Deadlock Beginner’s Guide: Heroes, Map, and Game Tips
Learn all the necessary information in our Deadlock guide for beginners. From Heroes to farming, these tips will help you get a win all the time.
Table of Contents
In this guide, we will walk you through the basics of Deadlock so you can understand what to focus on during your introduction to the game. If you are familiar with similar games like Overwatch, Dota 2, or League of Legends, it will be much easier to understand some aspects of the game, so feel free to skip some parts of our guide if you feel like you already know about them.
What is Deadlock
Deadlock is a new multiplayer hero shooter MOBA developed by Valve. The game is played through team vs team fights. Teams compete against each other on a map with lanes. Each lane has objectives you need to destroy to push further until you reach the enemy Patron, destroying which will bring victory to your team.
Deadlock guide for beginners: Deadlock Heroes
Deadlock features a diverse roster of heroes, each bringing unique abilities to the battlefield. When you start a game, take the time to browse through the heroes. Explore their abilities, check out their designs, and test them in the single-player sandbox mode. This will help you discover which heroes align best with your preferred playstyle.e most popular builds is generally the way to go.
We recommend focusing on mastering 3-4 heroes. Since Deadlock’s core experience is multiplayer, you won’t always have access to your first-choice hero. By diversifying your focus, you’ll increase your chances of playing a hero you’re comfortable with. Learn their skills on a fundamental level before diving into a match, giving yourself the versatility and confidence to adapt to any situation.
At the start of the games, the heroes are quite weak. However, by leveling up and buying items, you can gradually make them stronger and unlock their abilities.
If you struggle to choose between all of the characters, we suggest checking out our Deadlock characters for beginners guide. We have five characters with different playstyles to choose from, and every one of them is great for beginners.
Deadlock Archetypes
In Deadlock, heroes are designed to allow players to explore various playstyles without being confined to rigid roles. Unlike other hero-based games, Deadlock doesn’t restrict you to traditional roles like in other MOBAs. While each hero may lean toward one role or another, you’re not locked into a specific playstyle, allowing flexibility and more creative strategies. Often, the community divides Deadlock characters into archetypes as follows:
- Engage/Tank
- Poke/Sniper
- Duelist/Split Pusher
- Healer/Support.
Here’s a breakdown of these common hero archetypes:
Engage/Tank
These heroes thrive in initiating fights and controlling the flow of combat. With abilities that allow them to absorb damage or disrupt the enemy team, they are pivotal in creating space and leading the charge. Their role isn’t just about durability but also positioning and forcing engagements that benefit the team.
Poke/Sniper
Poke/Sniper heroes excel at dealing damage from a distance, wearing down enemies before an all-out fight. They specialize in precision and range, using hit-and-run tactics to weaken opponents and control the battlefield. These heroes are great for those who prefer a strategic, patient approach, picking off high-value targets or disrupting the enemy’s plans from afar.
Duelist/Split Pusher
These heroes are designed for one-on-one encounters and isolated skirmishes. Whether they focus on flanking the enemy or taking objectives alone, Duelist/Split Pushers excel at catching opponents off guard and controlling key map areas. Their playstyle involves high mobility and self-sufficiency, perfect for players who enjoy independent and aggressive tactics.
Healer/Support
While the traditional idea of a Healer/Support is to sustain teammates through healing or buffs, Deadlock expands this role to offer more versatility. These heroes can provide utility beyond healing, including shields, debuffs, or crowd control. They’re essential to team success, not only by keeping allies alive but by enabling and enhancing their performance on the battlefield.
Ultimately, Deadlock encourages players to explore these archetypes without being confined to one. The flexibility in how each hero is played allows for experimentation and creative strategies, making every match dynamic and rewarding.
We’re working on an overview of the best Deadlock heroes for beginners. If you’re new to Deadlock, stay tuned!
Deadlock level and ability system
Deadlock introduces a dynamic level and ability system that enhances gameplay and strategy. Each player begins at a baseline level, which can be increased by collecting souls that drop from enemies. There are 25 levels, and the rewards from leveling up differ from each other, with better rewards at higher levels.
By reaching certain levels, you will gain access to your character’s abilities. Later on, they can be enhanced as well. Each character has 4 abilities. 2 basic ones, 1 passive, and 1 Ultimate. The abilities may differ completely, from damage dealing to healing, depending on your character, so make sure you know your character’s abilities.
Deadlock Movement
The other important thing to consider is the movement. The game occurs in an urban area with many different crosswalks, accessible rooftops, and shortcuts. Better navigating through the map can give you a big advantage over players who stick to common paths.
You can also use different movement actions to navigate the map more easily. Jumping, dashing, sliding, and crouching are all available to you. You can even combine them to do more complex movements like dashing in the air or jumping off the walls. The only limit is your Stamina bar. Each action will take one box from your Stamina bar. You will start with a small amount of Stamina. It can be increased during your progression.
