Deadlock Beginners Guide: Tips And Tricks

Welcome to your ultimate beginner’s guide to Deadlock! As Valve’s latest hybrid of hero shooter and MOBA elements, Deadlock presents a unique gaming experience that has quickly captured the attention of gamers. For newcomers granted access to this early-access sensation, the complex blend of genres might seem daunting at first.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the core aspects of Deadlock, from mastering objectives and heroes to understanding item mechanics, ensuring you have the essential knowledge to start securing victories. Whether you’re just getting your feet wet or looking to refine your strategies, this article will equip you with the tools you need to excel in Deadlock’s dynamic battlegrounds.

Objectives in Deadlock

In Deadlock, your primary mission is to defeat the opposing team’s Patron, situated within their base, while protecting your own. This core objective mirrors the concept of the Nexus in League of Legends or the Ancient in Dota 2, serving as the crucial focal point of each match.

Throughout the game, you’ll engage in a strategic tug-of-war, gradually advancing towards the enemy base by breaching their defenses. The ultimate aim is to destroy the enemy Patron, but safeguarding your own is equally critical. Failure to protect your Patron results in a loss. Matches can vary dramatically—some may see a balanced battle of attrition, while others might end in a rapid domination where one team decisively overpowers the other.

Gameplay fundamentals

Understanding the complexities of Deadlock is key for players transitioning from FPS games like Valorant or Overwatch 2, as well as those familiar with MOBAs. Deadlock combines elements from both genres into a strategic 6v6 battle across four distinct lanes. The game randomly assigns players to these lanes, with two lanes hosting 2v2 battles and the other two set up for 1v1 confrontations.

The arena is peppered with alleys, home to various monsters that players can defeat to collect Souls, essential for purchasing in-game upgrades. These alleys function similarly to a jungle, providing resources and strategic advantages, including a mid-boss available in the mid-game which teams can defeat for additional benefits.

The map is symmetrically designed, with each half mirroring the other. Each lane is fortified with multiple turrets that need to be destroyed to progress towards the enemy base. These turrets are categorized into Towers, Walkers, and Base Guardians. Towers serve as the initial defensive structure, where most early game actions take place. Walkers present a tougher challenge, offering significant resistance and damage output. Base Guardians, stationed at the lane’s end, are the final barrier before players can breach the enemy base.

Upon breaking through these defenses, teams will encounter Shrines, akin to Inhibitors in League of Legends, which must be destroyed to weaken the enemy’s defenses further. Each base houses two Shrines that need to be taken down to make the Patron vulnerable.

The Patron, a formidable entity floating within the base, is the ultimate objective. Once defeated, it morphs into a Weakened Patron, a critical target located in the enemy’s spawn area. Destroying this final form secures victory for your team. Conversely, if your opponents accomplish this against your team, it results in a defeat.

This strategic layering of objectives, from minions and turrets in the lanes to the pivotal Shrines and Patron in the base, sets the stage for intense and tactical gameplay, demanding coordination and strategic foresight to succeed.

Heroes

Deadlock features a diverse roster of 21 heroes, each with unique abilities and no fixed roles, allowing for flexible hero swapping across lanes. When choosing a hero, beginners can utilize Valve’s recommendations accessible through the heroes menu, or experiment in Sandbox mode to find a match for their playstyle. For competitive play, consider consulting tier lists to pick top-tier heroes like Pocket, Lady Geist, and Dynamo. Alternatively, selecting heroes based on personal aesthetic preference is entirely viable and can enhance enjoyment. Each hero is equipped with four abilities, usually three actives and one passive, and mastering these is key to improving game performance.

Items

In Deadlock, the in-game shop offers a selection of items classified into three categories: Weapon, Vitality, and Spirit, each enhancing different aspects of your character’s capabilities. Weapon items boost aspects like damage output, fire rate, reload time, and magazine size, and may include effects such as Lifesteal or Bleed. Vitality items increase health metrics, offering enhancements like Bullet Shield or Spirit Resist to bolster defense. Spirit items, blending attributes of Weapon and Vitality, enhance both survivability and attack power, sometimes affecting abilities as well. Items are also differentiated by type: active items, which can be used for targeted effects, and non-active items, which continuously provide buffs. For newcomers, sticking to the default item builds recommended in the shop for each hero is advisable, as these are segmented into early, mid, and late game phases. More experienced players might explore community builds that cater to specific playstyles and strategies, allowing for tailored approaches to gameplay.

Conclusion

This comprehensive beginner’s guide to Deadlock has covered the fundamental aspects of the game, from understanding objectives and mastering different heroes to selecting the right items for your playstyle. Whether you’re approaching from a MOBA background or new to this genre fusion, the insights provided aim to set a solid foundation for your journey in Deadlock. As you dive into the game, remember to focus on teamwork, explore the versatility of the heroes, and adapt your strategies based on the dynamic battlegrounds and evolving meta. With practice and persistence, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Deadlock and enjoying the rich, strategic gameplay it offers.