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{{HeroTabs}}
{{Infobox hero
| key = hero_warden
| voice_actor = Rick D. Wasserman
| release_date = April 16, 2024
| codenames = Murphy
| no_bullet_resist = true
| no_spirit_resist = true
| no_sprint = true
| bullets_per_sec = {{#invoke:HeroData|get_hero_var|hero_warden|RoundsPerSecond|3}}{{#invoke:HeroData|get_hero_scalar|{{#var:hero_key_or_en}}|Spirit|RoundsPerSecond}}
}}

'''Warden''' is a [[Hero]] in ''[[Deadlock]]''. He is a tough, tenacious brawler with a technique for alchemy and fighting the supernatural. Opening fights with either a Binding Word or a disrupting Alchemical Flask, Warden dashes into the fight to brawl at close range and utilizing his Willpower for protection and staying power. In desperate situations, Warden can trigger his Last Stand, damaging and stealing life from all foes in front of him.

The descendant of a long line of militant alchemists, Warden's ancestors once trained vigorously for the day they would have to stave off a mystic apocalypse. But as time passed, the meaning behind the training was lost, causing Warden's parents to be unprepared for the first [[maelstrom]]. With the apocalypse on the horizon, Warden was trained since birth, forged into a weapon built specifically towards stopping the [[Patron|Patrons]] from ever entering our world, no matter the cost.

== Abilities ==
<tabber>
|-|(1) Alchemical Flask=
{{Ability card v2
| hero_name=Warden
| ability_num=1
}}

|-|(2) Willpower=
{{Ability card v2
| hero_name=Warden
| ability_num=2
}}

|-|(3) Binding Word=
{{Ability card v2
| hero_name=Warden
| ability_num=3
}}

|-|(4) Last Stand=
{{Ability card v2
| hero_name=Warden
| ability_num=4
| notes=
* Deals 50% damage to objectives.
}}
</tabber>

== Weapon ==
{{WeaponCard|key=hero_warden}}

== Update history ==
{{Main|Warden/Update history|l1=Update history}}
{{Update history}}

== Background ==
{{Fates_Tale|warden}}

=== Lore ===
Warden hides his true motives from the [[Patron|Patrons]], despite their telepathic abilities.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Amber Hand|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_01.mp3|transcription=Warden, you are inscrutable.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Amber Hand|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_03.mp3|transcription=Warden, how long do you think you can hide your heart from me?}}</ref> As such, the Patrons likely don't know that Warden is working against their goals. He also seems to hide his motivations from his allies, based on his conversation with [[Holliday]].<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Holliday|number=1|hero_quote1=Holliday|quote1=What are you fighting for?|hero_quote2=Holliday|quote2=That's alarmingly vague.}}</ref> 

How Warden intends to stop the Patrons is currently unknown. Warden expresses that he "only gets one shot at this"<ref>Warden's in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (unselect) - ''"I only get one shot at this... And I'm not ready to take it."''</ref>, and is willing to die if it means completing his mission.<ref>Warden's in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Select|voice line]] (select) - ''"If I die, so be it."''</ref>

Although Warden is committed to protecting humanity at all costs, he does not discriminate against supernatural creatures. He treats characters like [[Abrams]] and [[Ivy]] with respect, while showing clear contempt for certain humans like [[Lash]] and [[Paradox]].<ref>{{HeroIcon|Warden}}'s [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|Kill Quotes]]</ref>

Warden has no hobbies outside of his training.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (Unselect): ''"I'll return to my training."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Abrams}}' in-game [[Abrams/Quotes#Enemy|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"You really need a new hobby, Warden."''</ref><ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Haze|hero2=Warden|number=1|hero_quote1=Haze|quote1=You definitely look like someone who needs to have a hobby outside of shooting a gun.}}</ref> He's said to be a vigilante,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Haze}}'s in-game [[Haze/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"Vigilantes are just criminals with delusions of grandeur."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Shopkeeper#Hero-Specific voice lines|voice line]]: ''"I’m not one to judge the line between vigilante and civil servant."''</ref> although street-level characters (such as [[Ivy]], [[Vyper]] and [[Wraith]]) don't recognise or acknowledge him as such. Warden mentions that New York is under his protection.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Yamato): ''"This city is under my protection, Yamato!"''</ref>

