Summary
Highlights
Vanguard Deadpool focuses on controlling space, soaking pressure, and forcing enemies to make mistakes, rather than just chasing kills. His value comes from being hard to remove and impossible to ignore. Understanding this core philosophy is crucial for mastering his kit.
Deadpool has 500 health and two passives: 'Healing Factor' (out-of-combat health regeneration, boosted when taking significant damage) and 'Maximum Flare' (earns style points to charge his ultimate). His team-up ability, 'Comical Chaos', involves Jeff the Land Shark taunting enemies and healing allies.
Deadpool upgrades by accumulating XP. Downing an enemy allows him to take a 'selfie,' granting invincibility and a significant XP boost. Strategists should heal him during selfies as he takes no damage, resulting in a net health gain. Selfies become even more important for XP later in the game.
His ranged weapon, Dual Desert Eagles, is crucial for gaining style points. Upgrades increase magazine size, damage, and add a 'Deadpoo' projectile that deals splash damage and provides massive style points. Abilities tied to the deagles include 'Buddy Bounce' (double jump for repositioning or gaining style points by jumping on enemies) and 'Magical Unicorn Shield' (deployable shield for defense, blocking damage, and negating enemy ultimates).
This ability, usable in both forms, creates a cylindrical field that disrupts enemy vision, taunts them, and increases Deadpool's attack speed. Upgrading it provides 40% damage reduction for Deadpool and 20% for allies within the field, making it vital for both offensive pressure and defensive sustain.
Deadpool's melee form uses Katanas, which do less to generate style points but become more effective when upgraded with increased damage, attack speed, and critical hit potential. The 'Hazardous Hijinks' ability, exclusive to Katanas, is a sword dash that deals damage and can be refreshed multiple times. When upgraded, it gains two charges and causes Deadpool to bounce on impact, making 'Buddy Bounce' head hops easier for significant style point gains.
'Banhammer' (ranged ultimate) targets a single enemy, dealing damage for missed abilities and providing health to Deadpool. It's situational, best for key targets like strategists. 'The Big Test' (melee ultimate) is Deadpool's primary ultimate, granting bonus health, healing, and movement speed upon activation, with enhanced benefits for a period if a challenge (landing ability hits) is completed. Upgrading increases these benefits, making him even harder to remove.
This path prioritizes 'Hazardous Hijinks' first for early pressure and fast ultimate charge, followed by upgraded 'Dual Desert Eagles' for reliable ranged ultimate charge. The third upgrade is 'The Big Test', making his ultimate stronger, and then 'Deadpool in Your Area' for damage reduction. This path aims to create early power spikes and constant pressure, forcing enemy ultimates and engagements.
This path starts with 'Dual Desert Eagles' for reliable ranged alt charge from a safe distance, then 'Deadpool in Your Area' for significant damage reduction for both Deadpool and allies. 'Hazardous Hijinks' comes third for mobility and burst style generation for punishing overextensions. 'The Big Test' is fourth to enhance his ultimate for strong counter-engagements. This path focuses on holding space, peeling for allies, and surviving under pressure, making him very consistent defensively.
Vanguard Deadpool's strength lies in applying pressure and being hard to remove. Understanding when and why to use abilities and choose specific upgrade paths based on team needs and game situations is key. Experimenting with both aggressive and defensive strategies will allow players to master his kit, transforming him from a chaotic character into a deliberate and impactful force on the battlefield.