Ziplines can help you navigate the map quickly. They are situated above the main lines; to access them, you need to look at them and jump. However, remember that the enemy can shoot you off the zipline, so stay alert.
Deadlock guide for beginners: Deadlock map
Deadlock Lanes
In Deadlock, the battlefield is divided into four lanes. They act like the main roads where most of the game happens. Each lane connects two opposing Patrons. The lanes are defended by Guardians and Walkers. Players split across these lanes to apply pressure, defend, or push toward the enemy’s base. Understanding lane dynamics is crucial for controlling map space, managing resources, and setting up advantageous fights. Whether you’re holding a lane solo or coordinating with teammates, mastering lane control can be the difference between victory and defeat.
Deadlock map features
Other than lanes, there are a lot of other interesting parts of the map. There are a lot of different sidewalks, roofs, and tunnels on the map that allow you to surprise your enemies with an ambush or effectively escape them. There are also some Cosmic Veils—the one-way mirrors that allow you to see your opponent while they can’t see you, providing a great spot for reconnaissance.
Deadlock guide for beginners: Deadlock enemies
Deadlock Troopers (Creeps)
Troopers are AI-controlled units that continuously march down the lanes, supporting players in battle. Trooper waves fight each other, providing players with early farming while also allowing pushing through the lane. Utilizing Troopers for your advantage is essential in pushing the lanes, as Guardians and Walkers will attack the closest enemy in their range. A group of Troopers can allow you to attack the Guardians and Walkers without taking damage.
Deadlock Guardians
Guardians are one of the two primary defenses protecting the Patron alongside the formidable Walkers. These towering metal automatons are distinguished by the fiery braziers that serve as their heads, giving them a fearsome, almost ritualistic appearance. Armed with a powerful torch, they emit a searing laser that relentlessly targets Troopers or Heroes wandering into their range. Their continuous beams of energy make them a daunting obstacle, forcing players to strategize carefully to avoid getting overwhelmed by their sustained firepower while advancing on key objectives.
Deadlock Walkers
Walkers are the second line of defense in each lane, becoming vulnerable only after their corresponding Guardian is defeated. Each team is equipped with four Walkers, one stationed in each lane, standing as imposing sentinels ready to repel any advancing enemies. Like Guardians, Walkers don’t take damage until an enemy Hero or Trooper enters their attack radius, at which point they focus on the closest target. When activated, a Walker can unleash one of three powerful attacks.
Deadlock Patron
The Patron is a colossal, enchanted golem that serves as the primary objective in Deadlock matches. Each team’s base is home to a Patron, and the key to victory lies in destroying the opposing team’s Patron. Throughout gameplay, the Patron offers commentary on player performance, announces significant events, and bestows powerful boons that allow players to level up.
Deadlock Mid Boss
After 10 minutes in a match, the Mid Boss emerges from a central building, announced by a roar and the Patron’s message: “The Mid Boss has arrived.” A golden Rejuvenator symbol appears at its location.
Initially dormant, the Mid Boss becomes active when a player enters its pit, targeting the closest player with a powerful purple beam. Only players inside the pit can damage it, as it is immune to outside attacks and protected by a constantly regenerating shield. Once its health drops to 60%, it roars again, indicating it’s near defeat.
When defeated, a Rejuvenator slowly descends. Attacking it with a heavy melee strike grants the attacker’s team the Rejuvenator Credit buff for 3 minutes, which includes:
- Halved respawn times for all players.
- Conversion of nearby Troopers into Super Troopers.
- A 20% fire rate increase for allies.
- A 200 HP boost for allies.
- A 1 m/s movement speed increase for allies.
Deadlock guide for beginners: Deadlock farming
Deadlock Souls
Souls are the game’s main currency for buying items in the shop and leveling up. Souls will drop from any enemy entity, both players and NPCs. However, killing the Minions is the best way to farm souls early on. Once the Minion dies, a soul orb will appear from them. Shoot it to get more souls. If you don’t shoot it first, the enemy will stay alert. You can attack orbs from both friendly and enemy minions. If your enemy kills a Minion, you can take the orb to deny them the farm.
Deadlock Jungle
Beyond the lanes lies the jungle, an area filled with neutral Denizen camps. These alien-like entities inhabit the jungle in varying sizes—small, medium, and large—each presenting different challenges and rewards. The larger the Denizen, the more souls it drops upon defeat, making it particularly sought after by players looking to enhance their power.
Denizens are inherently neutral, which means they can be engaged by either team. However, they will not attack first.
The jungle not only serves as a source of resources but also offers strategic opportunities. Players can use the Denizen camps to ambush enemies or to regroup and heal after skirmishes.