It's implied that Warden's militant alchemist bloodline comes from his father's side.<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"A failure, just like your father."''</ref>

== Character interactions ==

* Warden's allies consistently describe him as "fearless".<ref>{{HeroIcon|Warden}}'s [[Warden/Quotes#Ally Heroes|allied hero interactions.]]</ref> Warden's enemies often show pity towards him.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s [[Warden/Quotes#Enemy Heroes|enemy hero interactions]]</ref>
* Warden respects noble characters like {{PageRef|name=Abrams}}, {{PageRef|name=Ivy}} and {{PageRef|name=Mirage}}.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Abrams): ''"You fought well, Abrams."''</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill tengu 01.mp3|context=(killed Ivy)|transcription=She was a noble creature.}}</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Mirage): ''"I respect the man's conviction."''</ref>
* Warden is sympathetic towards {{PageRef|name=Holliday}}, {{PageRef|name=Pocket}} and {{HeroIcon|Vindicta}}.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Holliday): ''"Forgive me, Sheriff."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Pocket): ''"I believe you want to change the world for the better, Pocket... But you picked the wrong friends."''</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill hornet 02.mp3|context=(killed Vindicta)|transcription=Your vengeance is justified, Vindicta, but your time has long since past.}}</ref>
* Warden says he looked up to {{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} and apologizes for killing him.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill orion 02.mp3|context=(killed Grey Talon)|transcription=I looked up to you once.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill orion 01.mp3|context=(killed Grey Talon)|transcription=Don't make me do this, Talon.}}</ref>
* Warden shows righteous anger towards {{PageRef|name=Seven}} and {{PageRef|name=Wrecker}}.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Seven): ''"You're a monster, Seven, and I won't let your sins go unpunished."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies - Deadlock|voice line]] (Killed Wrecker): ''"Die, monster!"''</ref>
* {{HeroIcon|Abrams}} is freaked out by Warden's cape (in his upcoming redesign).<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Abrams|file=Abrams kill warden 05.mp3|transcription=That cape kinda freaks me out.}}</ref>
* {{HeroIcon|Dynamo}} and {{HeroIcon|Lady Geist}} tell Warden that he looks "dour".<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Dynamo|number=1|hero_quote1=Dynamo|quote1=You seem impressively dour.}}</ref> Lady Geist also describes him as "perpetually miserable".<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Lady Geist|number=2|hero_quote1=Lady Geist|quote1=You're a rather dour bastard, aren't you?|hero_quote2=Lady Geist|quote2=Boring people may say that I'm aloof, but at least I know how to have a good time. But you... you just look... perpetually miserable.}}</ref>
* {{HeroIcon|Holliday}} says that Warden looks like he's wearing a Halloween costume and calls him a "creepy homeschooled kid".<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Holliday|number=2}}</ref>
* {{HeroIcon|Lash}} refers to Warden as "creepy" and "vomitus".<ref>[[Lash/Quotes#Removed/Unused Voice Lines|Unused/Removed Lash Quotes]]</ref> He also calls Warden a "scary son of a bitch".<ref>{{PageRef|name=Lash}}'s in-game [[Lash/Quotes#Allies|voice line]] (Pass Warden on Zipline): ''"There goes one scary son of a bitch..."''</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Billy}},<ref>{{PageRef|name=Billy}}'s in-game [[Billy/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"Look who's gonna do whatever mommy and daddy tells him to do."''</ref> {{HeroIcon|Calico}},<ref>{{HeroIcon|Calico}}'s in-game [[Calico/Quotes#Enemy Heroes|voice line]] - ''"Warden, one day you'll understand the cost of blind loyalty."''</ref> {{HeroIcon|Pocket}}<ref>{{HeroIcon|Pocket}}'s in-game [[Pocket/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] - ''"Stop living your parent's life and lead your own!"''</ref> and {{HeroIcon|Mirage}}<ref>{{HeroIcon|Mirage}}'s in-game [[Mirage/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] - ''"Blind devotion isn't loyalty, it's ignorance."''</ref> call Warden out for his blind devotion to his parents' mission.
* {{PageRef|name=Viscous}} and {{PageRef|name=Vyper}} think Warden "needs to smile more".<ref>{{PageRef|name=Viscous}}'s in-game [[Viscous/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden) - ''"Warden needs to smile more."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Vyper}}'s in-game [[Vyper/Quotes#Allied Heroes|voice line]] (pass Warden on zipline) ''- "Y'know, that guy needs to smile more".''</ref>
* Like the [[Patron]], {{PageRef|name=The Doorman}} is also unable to find out exactly what Warden wants, even when Warden is trapped in the [[Baroness Hotel]].<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"What do you want, Warden?"''</ref> He seems familiar with Warden's parents and derides them as failures.<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"You’re not a man, you’re a war doll, fixing mommy and daddy’s failures."''</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Grey Talon}} respects Warden's conviction,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Grey Talon}}'s in-game [[Grey Talon/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"I appreciate your conviction, Warden."''</ref> but tells him that they both live hollow lives.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Grey Talon|number=2|hero_quote1=Grey Talon|quote1=Warden... We're the ones with hollow lives.}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Warden card.png|Warden portrait
File:Warden MM.png|Warden icon
File:Warden Render.png|Warden in-game render
File:Warden name.png|Warden name typography
File:Warden card old.png|Previous Warden portrait
File:Warden icon old.png|Previous Warden icon
File:Warden winter.jpg|Warden 2024 [[Seasonal events#Winter|Winter skin]]
File:Warden Reference Sheet.png|Warden reference sheet
File:Warden Weapon.png|Warden weapon - Freedom's Cost
File:Warden concept.jpg|Warden concept art
</gallery>

