AbramsOpportunity · Lane
Watch for
He needs close range and useful wall angles to pressure you.
Do this
Keep ranged shots from cover, trap an approach and move early when he begins closing; avoid fighting beside an easy pin.
How to play
How to play Grey Talon in Deadlock
How to play Grey Talon in Deadlock
DifficultyModerate
WeaponBow
RoleSpirit Carry · Gun Carry
Quick answer
- Your job
- Play behind your teammates and use Charged Shot to damage enemies from long range. Let close-range allies draw attention while you take clear shots and help finish the fight.
- Positioning
- Choose a position behind your teammates with a clear view of the enemy and nearby cover.
- How to win fights
- Look for targets distracted by teammates, moving through a narrow route, or held still by an ally.
- When you’re in trouble
- Retreat towards teammates and use your trap to make pursuit harder.
Strong at
- Long-range damageCharged Shot contributes from behind close-range teammates.
- Follow-up attacksAllied control or distraction creates clearer shot opportunities.
- Remote assistanceGuided Owl can influence a fight away from his position.
Weak to
- Close attackersAn enemy reaching him disrupts his preferred fighting distance.
- Blocked sightlinesCover can deny shots and force him to reposition.
- Aiming exposureShot or owl focus can distract from nearby threats.
How to play Grey Talon
The full version of the quick answer.
Your goal
Play behind your teammates and use Charged Shot to damage enemies from long range. Let close-range allies draw attention while you take clear shots and help finish the fight.
Positioning
Choose a position behind your teammates with a clear view of the enemy and nearby cover. High ground can improve your angle, but keep a route back towards allied protection. Move when enemies begin approaching your position, rather than waiting until they are beside you.
How to fight
- Look for targets distracted by teammates, moving through a narrow route, or held still by an ally. These are easier Charged Shot opportunities than someone freely dodging. Keep using your bow between abilities when you can safely land useful shots.
- Place Spirit Snare on a route an enemy could use to reach you or escape the fight. Flight can open a firing angle, but enemies can still shoot you. Move into cover before steering Guided Owl, then aim to help an ongoing fight or finish a wounded escape.
When an enemy threatens you
Retreat towards teammates and use your trap to make pursuit harder. Avoid standing your ground alone against a close attacker, or continuing to steer an owl while your own hero is in danger.
Grey Talon Items & Ability Order
Popular Grey Talon Items
See which items Grey Talon players purchase during each game stage, with a breakdown for his ranged damage and cleanup-focused role.
0–9 min
Mystic Burst82%
Extra Charge74%
High-Velocity Rounds59%
Extra Spirit52%
9–20 min
Tankbuster55%
Improved Spirit53%
Rapid Recharge49%
Compress Cooldown48%
20–30 min
Boundless Spirit51%- Rapid Recharge34%
Superior Cooldown33%- Tankbuster32%
30+ min
Spirit Burn28%
Mystic Reverb24%
Transcendent Cooldown16%- Boundless Spirit14%
Grey Talon Ability Order
Explore popular Grey Talon ability paths and how players develop ranged pressure, control and finishing opportunities through their opening points.
| Ability point | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Charged Shot | 1 | 2 | – | – | 5 | – | – | – | 9 | – |
 Rain of Arrows | – | – | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
 Spirit Snare | – | – | – | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
 Guided Owl | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 7 | 8 | – | 10 |
| Ability point | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charged Shot | 1 | 2 | – | – | 5 | – | – | – | – | 10 |
| Rain of Arrows | – | – | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Spirit Snare | – | – | – | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Guided Owl | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | – |
| Ability point | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charged Shot | – | – | 3 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10 |
| Rain of Arrows | 1 | 2 | – | – | 5 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Spirit Snare | – | – | – | 4 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Guided Owl | – | – | – | – | – | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | – |
Grey Talon game plan
Timings are approximate. When teams start grouping and pushing objectives, use the next phase’s advice.
Early game
~0–10 minCollect trooper souls from cover and aim Charged Shot when enemies step forward or pause to fire. Avoid walking closer just to force a hit.
Mid game
~10–25 minSupport nearby fights from behind allies while collecting waves and safe camps between opportunities. Set traps on likely approaches to your firing position.
Late game
~25+ minChoose a protected sightline on the main fight. Use Guided Owl from cover for a useful follow-up, and reposition early when enemies approach.
Tips
Good to know
- You can mantle and slide while holding a charged arrow — keep repositioning instead of standing still.
- Shoot your own Spirit Snare with Charged Shot to trigger the curse early instead of waiting for it to arm.
- Owl kills grant bonus spirit power, so save the ultimate for guaranteed finishes rather than opening with it.
Avoid these mistakes
- An enemy reaching your firing position.
- Steering Guided Owl while your own hero is exposed.
If you’re struggling
Use ranged damage and trap protection near allies rather than hunting distant finishes alone.
One useful tip
Take cover before steering Guided Owl; your own hero still needs protection while you control it.
Matchups to watch
Heroes that change how you play Grey Talon. Situational adjustments, not rankings.
LashThreat · Teamfights
Watch for
He can approach from height, so a rooftop is not automatic safety.
Do this
Watch above the fight and preserve a route towards allies; relocate before his landing reaches your firing position.
WraithThreat · Mid-game skirmishes
Watch for
An isolated shooting position gives her a catch-and-gun opportunity.
Do this
Avoid remaining alone on a predictable angle; move towards allied protection when she disappears from your view.
