Deadlock: Beginner's Guide - How to Play

Deadlock is a third-person multiplayer shooter with MOBA elements, developed by Valve. The game is set in an alternate version of New York City, where teams battle to control lanes and eliminate enemies in large-scale objective-based matches. Unlike traditional FPS games, Deadlock introduces unique gameplay mechanics such as hero-based abilities, NPC troops (troopers), and lane control that influence strategic decisions.

As a beginner, you’ll need to master core gameplay elements such as movement, positioning, hero selection, and team coordination. This guide will introduce you to these fundamentals and provide detailed insights into how to improve your performance in Deadlock matches. By following these strategies and continuously refining your skills, you can quickly progress from a beginner to a competitive player.

What is Deadlock

Deadlock is a competitive third-person shooter with MOBA-inspired mechanics, set in an alternate version of New York City. Players select unique heroes, each with distinct abilities, and compete in lane-based matches, utilizing NPC-controlled troopers to push objectives. The game requires strategic decision-making, precise combat skills, and team coordination.

Understanding the Basics

Game Objective

Deadlock is a lane-based multiplayer shooter where teams of players fight to push their NPC-controlled troopers forward while defending their own base. The ultimate goal is to destroy the opposing team’s Patron, a powerful supernatural entity located within their stronghold.

Game Modes

• Lane Control Matches – Players battle to advance their troopers and take down enemy defenses.
• Objective-Based Mode – Requires completing specific tasks, such as capturing points or securing key resources.
• Competitive Ranked Play – Matches designed for high-level competitive gameplay with structured team compositions.

Movement and Controls

Mastering movement is critical in Deadlock. Efficient positioning and quick reactions can make the difference between winning and losing engagements.

• Ziplines & Teleporters – Navigate between lanes and reposition quickly.
• Cover Mechanics – Use objects in the environment to block enemy fire.
• Hero Abilities – Each hero has unique movement skills, such as dashes or teleportation.

Deadlock Heroes

Each hero in Deadlock belongs to a specific archetype that defines their role in combat. Understanding these roles can help players choose a hero that fits their playstyle and contributes to the team’s success.

Deadlock Archetypes

• Engage/Tank – Absorbs damage and initiates fights, providing protection for allies.
• Poke/Sniper – Deals high damage from a distance, forcing enemies into unfavorable positions.
• Duelist/Split Pusher – Excels in 1v1 combat and controlling side lanes independently.
• Healer/Support – Provides healing, shields, and buffs to enhance the team's sustainability.

Choosing Your Hero and Loadout

In Deadlock, players select from over 30 unique heroes, each with distinct weapons, abilities, and stats. Choosing the right hero based on your playstyle and team composition is key to victory.

Hero Classes

In Deadlock, heroes are categorized into distinct classes, each fulfilling a specific role within the team. Selecting the appropriate hero can significantly influence your team's success, as each class excels in different aspects of combat and strategy.

• Damage Dealers – These heroes specialize in high burst damage and offensive capabilities. Designed to eliminate opponents swiftly, they often have lower defensive stats, making positioning and accuracy crucial. They excel at controlling engagements and applying pressure on enemy formations.
• Tanks – Durable frontline heroes who absorb damage and create space for the team. Tanks typically possess crowd-control abilities that disrupt enemy movements and protect allies from attacks. Their primary role is to anchor fights and sustain engagements for extended periods.
• Supports – Focused on healing, buffing teammates, and providing utility. Support heroes enhance the overall effectiveness of their team by keeping allies alive, improving damage output, or offering defensive shields. Although not primarily damage-dealers, their presence can turn the tide of battle.
• Controllers – Tactical heroes who specialize in crowd control, debuffs, and battlefield manipulation. They excel at restricting enemy movement, disabling key targets, and setting up advantageous engagements for their team. Controllers thrive in strategic play and coordinated team fights.

Understanding these classes and their roles is essential for effective team composition and strategy in Deadlock. Choosing the right hero based on your team's needs and adapting to the evolving battlefield will greatly increase your chances of success.

