. Drifter's voice actor Mat thew Mercer is well-known as the Dungeon Master of the Dungeons & Dragons webseries Critical Role.

References

↑ 2026-01-28 - Kaori; Deadlock Discord - Link to Drifter's voice line "I’m exactly who you think I am" in response to speculation about Matt Mercer
↑ Hidden King's in-game voice line (Drifter Start): "Revel in the massacre, Drifter, it is the Hidden King's gift to you. All he asks in return... is that you summon him."
↑ 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 And Holliday Conversation 3 - "I know whose gun that is. You gon' be able to make him proud?"
↑ 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 - "What are the boys and girls of the Baxter Society gonna say about us workin' together?"
↑ ^13.0 ^13.1 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?"
↑ Silver's in-game voice line (killed Drifter): "I got you, you son of a bitch."
↑ Drifter And Haze Conversation 1 - "OSIC finally coming for me?" - "No, we're using you. If we were coming for you, you'd already be dead."
↑ Drifter And Infernus Conversation 3
↑ 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!"
↑ Mina's in-game voice line (Pass Drifter on Zipline): "Did he notice me?! Oh God, I think he noticed me..."
↑ Mina's in-game voice line (kill Drifter): "Get that thing away from me!"
↑ 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 - "Did you do it?" - "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 - "The Patrons have a curious sense of humor now, don't they?" - "The silent treatment? Really? Don't tell me you're still raw about Oklahoma."
↑ Drifter And Vyper Conversation 1 - "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 Venator) - "I expected more from the Sword of Saint Benedict."
↑ Venator And Drifter Conversation 1 - "After the ritual's complete, I'm going to drive a stake in your heart."
↑ 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 - "You look annoyed." - "I am annoyed. You don't have anything interesting to steal."
↑ Drifter And Mirage Conversation 1 - "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"
↑ Lash And Drifter Conversation 1 - "So, what are you supposed to be, some kind of murder hobo?"