Yamato (real name Kaori) is a Hero in Deadlock. She is a close-range assassin using precise strikes and sword attacks to destroy her foes. Conducting a Flying Strike with her grapple to get close, Yamato unleashes her powerful melee attacks along with Power Slash and Crimson Slash attacks to damage, slow, and disable her enemies while healing herself. Once fully engaged, she can unleash her Shadow Transformation to become infused with her brother's shadow soul, becoming unstoppable for a short time while ending the life of her opponents.
Kaori and her brother were crime lords of the Seventh Moon, bringing in wealth and power to the organization. However, a dispute during expansion led to the death of Kaori's brother and her escape to the United States. A miscommunication once she arrived led to Kaori adopting her brother's name, Yamato, vowing to secure her brother's dream of international presence.
Channel to increase damage over 1.4 seconds, then release a fully-charged sword strike. Press Ability 1 or Fire to trigger the strike early, dealing partial damage.
x1.85
145
Full Charge Damage
22m
Slash Length
0%Move Speed
0sSlow Duration
60%Bullet Resist
1
+40% Movement Slow for 3s
2
-4s Ability Cooldown
5
+8m Cast Range +150 Damage and Increases Spirit Power scaling
Flying Slash
26m
0
36s
Throw a grappling hook to reel yourself towards an enemy, dealing Light melee damage and slowing the target when you arrive.
x1
55
Damage
-50%
Move Speed
2.5sSlow Duration
Upon reaching target:
0
Bonus Spirit
Upon reaching target:
0s
Buff Duration
1
-18s Cooldown
2
Gain +35 Spirit Power for 6s
5
Alt-Cast to Grapple allies +15m Cast Range Gains 1 extra charge
Crimson Slash
13m
0
16s
Slash enemies in front of you, damaging them and slowing their fire rate. If any enemy heroes are hit, you heal.
x0.37
55
Damage
x1.04
55
Heal on hero hit
-30%
Fire Rate
4sDebuff Duration
1
On Hit : +30% Melee Damage for 4s
2
On Hero Hit : +6% Max Health Heal
5
-10s Cooldown and increases scaling
Shadow Transformation
1.5s
5s
0
150s
Become infused with Yamato's shadow soul. After an initial invincible transformation your abilities are refreshed and are 60% faster. You gain immunity to negative status effects and have greatly increased bullet and spirit resist. When you get a hero kill, you heal and the duration is extended.
Born to criminal royalty, Kaori and her brother Yamato always knew they were destined to run The 7th Moon after their father's passing. For years they ran the organization as equals; leading to profit, success, and plans for expansion to the United States.
The idea was simple. Kaori would stay in Japan and maintain things at home, while Yamato would travel to America to set up an international presence. Unfortunately for the siblings; this plan didn't sit well with some of their more insecure underlings, who bristled at the idea of being led by Kaori in Japan.
The coup was swift and violent. Yamato gave his life protecting Kaori, but in doing so ensured that she and a handful of loyalists were able to escape Japan for America.
When she arrived stateside, the contact her brother was supposed to meet greeted her and her retinue. Unfamiliar with the gender of Japanese names, the man addressed her as Yamato. She thought to correct him, but decided that the best way to keep her brother's memory alive was to take his name and live out his dream.
— A FATE'S TALE
Lore
Yamato's wish in the ritual is to make the Seventh Moon powerful enough to take over New York.[1][2] She also hopes to solidify her brother's legacy, as she is still grieving his death.[3][4]
Yamato predominantly speaks Japanese, although she also knows how to speak English.
Yamato is the ruthless leader of the Seventh Moon, and leads the organization by example.[5][6] She once murdered someone for owing the Seventh Moon a "C-Note" ($100).[7] She often attempts to threaten her teammates to get them to obey her.[8][9][10]
The sword Yamato uses is an ancient heirloom.[11] She inherited it when her predecessor died, and someone else will inherit it when she dies.[12]
Yamato views Wraith as her main hurdle towards conquering New York.[20] She hopes to take over Wraith's business.[21] While on the same team, Yamato intends to betray Wraith later.[22]
Yamato wants to turn Mo into a coat and Krill into a hat.[27]
Yamato likes Paige, likening her to a "puppy that pisses on the rug: stupid, yet strangely endearing".[28][29]
Yamato thanks Ivy for taking care of Mendoza.[30] However, she also undermines Ivy's skill and says she wants to take over Spanish Harlem for the Seventh Moon.[31][32]
Haze is keeping an eye on Yamato in-case the Seventh Moon becomes big enough to be a cartel. She hasn't been ordered to assassinate Yamato yet.[36][37]
Pocket thinks Yamato would get along with their mother.[38]
Yamato's current model is inherited from her original design in Neon Prime.
