Rat King →His large health pool takes too long to burn down
Use Siphon Bullets, Scourge, Toxic Bullets, Tank Buster, or Decay depending on your build.
Health-steal, percentage-health damage, and anti-heal all scale well into a high-HP Rat King.
Siphon BulletsSiphon Bullets Counter Guide
Siphon Bullets creates a temporary health swing through repeated weapon hits, stealing a percentage of the enemy's maximum health. Against a large-health target, sustained contact and a coordinated finish help convert that temporary advantage before the stolen health returns.
How to Use Siphon Bullets
Who should buy Siphon Bullets?
Weapon users who can sustain hits on a large-health target through an extended fight.
When to activate or apply it
Keep shooting during the useful health-swing window and coordinate the finish while the stolen health is still affecting the exchange.
Against Rat King: Use Siphon Bullets, Scourge, Toxic Bullets, Tank Buster, or Decay depending on your build. Health-steal, percentage-health damage, and anti-heal all scale well into a high-HP Rat King.
Watch out for
The stolen health returns when the debuff expires. Treat the advantage as temporary rather than assuming the health reduction is permanent.
When to Buy Siphon Bullets in Deadlock
Buy it when you can maintain weapon hits on a high-health opponent during longer fights. If their healing is the larger obstacle, make sure your team also has reliable anti-heal.
Average purchase: 30.3 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 | Not available |
| Late game · 20+ min | 30.3 min |
Best Against
High-max-health targets, with Rat King as the direct recommendation.
Rat King →These hero guides recommend Siphon Bullets. Check the individual matchup for the build, situation, and timing.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Tank Buster
Tank Buster helps damage remain useful against large health pools through percentage current-health damage that bypasses spirit resistance. It addresses durability, while healing and defensive casts may still require separate answers from you or your team.
Compare this option →
Scourge
Scourge pairs defensive resistance with a close-range aura that damages enemies based on maximum health. It suits heroes who can stay near a large-health target without losing the fight simply to maintain aura uptime.
Compare this option →
Toxic Bullets
Toxic Bullets gives weapon users anti-heal and percentage-health bleed after repeated shooting. It fits carries who can keep landing shots on a sustain target, with the application built before the enemy's important healing window.
Compare this option →