Graves · Ability 3
Essence Theft
Updated ·Refreshed daily from public match data·Methodology
HeroGraves →What does Essence Theft do in Deadlock?
Essence Theft is Graves's ability 3 with 4s duration, 25% max weapon damage stolen, 4s time for max damage. Your weapon steals weapon damage and spirit resist over time, up to a maximum amount per target.
Upgrades: 1 AP — +5% Max Spirit Resist Stolen; 2 AP — +20% Max Weapon Damage Stolen; 5 AP — +1 Max Steal Targets All Summons now apply Essence Theft.
In the most played Graves skill order (65.5% win rate over 8.2K games), Essence Theft takes its first point at step 4 and gets 2 of the first 12 points, so it is not a max priority.
Full numbers below; for items and lane matchups see the Graves build, or compare cooldowns on the all-abilities table.
Base values, before items
Essence Theft stats
Duration
4s
Max Weapon Damage Stolen
25%
Time for Max Damage
4s
Time Between Hits
0.15s
Max Spirit Resist Stolen
10%
Max Steal Targets
3
Ability points
Essence Theft upgrades
- 1 AP
+5% Max Spirit Resist Stolen
- 2 AP
+20% Max Weapon Damage Stolen
- 5 AP
+1 Max Steal Targets All Summons now apply Essence Theft
+1 Max Steal Targets
Most played Graves skill order
When to level Essence Theft
In the most played Graves skill order (65.5% win rate over 8.2K games), Essence Theft takes its first point at step 4 and gets 2 of the first 12 points, so it is not a max priority.
Essence Theft patch history
Minor Update - 07-09-2026 · July 9, 2026
- – Essence Theft now procs from melee hits
- – Essence Theft T3 now also increases Max Steal Targets from 3 to 4
Gameplay Update - 03-06-2026 · March 6, 2026
- – Essence Theft T3 fixed to latch onto targets nearby more readily
Other Graves abilities
FAQ
What is the cooldown of Essence Theft?＋
Essence Theft has no fixed cooldown listed in the game data (it is a passive, toggle or charge-based ability).
What are the Essence Theft upgrades?＋
1 AP: +5% Max Spirit Resist Stolen 2 AP: +20% Max Weapon Damage Stolen 5 AP: +1 Max Steal Targets All Summons now apply Essence Theft
When should you level Essence Theft?＋
In the most played Graves skill order (65.5% win rate over 8.2K games), Essence Theft takes its first point at step 4 and gets 2 of the first 12 points, so it is not a max priority.
Which hero has Essence Theft?＋
Essence Theft is Graves's ability 3. Graves is a mystic whose other abilities are Jar of Dead, Grasping Hands, Borrowed Decree.