Yoshi has shared early concept art of Yamato's upcoming redesign.[49]
An image of Yamato's work-in-progress model redesign was leaked on October 2025.
A work-in-progress Yamato face texture was added to the files in the Old Gods, New Blood update. This texture has a natural skin tone, normal head proportions, and a small scar on her upper lip.
In Neon Prime, Yamato had children.[50][51][52] Her father is also mentioned, and it is believed that he was the character Ghost/Spectre, who became Lady Geist.
A popular fan rumor is that Yamato in Neon Prime was an alien obsessed with Japanese culture. This rumor is incorrect, based on what is known about her character and faction from old voice lines and the Neon Prime lore document.
Yamato's weapon was originally called Celestial Dynasty.
Yamato and Haze are currently the only heroes whose Ammo is directly affected by Spirit Power.
Yamato has a higher melee damage than every other hero, with the exception of Pocket's light melee.
Yamato's original voice actor wasn't a native Japanese speaker. This was changed after she was recast in the 2024-10-10 Update. Developer Kaori has confirmed that her voice actor is not Alpha Takahashi.[53]
Yamato's background was originally available in English in an earlier build, before being translated to Japanese.
"Reminiscing in the Hideout" is displayed as one's status in the in-game Friends List when playing as Yamato in the Hideout.
References
↑Yamato's in-game voice line (Select): "New York will fall into the hands of the Seventh Moon."
↑Hidden King's in-game voice line (Yamato Start): "This is not your city, Yamato, but after you summon the Hidden King... it will be."
↑Archmother's in-game voice line (Yamato Start): "You have overcome grief and betrayal to stand here today. But you seek to do more than just survive. Complete the ritual."
↑ 4.04.1Hidden King's in-game voice line (Yamato Start): "Kaori, you honor your brother by taking his name, and honor him further still by making his dreams a reality. Complete the ritual, and see the success you both dreamed of."
↑Yamato's in-game voice line (Select): "I will lead my team to victory!"
↑Yamato's in-game voice line (Select): "Follow me! I'll lead you to victory."
↑Vyper's in-game voice line (Select) - "I know a guy who owed the Seventh Moon a C-note... well, I knew a guy who owed the Seventh Moon a C-Note... Yamato murdered the shit out of him."
↑Yamato And Haze Conversation 2 - "We're going to win today, Yamato, and when we do, you'll use the Patrons to make the Seventh Moon strong. But know this: we're watching you." - "I don't care." - "If you step out of line, you will."
↑Pocket's in-game voice line - "She would get along with my mother."
↑Lash's in-game voice line (Killed Yamato): "Oh, that sword is gonna look so good over my fireplace!"
↑Paradox's in-game voice line (Killed Yamato): "I can't wait to steal that sword!"
↑Vyper's in-game voice line (Killed Yamato): "Aw, I can't wait to use that sword to cut a Reuben."
↑The Doorman's in-game voice line (taunt Yamato): "Just give up Kaori. Sorry, I forgot it’s “Yamato” now."
↑Rem's in-game voice line (Naptime taunt) - "I like your brother too, Kaori."
↑2024-08-10 - Yoshi; Deadlock Discord - "Regarding yamato question, can share some of the early concepts we have, none are final or anything, just exploration level (...) early concepts for new direction i mean"
↑Kelvin's in-game voice line - "You don't want your children to get sucked into this, Yamato."
↑Kelvin's in-game voice line - "This can't be the life you want for your family, Yamato."
↑Chrono's in-game voice line - "Her dad's scary, she's scary, and I bet her kids wear matching outfits."
↑2025-08-17 - Kaori; Deadlock Discord - "it's not [Alpha]"
Power Slash
12s
x1.85
145
22m
60%
Bullet Resist
1
