Warden hides his true motives from the [[Patron|Patrons]], despite their telepathic abilities.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Hidden King|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_01.mp3|context=(Warden start)|transcription=Warden, you are inscrutable.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Hidden King|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_03.mp3|context=(Warden start)|transcription=Warden... how long do you think you can hide your heart from the Hidden King?}}</ref> As such, the Patrons likely don't know that Warden is working against their goals, although {{PageRef|name=The Archmother}} seems to know that Warden hates her.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Archmother}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Patrons|voice line]] (Warden start): ''"I know you hate the Archmother, Warden. But today, she is not your enemy. She is the path that will lead you to destroying the Hidden King once and for all!"''</ref> How Warden intends to stop the Patrons is currently unknown, although Warden expresses that he "only gets one shot at this",<ref>{{PageRef|name=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>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Select|voice line]] (select) - ''"If I die, so be it."''</ref> Warden views his battle with the Patrons as a war.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (unselect): ''"There will come a time for war, but not yet."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (kill Pocket): ''"This war isn't meant for you, Pocket."''</ref>
Warden is implied to have trouble trusting people.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Archmother}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Patrons|voice line]] (Warden start): ''"I know you don't trust easily, Warden, but your faith in the Archmother is not misplaced. Together, you can kill the Hidden King!"''</ref> He seems to hide his motivations from his allies, based on his conversation with {{PageRef|name=Holliday}}.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Holliday|number=1|hero_quote1=Holliday|quote1=What are you fighting for? (...) That's alarmingly vague.}}</ref>
Although Warden is committed to protecting humanity at all costs, he does not discriminate against supernatural creatures, instead treating characters like {{PageRef|name=Abrams}} and {{PageRef|name=Ivy}} with respect.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Abrams): ''"You fought well, Abrams."''</ref><ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill tengu 01.mp3|context=(killed Ivy)|transcription=She was a noble creature.}}</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> Due to training his entire life,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Killstreak|voice line]] (killstreak mid): ''"Don't feel bad. I've trained my whole life for this."''</ref> Warden never got to live a normal childhood.<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"I can't restore the childhood you were denied, but you can be happy here."''</ref> It's implied that he dreams of playing catch.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Rem}}'s in-game [[Rem/Quotes#Naptime Taunt|voice line]] (Naptime taunt): ''"Let's play catch, Warden..."''</ref>
Warden is 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 his feats are currently unknown. 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 name=":1">{{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 once looked up to {{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} and heavily respects 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> When on opposing teams, Warden is shocked that Talon would willingly work for the Patrons.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Grey Talon): ''"How can you, of all people, align yourself with that thing?"''</ref> While Grey Talon appreciates 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> he believes that both he and Warden 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>
* Warden respects {{PageRef|name=Ivy}},<ref name=":0" /> but he also believes she's "meddling in things she doesn't understand."<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Ivy): ''"You're meddling in things you don't understand, Ivy."''</ref>
* It's implied that Warden is miserable. The {{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}, {{PageRef|name=Viscous}} and {{PageRef|name=Vyper}} point out that Warden never smiles.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Shopkeeper|voice line]] (buy T4 item during Winter Update): ''"Smile, Warden, it's the holidays."''</ref><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> {{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> with Lady Geist also describing him as looking "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|Venator}} says that Warden fights as someone who wouldn't have chosen the life he has.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Venator|quotes=Venator/Quotes#Hero-Specific Voice Lines|context=(killed Warden)|transcription=I can tell by the way he fights that this isn't the life he would've chosen.}}</ref>
** An unfinished conversation with {{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} implies that, if Warden had a choice, he wouldn't have trained his whole life to fight the Patrons (Note that as Warden's own line is missing, it is uncertain if he accepts or denies it- Grey Talon merely expresses sorrow at his response).<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Grey Talon|number=1|hero_quote1=Grey Talon|quote1=Be honest with me... Is this the life you would have chosen for yourself? (...) I'm sorry.}}</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Holliday}} thinks Warden has issues and calls him a "creepy homeschooled kid".<ref>{{PageRef|name=Holliday}}'s in-game [[Holliday/Quotes#Allies|voice line]] (ally Warden Last Stand multikill): ''"That guy's got some issues, but I'm glad he's with us."''</ref><ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Holliday|hero2=Warden|number=2}}</ref> If they're on opposing teams, however, Holliday wishes that they were working together.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Holliday}}'s in-game [[Holliday/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden): ''"We could've worked together, Warden."''</ref>
* Like the {{PageRef|name=Patron|alt_name=Patrons}}, {{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 name=":1" /><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=Apollo}} respects Warden for his conviction and discipline.<ref name=":2">{{PageRef|name=Apollo}}'s in-game [[Apollo/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden): ''"The man had discipline and conviction… it's a shame he didn't fight for us."''</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.
