Editing PaigeGive feedback

{{HeroTabs}}
{{Infobox hero
| key = hero_bookworm
| voice_actor = Jacqueline Emerson<ref>2025-09-05 - [https://www.toinstagram.com/p/DOOhRvEkVwY/ Jacqueline Emerson] on Instagram - ''"Soooooo excited to finally announce that I’m voicing this adorable hero character (who may or may not actually be me??) in Valve’s new *in development* MOBA #Deadlock."''</ref>
| release_date = August 25, 2025
| codenames = Bookworm; Patience
}}{{Quotation|2=Books can save people's lives! 
}}
'''Paige''' is a [[Hero]] in ''[[Deadlock]]''. Citizens of Manhattan will learn to appreciate the power of the written word when Paige joins the fight. With the mere toss of a book she can conjure a Bookwyrm that sears enemies who get too close, or bind them to the ground with Captivating Read. Waning allies will find themselves emboldened by Plot Armor, granting them the courage to fight another day. Fantasy becomes reality with Rallying Charge, summoning an entire cavalry to gallop across the city.

Paige grew up with books, love, and kindness in her family home; but she was at odds with her rebellious younger brother, Bryce. He sought out dangerous occult magics, disappearing one day while Paige's normally-watchful eye was away. Now a talented bibliomancer, Paige seeks answers about her brother's disappearance and will stop at nothing to find the answers. 

Paige was released on [[Update:August 25, 2025|August 25, 2025]] as the fourth hero of the [[Update:August 18, 2025|Six New Heroes]] update (third winner of hero vote).

== Weapon ==

{{WeaponCard|key=hero_bookworm}}

Chapter's End's projectiles can pierce through enemies. Items that proc on bullet hit such as {{ItemIcon|Mystic Shot}} only proc on the first enemy hit. 

Chapter's End does not deal critical damage on headshots, but it does proc headshot items such as {{ItemIcon|Headshot Booster}}.

Paige can gain stacks from {{ItemIcon|Split Shot}} by hitting multiple players with the same projectile.

== Abilities ==

{{AbilitySection
| hero_name   = Paige
| ability_num = 1
| notes =
* Ability Range increases (e.g. {{ItemIcon|Greater Expansion}}) affect both the radius and travel range.
* If the dragon hits an obstacle, it deflects and travels along the surface until it can return to its initial course.
** Due to imperfections in geometry this does not always work and the direction may change erratically, especially inside small rooms.
}}

{{AbilitySection
| hero_name   = Paige
| ability_num = 2
| notes       =
* The barrier can be self-cast.
* The barrier is not applied instantly: casting launches a homing projectile that applies barrier when it reaches the target.
* T3 upgrade makes it so that when the barrier projectile reaches its target up to two extra projectiles launch from the target towards the nearest allied heroes.
** These extra projectiles don't require Line of Sight and can pass through walls.
** The search radius for allies is {{#invoke:Abilities|get_ability_prop|Plot Armor|BonusTargetRadius}}m. It is '''not''' affected by Ability Range increases (e.g. {{ItemIcon|Greater Expansion}})
** If there are not enough ally heroes in radius to receive all extra barriers, one barrier projectile will launch towards Paige. She does not have to be inside search radius for that.
** Despite extra barriers giving only 75% of the shield, they give 100% bonus to Weapon Damage and  Fire Rate.
}}

{{AbilitySection
| hero_name   = Paige
| ability_num = 3
| notes =
* The detonation happens {{#invoke:Abilities|get_ability_prop|Captivating Read|DetonationDelay}}s after cast.
}}

{{AbilitySection
| hero_name   = Paige
| ability_num = 4
| notes =
* Has half cooldown if it hits no allies or enemies.
* Paige always gets the positive effects when she casts the ability.
* The move speed bonus lasts for {{#invoke:Abilities|get_ability_prop|Rallying Charge|BuffDuration}}s.
}}

== Backstory ==

{{Fates_Tale|bookworm}}

== Update history ==
{{Update history}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
</gallery><gallery>
File:Bookworm card.png|Paige portrait
File:Paige.png|Paige icon
File:Paige Render.png|Paige in-game render
File:Paige select background.png|Paige select background
File:Paige TitlePage.png|Paige poster
File:Paige Reference Sheet.png|Paige reference sheet
File:Paige Reference Sheet 2.png|Abilities reference sheet
File:Paige name.png|Paige name typography
File:Paige Weapon.png|Paige weapon - Chapter's End
File:Bookworm psd.png|Unfinished Paige model art
File:Paige Gloat.png|Gloat portrait for Paige.
File:Paige Critical.png|Critical health portrait for Paige.
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* Paige's name has a double meaning: It can be a reference to the pages of books, as well as the [[wikipedia:Page_(servant)|servants]] of knights and noblemen in medieval times.
* Paige was one of the heroes in a private build who was accidently leaked on stream in May 2025.<ref>2025-05-01 - atahutahatena on Reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumors - [https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLeaksAndRumours/comments/1kclj5p/streamer_accidentally_leaks_hero_roster_of_a_more/ Streamer accidentally leaks hero roster of a more "secret" private Deadlock pre-alpha playtest build]</ref>
* Paige was originally named '''Bookworm''', and later renamed to '''Patience''' during development, before being changed to her current name. Some voice lines still refer to her as Patience,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Grey Talon}}'s in-game [[Grey Talon/Quotes#Allies|voice line]] (pass Paige on zipline): ''"Stay safe, Patience."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Paige}}'s in-game [[Paige/Quotes#Emotional|voice line]] (Concerned): ''"Alright Patience, just breathe, you're probably not going to die."''</ref> but that is unintentional.<ref>2025-09-29 - [[Kaori (developer)|Kaori]]; [https://discord.com/channels/1231286446472691825 Deadlock Discord] - ''"its a bug, her name is paige"''</ref>
* Paige's ability VFX uses text from the book [[wikipedia:Sir_Gawain_and_the_Green_Knight|''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'']] and the placeholder Lorem Ipsum text.
* "Reading in the Hideout" is displayed as one's status in the in-game Friends List when playing as Paige in the [[Hideout]].
* '''Bookwyrm''' was originally named '''Conjure Dragon''', and '''Plot Armor''' was originally named '''Defend and Fight!'''. These abilities were renamed based on user feedback. ''[[wikipedia:Germanic_dragon|Wyrm]]'' is an Old English word for "serpent" or "dragon" in Germanic folklore.
* The book used in Bookwyrm uses textures from TF2's [https://wiki.teamfortress.com/wiki/Bombinomicon_(character) Bombinomicon.]

== References ==
<references />
== Navigation ==
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