McGinnis →Grouped McGinnis turrets need an area-clear answer
Use Alchemical Fire from a safe angle on grouped turrets.
Its area damage can clear several parts of the setup while denying the ground McGinnis wants to hold.
Alchemical FireAlchemical Fire Counter Guide
Alchemical Fire helps dismantle the space an enemy team wants to fight from. Its area damage is especially useful against clustered summons: clear the setup first, then take the fight on ground that favors you.
How to Use Alchemical Fire
Who should buy Alchemical Fire?
Players who need an area answer to a built-up enemy position, especially grouped summons.
When to activate or apply it
Use the area damage where it can remove several turrets or deny a route the enemy wants to hold. Clear the setup before committing the main fight.
Against McGinnis: Use Alchemical Fire from a safe angle on grouped turrets. Its area damage can clear several parts of the setup while denying the ground McGinnis wants to hold.
Watch out for
An area-clear purchase still needs a safe angle. Do not stand inside the enemy setup just because you can damage it.
When to Buy Alchemical Fire in Deadlock
Buy it when grouped turrets or summons keep blocking your team's approach. Prioritize it before the next push into that setup, rather than after you have already committed inside it.
Average purchase: 20.5 minutes
Game-stage ranges are approximate, and average purchase times are a guide rather than a deadline. Buy sooner when this item would change your next fight.
Purchase timing data & context
| Stage | Average purchase |
|---|---|
| Early game · 0–10 min | Not available |
| Mid game · 10–20 min | 17.6 min |
| Late game · 20+ min | 22.7 min |
Best Against
Grouped turrets and enemies holding a small area; McGinnis is the named turret matchup.
McGinnis →These hero guides recommend Alchemical Fire. Check the individual matchup for the build, situation, and timing.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Monster Rounds
Monster Rounds helps you clear minions and summons before they take control of your lane or a fight. Against enemy setup, removing the extra targets first can be more effective than trying to damage the hero while every summon is still active.
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Cultist Sacrifice
Cultist Sacrifice turns enemy setup into an opportunity. Building on Monster Rounds, it improves NPC pressure and can consume eligible summons for souls and a lasting buff, making it particularly useful when McGinnis keeps building turret positions.
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Ricochet
Ricochet spreads weapon pressure to nearby targets, helping gun builds handle clustered enemies and summons. Its counter value grows when an enemy setup gives you several useful targets to hit from one safe angle, rather than a single isolated opponent.
Compare this option →