Internal namesCodenames used for this hero in the game files:
Murphy
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 Patrons from ever entering our world, no matter the cost.
After charging for 2s, release pulses that damage enemies and heal you based on the damage done. While channeling Last Stand you have greatly increased bullet and spirit resist.
x1.3
70
DPS
75%
Hero Lifesteal
0m
Move Speed
0.5sPulse Interval
10%Non-Hero Lifesteal
50%Bullet Resist
50%Spirit Resist
1
4m Radius
2
+40.5 DPS -30s Cooldown
5
+4s Duration Unstoppable and +30% Resists while channeling
Healing amplified by Healing Booster and affected by healing reductionHealing triggers Healing Tempo's unique effect
Most people think the supernatural came into the world 50 years ago. They’re wrong. Its presence shaped folklore for generations… and as long as there have been people afraid of the shadows, there have been those who dedicated their lives to fighting in them.
Coming from a lineage of militant alchemists, Warden’s family always trained for the day they would have to stave off a mystic apocalypse… but as time passed the importance of the lessons seemed less and less important. What once was viewed as a sincere warning slowly morphed into being perceived as amusing anecdotes told by their superstitious grandparents.
When the portal opened in Central Park, Warden’s parents realized not only was everything they were told was true, they were unprepared. Refusing to let the next generation fall asleep on the job, Warden was trained since birth to be a supernatural killing machine with one purpose: stopping the Patrons from ever entering our world.
He may have been named after the protagonist of the 1987 movie Robocop, as Murphy was a robot peacekeeper in Neon Prime's sci-fi setting.
Despite his appearance, Warden is not a police officer. A concept sketch for Warden's upcoming redesign can be seen in one of Yamato's concept artwork released by Yoshi.[1] The Shopkeeper may ask Warden if he would be interested in selling his cape, despite Warden's current model not having one.[2] The Newscaster voice line for Warden's Winter skin challenge also makes a reference to his upcoming redesign, asking "What will he look like next?"[3]
Warden's backstory shares themes with Arc Warden from Dota 2, who similarly wants to stop the conflict between the Ancients at any cost.
"Training in the Hideout" is displayed as one's status in the in-game Friends List when playing as Warden in the Hideout.
Warden appears in a graffiti in the Counter-Strike 2 community map "Warden".[4]
References
↑2024-08-11 - Yoshi, Deadlock Discord - "[That sketch is] one of a few experimental concepts for warden."[1]
↑Shopkeeper's in-game voice line (Warden buys T4 Item): "You ever wanna pawn that cape or gun of yours, you let me know."
↑Newscaster's in-game voice line - "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!"
66 Damage Per Second
Alchemical Flask
5.5m
12s
x0.63
60
-20%
-25%
3s
Slow Duration
1
Willpower
5s
125
15%
Binding Word
15m
20m
Escape Range
Debuff duration reduced by Debuff Resist
Triggers Reactive Barrier
Effect can be dispelled
Disable prevented by Indomitable
CC effect suppressed by Unstoppable
Last Stand
75%
50%
Bullet Resist
50%
Spirit Resist
Healing amplified by Healing Booster and affected by healing reduction
Healing triggers Healing Tempo's unique effect
Warden portrait
Warden icon
Warden in-game render
Warden select background
Warden name typography
Previous Warden portrait
Previous Warden icon
Warden 2024 Winter skin
Warden reference sheet
Warden weapon - Freedom's Cost
Warden concept art
Gloat portrait for Warden.
Critical health portrait for Warden.
Shopkeeper's in-game voice line (Warden buys T4 Item): "You ever wanna pawn that cape or gun of yours, you let me know."
