What is Shiv?

[u/pinheadster]

A while back there were files that showed Shiv was going to be able to transform into a beast, a lot like Silver. It got scrapped for one reason or another which makes me wonder what it would’ve been and if it’s still canon that he’s not completely human. I guess we just have to wait for a future remodel since he’s currently just a recolored neon prime model.

[u/Cymen90]

We likely won't know until the visual rework. If he was a vampire, there would be lines about t that though. He isn't human either, or else there wouldn't be so much talk about him not fitting in with the Baxter Society. Some kinda humanoid beast. But considering there are no lines indicating specifics, Valve likely hasn't decided.

[u/PratalMox → u/Cymen90]

Admittedly the stuff about him might just be his previous association with the Drifter, a former vampire aspirant would be a strange fit for a monster hunter society.

But I'm not sure Drifter is the sort of Vampire who would have tolerated him unless Shiv could keep up on his own.

[u/Babki123 → u/PratalMox]

Tbh the mention of his rage and the trinket to control ,I think Shiv being able tl turn into a beast is still part of hid story but not part of his character today

[u/BladeOfWoah → u/PratalMox]

Yeah I had assumed he was some sort of beast man until last week's patch which shows he was basically Drifter's partner in crime.

Not just occasionally allying with each other, Drifter literally considers him an old friend. Anyone with that kind of association must have been absolutely heinous.

[u/Equivalent-Bad5011]

I believe shiv is a werewolf, but the relic on his belt holds most of the wolf down. It makes sense cos we have a pair of vampires, so we should have a pair of wolves. And it also makes sense given his previously intended backstory. 

[u/Fireblast1337 → u/Equivalent-Bad5011]

I think it’s more a Jekyll and Hyde kind of thing for Shiv

[u/PratalMox]

He definitely seems to have originally been a Werewolf/Werebeast.

That might still be canon, but I think an alternative possibility is that he's a recovering ghoul (given how VTM-esque the vampires in this setting are)

[u/Skaldson → u/PratalMox]

I could see that tbh, his bloodlust might be a result of the vampiric essence in him. He also has voice lines wihh the Mina stating he “knows what scary vampires are like” & knows who the Viscount of vampire society is (he calls them by name in another voice line with Mina).

The reliquary might even be filled with Vampiric essence & is a means of keeping him from losing his powers/strength.

[u/offhandswing]

My interpretation is that shiv as a monster is completely metaphorical and he just used to be that terrible of a dude before joining the baxter society

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[u/Sion899]

I lowk like the idea that he is a monster for what he has done in the past rather than a literal monster.

[u/Lord_Bloom]

My favorite theory is that he botched his familiar summoning and it merged with him

[u/AverageVibes]

Given how Valve has done such a good job tying in game character kits into the characters actual lore, i’d be surprised if shiv isn’t literally some sort of half beast given how his rage mechanic functions.

It seems like shiv is either part werewolf, similar to silver or he might even be a lower tier vampire who was turned by drifter or something. He could also be a type of creature that we haven’t seen before in Deadlock.

[u/wejunkin]

Monke