Weapons

Each weapon class has unique strengths and best-use scenarios:

• Assault Rifles - Versatile and balanced for mid-range engagements.
• Sniper Rifles - High damage for long-range combat, ideal for covering teammates from a distance.
• SMGs - Quick handling and fast fire rate for close-range skirmishes.
• Shotguns - Devastating in close-quarters scenarios, perfect for indoor combat.
• LMGs - Heavy firepower for suppressive roles, capable of holding choke points.
• Pistols & Sidearms - Reliable backup weapons for emergency situations.

Tactical Gear

• Grenades - Use frag grenades to clear out enemies from cover and force repositioning.
• Smoke & Flashbangs - Disrupt enemy vision and movement, creating openings for an attack.
• Deployable Shields - Create temporary defensive barriers to fortify positions.
• Mines & Traps - Place tactical explosives in chokepoints to control enemy movements.

Support Items

• Healing Kits - Restore health during combat to sustain engagements longer.
• Ammunition Packs - Resupply teammates when running low on ammo, ensuring sustained pressure.
• Drones & Sensors - Provide intel on enemy locations and movements for strategic planning.

Deadlock Map

Understanding the Deadlock map is essential for effective gameplay. The game features multiple lanes, objectives, and strategic zones that impact the flow of each match.

Deadlock Lanes

• Top Lane – Typically favored by Tanks and Duelists for extended engagements.
• Mid Lane – The shortest lane, often contested by Snipers and high-mobility heroes.
• Bot Lane – Focused on team fights and control of resources.

Deadlock Map Features

• Ziplines – Quick mobility options between lanes.
• Curiosity Shops – Locations where players can purchase items mid-match.
• Soul Urns – Collectible resources that enhance hero stats over time.

Map Awareness and Lane Control

Understanding map dynamics is crucial in Deadlock. Knowing where to position yourself and when to push or retreat can significantly impact your team’s success.

Key Positioning Tips

• Control Lanes Efficiently – Continuously apply pressure on lanes by supporting troopers, reinforcing strongholds, and denying enemy advancements. Proper lane control ensures territorial dominance and limits the opponent’s movement options.
• Utilize Ziplines Strategically – Deadlock’s maps feature ziplines that provide quick repositioning opportunities. Use them to rotate between lanes, engage enemies from unexpected angles, or escape dangerous situations.
• Secure High Ground for Tactical Advantage – Elevated positions offer better visibility and a more defensible stance against enemies. Controlling high ground allows for safer engagements, better sniping positions, and more effective team coordination.
• Defend Key Objectives and The Patron – Protecting your team’s stronghold and defending key objectives is crucial to maintaining control. Pay attention to enemy movements and anticipate sieges before they happen.
• Avoid Chokepoints Without Proper Coverage – Chokepoints can be deadly if not approached with caution. Always ensure you have cover and support before advancing through narrow spaces where enemies may be waiting.
• Use Cover and Corners to Your Advantage – Staying in cover reduces incoming damage and makes it harder for enemies to land shots. Use walls, structures, and natural barriers to peek strategically and avoid unnecessary exposure.
• Rotate Based on Team Needs – Adjust positioning based on your team’s movements. If a lane is under heavy pressure, be ready to reinforce it quickly while maintaining overall map balance.

Teamplay and Communication

Unlike traditional shooters, Deadlock relies heavily on team coordination. Playing solo without communicating will put you at a severe disadvantage.

Essential Teamwork Tips

• Coordinate Lane Assignments – Ensure each lane has proper coverage and support. Assigning players to specific lanes helps maintain a balanced map presence and prevents weak points in your defense.
• Assist Troopers – Keep your NPC units alive to maintain pressure on enemy positions. Healing, buffing, or strategically placing troopers can turn the tide of battle.
• Time Ability Usage – Synchronize powerful abilities with teammates for maximum impact. Coordinated ultimates can wipe out enemy teams or secure key objectives.
• Call Out Enemy Movements – Use voice or text chat to inform your team about threats. Knowing the enemy’s position allows teammates to react strategically and avoid ambushes.
• Adapt to Changing Situations – Flexibility is key in Deadlock. If an enemy team is pushing aggressively in one lane, quickly rotate to reinforce defenses or execute a counterattack.
• Share Resources Efficiently – Some heroes can drop ammunition, healing packs, or buffs. Use them wisely to keep your teammates sustained in long engagements.
• Protect Support Heroes – Healers and utility-based heroes are crucial to maintaining the team’s longevity. Ensure they have cover and aren’t left vulnerable to enemy focus fire.
• Know When to Retreat – Not every engagement should be fought to the death. Sometimes pulling back to reposition and regroup is the best option for long-term success.

