Internal namesCodenames used for this hero in the game files:
Necro
Graves is a Hero in Deadlock. The dead have been making a whole lot of demands lately, and only Graves has the courage to oblige. That severed lich hand she found in the cemetery has proven itself a valuable ally, allowing her to latch onto her enemies and steal their power for herself. Her curiosities about the passage of life are further put to use with Jar of Dead, collecting the remains of the fallen, shaking them up, and throwing them back at her enemies to grant those remorseful spirits a final shot at revenge. With Grasping Hands she strikes a deep crack in the earth, allowing those down below to grab onto enemies' ankles and stop them from escaping her reach. And when all else fails, a Borrowed Decree will summon the dead to fight alongside her.
Graves was released as the second winner of the Old Gods, New Blood update contest.
+1 Max Steal Targets All Summons now apply Essence Theft
Borrowed Decree
0.66s
20m
16s
x0.04
0
140s
Innate: Abilities can summon Ghouls that shamble toward the enemy base, dealing melee damage. They explode when they approach a hero or objective, dealing spirit damage in an area and applying a brief slow
Active: Create a gravestone at a target location that summons Ghouls over time. Enemies can destroy the gravestone with two heavy melees.
The daughter of high-power defense attorneys, Darcy Graves grew up in a home where every conversation was a debate, argument, or negotiation. It was exhausting. But while her parents were often too busy meeting with clients or working on cases to bond with her, the dead were always there to listen.
Graves enjoyed her time in the cemetery. It was a quiet place to calm her thoughts and talk through her problems...but one day her one-sided conversations started to change.
It began with a faint whisper. A woman's voice that seemed to respond to Graves' complaints. Intrigued, the teenager listened...and followed the voice's instructions until it guided her to a lead-lined box buried in Van Cortlandt Park. But while most high school students would freak out if they were to unearth a severed lich hand, Graves was certainly not most teens. The hand now free of its prison, the lich's voice grew stronger... It had spent years looking to find a student she could pass her knowledge to, and Graves was eager to learn.
Now a fledgling necromancer, Darcy balances not only her homework at Blackmore Academy...but the demands of graveyard denizens, each of whom have their own unfinished business that they seek her aid in resolving.
Lore
Graves is a necromancer who seems to be fighting in the ritual on behalf of her mentor: a lich.[1][2][3] It's implied that the lich is using Graves to get what she wants, a fact that Graves is oblivious to.[4][5] The motivations and goals of the lich are currently unknown.
According to the Patrons, Graves works tirelessly to honor the dead and grant them peace, and many souls are in her debt.[10][11]
Character interactions
Seven warns Graves that her mentor is using her to "live glories they could not achieve on their own."[4] He also warns Graves that the path she's on will eventually get her killed. Seven warns Graves because he "hates to see talent wasted."[12]
Haze offers a place at the OSIC to Graves, suggesting a job as a Medium.[13]
Infernus offers to help Graves if she ever finds herself in over her head, as a form of payment for Hank saving his life when he was Graves' age.[14]
According to Rem, Graves smells like wet dirt.[17]
Gallery
Graves' icon.
Graves' card.
Graves in-game render.
Graves' typography.
"Vote for Graves" poster/spray from the 1/23/26 major update.
Damaged "Vote Graves" poster.
Graves splash art from the vote screen.
Graves voter sticker.
Graves' shadow in the hideout.
Gloat portrait for Graves.
Critical health portrait for Graves.
Trivia
References
↑The Hidden King's in-game voice line (Graves start): "Your devotion to your mentor is admirable, Graves. Use what she taught you to complete the ritual."
↑The Archmother's in-game voice line (enemy Graves killstreak): "By the minute, that lich's pawn grows stronger. Kill Graves!"
↑Krill's in-game voice line (Graves killed): "Let this be a lesson on the dangers of obeying a lich hand."
↑Krill's in-game voice line (Graves killed): "The poor girl didn't even realize she was being used."
↑Hidden King's in-game voice line (Graves start) - "Darcy Graves. You have been misunderstood your whole life, but The Hidden King sees you. Complete the ritual, and others will as well."
↑Shopkeeper's in-game voice line (Graves buys t4 item): "You Blackmore kids are into some wild stuff!"
↑Shopkeeper's in-game voice line (Graves buys t4 item): "High school must be weirder than I remember."
↑Infernus' in-game voice line (killed Graves): "When are these Blackmore kids gonna learn?!"
↑The Hidden King's in-game voice line (Graves start): "You work tirelessly to honour the dead and bring them peace. The Hidden King is counting on that same devotion."
↑The Archmother's in-game voice line (Graves start): "Many souls are in your debt, Graves. If you finish the ritual, the Archmother herself will join that number."
↑Graves And Infernus Conversation 3 - "Look. When I was around your age I needed help, and someone gave it to me. It changed my life, and I just wanted you to know that... I'm willing to pay it forward."
↑Graves And Holliday Conversation 3 - "Sooo, do they give you the pack of cloves when you become a theatre kid, or was that something you brought to the table all on your own?"
↑Shopkeeper's in-game voice line (Graves buys t4 item): "I know a theatre kid when I see one."
↑Rem's in-game voice line (killed Graves): "She smells like wet dirt."
Jar of Dead
4
13s
spirit damage to enemies. 
4
x0.25
16
7m
Search Range
1
