Welcome to Deadlock, Valve's 6v6 third-person shooter MOBA set in a 1920s-inspired occult version of New York City. Whether you're coming from traditional MOBAs or hero shooters, this guide will help you understand the core concepts.
What is Deadlock?
Deadlock is a game where two teams of six players battle through four lanes in a supernatural New York City. Each team serves a Patron — an ancient god trying to complete a ritual. Your goal: destroy the enemy Patron while defending your own.
- The Hidden King — lurks in the city's shadows, waiting for followers to bring him into the light
- The Archmother — guides the founders through glass, steel, and stone
Hero Types
Every hero in Deadlock falls into one of three archetypes:
| Type | Strength | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Marksman | Weapon damage | Excels at sustained ranged combat and lane pressure |
| Bruiser | Durability | Frontline fighters who thrive in close quarters |
| Mystic | Ability power | Relies on spirit-powered abilities for burst and utility |
Currently there are 38 playable heroes, each with four signature abilities and a unique weapon.
The Three Item Categories
Items are the backbone of your build. They are purchased with souls and fall into three color-coded categories:
Weapon (Orange)
Raw firepower. These items boost your bullet damage, fire rate, clip size, and weapon-related stats. Essential for marksman heroes but valuable for anyone who relies on shooting.
Vitality (Green)
Survivability. Health, armor, regen, shields, and utility. Bruiser heroes stack these to become unkillable frontliners, but every hero needs some vitality investment.
Spirit (Cyan)
Ability power. Cooldown reduction, tech damage, ability range, and duration. Mystic heroes scale hard with spirit items, unlocking devastating combos in the mid and late game.
The Soul Economy
Unlike traditional MOBAs with gold from last-hitting, Deadlock uses souls — a mystical currency you earn from:
- Lane creep orbs — last-hitting or denying lane creeps
- Neutral camps — jungle objectives scattered around the map
- Player kills and assists — significant soul bounties
- Objectives — guardians, walkers, and the mid boss
Efficient soul farming is the single most important skill in Deadlock. A player with a 2,000 soul lead can have an extra tier of items, which translates directly into combat power.
The Ranked Ladder
Deadlock features a 12-tier ranked system:
- Obscurus — starting rank
- Initiate — learning the basics
- Seeker — developing game sense
- Alchemist — understanding builds
- Arcanist — consistent mechanics
- Ritualist — strong decision-making
- Emissary — team coordination
- Archon — advanced strategy
- Oracle — mastery level
- Phantom — elite players
- Ascendant — top percentile
- Eternus — the pinnacle
Each tier has six sub-ranks, and your matchmaking rating determines your position on the ladder.
Key Tips for New Players
- Farm souls efficiently — Last-hitting is crucial. Practice securing every orb in your lane.
- Buy items on tempo — Don't hoard souls. Spend them on the right items at the right time.
- Communicate with your team — Deadlock is a 6v6 team game. Coordinate pushes and rotations.
- Learn one hero well first — Pick a hero that fits your playstyle and master their kit before branching out.
- Watch the minimap — Enemy rotations are telegraphed if you pay attention.
What's Next?
Explore our hero guides, item breakdowns, and strategy articles to deepen your understanding of the game. Whether you're pushing for Ritualist or chasing Eternus, Relic Finder has you covered.
Good luck in the lanes. The ritual awaits.
— The Deadlock Masters Team
Lockbuilds
Editor
The Lockbuilds team covers Deadlock hero analytics, build guides, item breakdowns, and competitive strategy.