Deadlock Enemies

Players will encounter various AI-controlled enemies during matches, each serving a specific function in lane control and objectives.

• Deadlock Troopers (Creeps) - NPC minions that march down lanes, attacking enemy structures and opponents.
• Deadlock Guardians - Defensive AI units that protect key map locations and objectives.
• Deadlock Walkers - Powerful mechanized enemies that appear during late-game sieges.
• Deadlock Patron - The core objective of each match—teams must destroy the enemy Patron to secure victory.
• Deadlock Mid Boss - A neutral boss that, when defeated, grants significant buffs to the team.

Combat and Engagement Strategies

Deadlock offers fast-paced combat that requires a combination of mechanical skill and tactical awareness.

Combat Tips for Beginners

• Aim for Weak Points – Some enemies have weak spots that take extra damage.
• Manage Your Cooldowns – Don’t waste powerful abilities unless they’re necessary.
• Use Cover – Standing in the open makes you an easy target.
• Flank When Possible – Attacking from unexpected angles can turn fights in your favor.

Deadlock Farming

Efficient resource management plays a key role in strengthening your hero throughout the match.

• Deadlock Souls - Defeating enemies grants Souls, which can be used to upgrade abilities and items.
• Deadlock Jungle - A neutral zone between lanes containing powerful enemies that drop valuable resources.
• Deadlock Soul Urn - A high-risk, high-reward objective that provides a substantial team-wide buff.
• Deadlock Shops - Players can buy mid-game upgrades to enhance their hero’s strength and survivability.

Deadlock Builds

Choosing the right build for your hero optimizes their effectiveness in battle.

Deadlock Runes and Buffs

• Deadlock Runes – Permanent enhancements applied to heroes before the match begins.
• Deadlock Buffs – Temporary power-ups acquired by completing objectives and defeating neutral enemies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced players can fall into bad habits that hinder their performance. Here are some common mistakes to avoid as a beginner:

• Ignoring Objectives - Kills alone won’t win the game; focus on lane control and objectives.
• Overextending - Pushing too far without backup can lead to quick eliminations.
• Neglecting Troopers - Your NPC units are critical for advancing lanes, support them effectively.
• Forgetting to Buy Items - Always visit Curiosity Shops to enhance your hero’s performance.

Advanced Tips for Competitive Play

Once you’ve mastered the basics, take your game to the next level with these advanced tactics:

• Pre-Firing - Anticipate enemy movements and shoot before they appear.
• Sound Awareness - Footsteps and ability sounds reveal enemy positions.
• Strategic Ability Usage - Save powerful ultimates for key fights.
• Zoning Enemies - Use abilities to block enemy movement or force them into unfavorable positions.

How to Progress and Improve

As you gain experience in Deadlock, refining your skills and learning from mistakes will lead to better performance.

Key Progression Tips

• Experiment with Different Heroes - Learn multiple roles to increase versatility.
• Analyze Your Matches - Watch replays to identify mistakes.
• Stay Updated on Patches - Developers frequently adjust balance and mechanics.
• Watch Competitive Play - Observing top players can provide valuable insights.

Conclusion

Mastering Deadlock requires a combination of strategy, teamwork, and skill. With its unique blend of MOBA and shooter mechanics, success depends on understanding hero abilities, controlling lanes, and making tactical decisions.

A deep understanding of hero selection, ability usage, and team composition will significantly enhance your effectiveness in matches. Efficient coordination with teammates and constant adaptation to evolving battlefield conditions are key factors in securing victories.

By applying the strategies outlined in this guide, continuously analyzing your gameplay, and refining your tactics, you’ll improve your performance, become a valuable asset to your team, and climb the competitive ranks. Keep practicing, stay informed on meta changes, and most importantly, enjoy the fast-paced, strategic gameplay that Deadlock has to offer!

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Change Log

• 19.02.2025 - Deadlock: Beginner's Guide - How to Play published.