Valve's Deadlock Reveals 'The Doorman' with Portal-Inspired Abilities

Valve's highly anticipated hero shooter-MOBA hybrid, Deadlock, continues to generate buzz with the recent unveiling of new playable characters. Among these fresh additions, 'The Doorman' stands out, primarily due to an intriguing ability that draws clear inspiration from Valve's critically acclaimed Portal franchise. This reveal marks a significant moment for the game, showcasing its innovative approach to character mechanics within the burgeoning genre. The ongoing introduction of these unique heroes suggests a commitment to diverse gameplay experiences and strategic depth.

Introduced to the game on August 22, The Doorman is a formidable character whose toolkit revolves around utilizing various travel-related objects: bells, luggage carts, and, most notably, doorways. His signature 'Doorway' ability allows players to create two linked portals, echoing the iconic mechanic from the Portal series. Both players and most projectiles can seamlessly pass through these connected openings, offering unprecedented mobility and tactical advantages on the battlefield. The visual design of these in-game portals, with their glowing surfaces and golden animations, pays homage to their Portal counterparts, solidifying the connection to Valve's rich legacy.

Beyond his portal-generating capabilities, The Doorman possesses an array of other potent skills. The 'Call Bell' ability functions as a projectile that delivers two bursts of spirit damage: one upon initial impact and a subsequent delayed explosion. This second burst also inflicts a debilitating debuff, reducing enemy weapon accuracy and movement speed. Additionally, 'Luggage Cart' allows The Doorman to charge forward, dealing spirit damage and dragging opponents with him. If the cart collides with a wall, affected enemies are stunned, creating opportunities for follow-up attacks or strategic repositioning.

The Doorman's ultimate ability, 'Hotel Guest,' introduces a unique crowd-control mechanic. This skill teleports targeted opponents to the 'Baroness Hotel,' a temporary pocket dimension. Within this confined space, adversaries must navigate a brief platforming challenge while simultaneously taking spirit damage. Their only escape is to swiftly reach the hotel's exit elevator, which returns them to their original location. This ability adds a layer of unpredictable disruption to engagements, forcing enemies to divert their attention and resources to escape The Doorman's spectral hotel.

Players eager to experience The Doorman's distinct abilities, alongside other recently introduced heroes like Mina and Billy, can do so within the ongoing closed beta. Valve is systematically rolling out new characters every two days, providing players with fresh content and evolving meta-game strategies. Access to the Deadlock closed beta is currently exclusive, requiring an invitation from an existing player. For those without direct connections, a dedicated community megathread on Reddit serves as a valuable resource for requesting beta access from other participants, fostering a collaborative environment for players seeking to join the action.

The continuous reveal of inventive characters like The Doorman underlines Valve's commitment to delivering a fresh and engaging experience in Deadlock. The integration of mechanics inspired by their established franchises, such as Portal, not only adds a layer of familiarity but also demonstrates a willingness to innovate within the hero shooter and MOBA genres.