Deadlock’s upcoming *Old Gods, New Blood* expansion isn’t just adding six new characters—it’s letting the community decide their release order. And the first to arrive is Rem, a diminutive but potentially game-breaking support hero whose kit blends crowd control, healing, and minion farming in ways that could force teams to rethink their strategies.
Unlike the flashier options—such as a unicorn-themed mage or a werewolf bruiser—the player base overwhelmingly favored Rem, an accidental stowaway from the dream world. His abilities suggest a character built to dominate late-game objectives, where his ultimate, *Naptime*, can cripple enemy mobility across entire maps. The question now isn’t whether Rem will be strong—it’s how developers will adjust the game to counter his disruptive potential.
A Support That Scales Too Well
Rem isn’t just another healer. His primary tool, *Pillow Toss*, doesn’t just deal damage—it slows foes and resets his own cooldowns on impact, creating a feedback loop that rewards aggressive play. Pair that with *Tag Along*, a healing ability that restores health to both himself and an ally based on nap duration, and the mechanics encourage prolonged engagement near teammates. At full cooldown efficiency, this could turn Rem into an unkillable late-game anchor—especially when combined with his *Lil Helpers*, which summon disposable minions to farm resources or buff allies with damage resistance and speed boosts.
- Pillow Toss: 75 base damage, -45% move speed, and cooldown reduction on landing.
- Tag Along: Instant 15% HP restore within 23m, or 28 HP/sec while napping (40s cooldown).
- Lil Helpers: Minions grant +15% spirit resist or +35 damage/resist +14 HP/sec to allies.
- Naptime (Ultimate): 120 damage + 100 sleep damage in a 24m radius, disabling movement abilities through walls.
The ultimate, in particular, could redefine how *Deadlock*’s late stages play out. A well-timed *Naptime* doesn’t just slow enemies—it erases their ability to dash or reposition, making it a high-risk, high-reward tool for securing objectives. The fact that it works through walls adds another layer of unpredictability, forcing opponents to either engage or risk being locked down.
Industry Implications: A Test Case for Community-Driven Development
Deadlock’s approach—letting players vote on character releases—is a gamble. Most MOBAs rely on developer-paced balance patches, but handing the community this level of control could set a precedent. If Rem proves too dominant, it might force Valve to accelerate future adjustments, or even reconsider how much creative freedom to grant players in subsequent updates.
For now, the focus is on whether Rem’s kit will scale as aggressively as feared. His minion farming could make him a late-game powerhouse, while his healing and mobility tools reduce the risk of being eliminated. The concern isn’t just his strength—it’s whether the game’s design can adapt without breaking the meta entirely.
One thing is certain: Rem’s arrival signals that *Deadlock*’s developers are willing to experiment with player-driven content. Whether this becomes a template for future updates—or a cautionary tale about letting the community dictate balance—remains to be seen.
- Rem is the first of six new characters in *Deadlock*’s *Old Gods, New Blood* expansion, chosen by player vote.
- His kit includes a knockback projectile (*Pillow Toss*), a healing nap mechanic (*Tag Along*), disposable minions (*Lil Helpers*), and a map-wide crowd-control ultimate (*Naptime*).
- Early concerns suggest he could dominate late-game play, particularly with his ability to disable enemy movement and farm resources.
- Valve’s community-driven release order may influence future balance patches and content rollouts.
With Rem now in the game, the real question is whether the developers will need to act fast—or if players are prepared for a support hero who might just rewrite the rules.