Deadlock Soul Urn
Soul Urn, a.k.a Spirit Urn, will spawn on an alter at 10 minutes. You can find them on the edges of the map center. You can pick up the Deadlock urn and bring it to the opposing side of the map to earn souls for you and your team:
- Souls for all team members
- +25% bonus Souls for capturer
- +1 ability point for capturer
Remember to shoot the soul orbs as well. You cannot shoot or use your abilities if you pick up the Urn. You will only have a general +3 speed buff. Cooperate with your team to bring the Urn to its destination, as the enemy will know about it being taken and might want to attack the Urn carrier.
Deadlock Shops
In Deadlock, shops are essential hubs throughout the map where players can purchase upgrades, equipment, and unique items to enhance their performance during matches. These shops provide various options tailored to different playstyles, allowing players to customize their loadouts strategically. Each item can significantly impact gameplay, from powerful weapons and defensive gear to consumables that offer temporary boosts.
Deadlock Builds
Instead of buying random items, using the community’s preset builds you can follow is much better. The builds can be selected inside the game’s shops. Selecting one of the most popular builds is generally the way to go.
Deadlock Runes and buffs
Deadlock Runes
Runes in Deadlock are temporary stat boosts that players can acquire during matches, enhancing their capabilities and providing a tactical edge. Runes will appear every five minutes after the initial 10-minute mark of a match. Keep an eye on your minimap, as these Runes are easy to spot. They consistently materialize on the bridges adjacent to the Soul Urns.
Only two Runes will emerge with each spawn, so be quick! Approach the Rune hovering above the radiant grate to claim its powerful buff.
There are four distinct types of Runes, each offering unique benefits:
- Movement Rune: Boost your speed and stamina, allowing for quicker repositioning and more agile maneuvers.
- Weapon Rune: Enhance fire rate and magazine size, making you a more formidable presence in combat.
- Spirit Rune: Amplify Spirit power, increasing the effectiveness of your abilities and spells.
- Survival Rune: Increase health and health regeneration, giving you greater durability in the heat of battle.
Once claimed, each Rune lasts for approximately three minutes, giving players a limited window to maximize their advantages and shift the tide of the match in their favor.
Deadlock buffs
Throughout the map, players will encounter various crates and statues that offer valuable buffs, providing permanent enhancements to their attributes. These items respawn every three minutes, encouraging players to explore the environment for opportunities to strengthen their characters.
Each crate or statue can grant one of several potent effects, including:
- +3% Weapon Damage: Amplifies the impact of your attacks, making each shot count.
- +1.5% Firing Rate: Increases how quickly you can fire your weapon, boosting overall damage output.
- Additional Souls: Grants a bonus of souls, allowing for faster accumulation of resources.
- +2 Spirit: Enhances your Spirit power, unlocking more potent abilities.
- +15 Maximum Health: Increases your overall health, improving your survivability in combat.
- +4% Ammo Capacity: Expands your magazine size, ensuring you stay in the fight longer.
- -0.75% Ability Cooldown: Reduces the cooldown on abilities, allowing for more frequent use of powerful skills.
Deadlock beginner’s guide: match tips and tricks
Early game
The early game is quite slow-paced as everyone is just starting with low levels and no items. At this point in the game, your focus should be on farming as much as possible.
At this stage, don’t be aggressive. Don’t run far into the enemy territory. Only fight with the enemy when you know you have the advantage.
Mid game
It is hard to determine when precisely the Mid game starts. However, generally, this happens once the teams start to push into each other territory, and you can see players moving in groups more. Once you are in this stage, staying closer to your team is better if you don’t know what to do. You can focus on pushing the lane instead. However, keep an eye on the mini-map. If you don’t see your enemies on it, there is a high chance they will attack you soon.
Don’t forget to buy items to make yourself stronger. Your build will play a much more significant role once you enter the mid-game, so make sure to farm as much as possible.
Team fights are going to start in this phase. Attack the strongest enemy first. The faster they are dead, the better it is for your team. Usually, the best player is the one who can get the most kills. Don’t start the fights against multiple enemies yourself if you are not confident you can win them.
Late game
The Late game starts when one of the teams reaches the opposing Patron. There are two types of Late games. The one you are winning and the one you’re losing. However, don’t give up fast because you’re losing right now. If your enemies get too confident, they can become reckless and start acting alone.
Most of the fights in this stage will be a team for a team, so don’t go alone for a long time. If most of your team got killed, it is better to retreat and wait for their respawn, then act recklessly and die.
You are not going to win every game. Even the best players can’t win consistently. Instead of raging and blaming your team, take time to analyze what you could have done better and what the enemy did better than you. Only by learning you can get better in the game.
Conclusion
This is it for our Deadlock guide for beginners. We hope this guide helped you understand the basics of the game. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.
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