== Trivia ==
* Warden was named '''Murphy''' in [[Neon Prime|''Neon Prime'']]. This name was reused for the new character of [[Minor characters|Captain Murphy]] in [[Holliday]]'s [[Visual novels|visual novel]].
* Warden's current model uses a modified version of [[Lash|Lash's]] head model. This is referenced in a [[:File:Warden kill bebop 03.mp3|line]] where Warden asks "Do I look like Lash?"
* Warden is currently one of two heroes whose Bullets per sec is directly affected by Spirit Power, the other being [[Vindicta]].
* Despite his appearance, Warden is not a police officer. A concept sketch for Warden's upcoming redesign can be seen in one of [[Yamato|Yamato's]] concept artwork released by [[Yoshi]].<ref>2024-08-11 - [[Yoshi]], Deadlock Discord - ''"[That sketch is] one of a few experimental concepts for warden."''[https://discord.com/channels/1231286446472691825/1231286447131328544/1272231665275768862]</ref> The [[Shopkeep |Shopkeeper]] may ask Warden if he would be interested in selling his cape, despite Warden's current model not having one.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Shopkeeper|voice line]] (Warden buys T4 Item): ''"You ever wanna pawn that cape or gun of yours, you let me know."''</ref> The [[Newscaster]] voice line for Warden's [[Seasonal events|Winter]] skin challenge also makes a reference to his upcoming redesign, asking "What will he look like next?"<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=Newscaster seasonal warden unlock 01 alt 01.mp3|transcription=Once, Warden was dressed as a cop. Now he's dressed as a cop with a Santa hat. What will he look like next? The New York Oracle digs into this ever-evolving and seemingly unending mystery!}}</ref>
* "Training in the Hideout " is displayed as one's status in the in-game Friends List when playing as Warden in the [[Hideout]].

== References ==
<references />
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