Deadlock Beginner’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Deadlock is a highly anticipated hero-shooter/MOBA game by Valve that pits teams of six against each other in a battle to destroy the enemy Patron. Deadlock is currently in the playtest phase, it’s crucial to understand the game’s basics if you want to dominate.
Objective and Gameplay
The primary objective of Deadlock is to push through enemy lanes, destroy their defenses, and ultimately take down the Patron. Each lane has a Guardian, Walker, and Elder Guardians, along with Shrines protecting the Patron.
To win, you’ll need to strategically eliminate these objectives and weaken the Patron before delivering the final blow.
- Guardian: A knight that defends the lane with its laser and melee attacks. It works as a tower.
- Walker: A large robot with various attacks, including AOE missiles and stomps.
- Elder Guardians: Tougher guardians that protect the entrance to the stronghold.
- Shrines: Two shrines that protect the Patron.
- Patron: The main objective of the game. Once weakened, it becomes stationary and can be destroyed. Patron acts as the Ancient in other MOBA games.
Heroes and Abilities
Deadlock offers a diverse roster of heroes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Currently, Deadlock offers 21 heroes to be played. As you progress, you’ll unlock ability upgrades using Ability Points (AP) earned from collecting Souls.
These upgrades enhance your hero’s skills and stats, and allow you to customize your gameplay.
- Abilities: Each hero has four abilities, including an ultimate. Ability upgrades increase their power and effectiveness.
- Ability Points (AP): AP is earned by collecting Souls and is used to upgrade abilities.
Laning and Farming
The game features four lanes: Yellow, Orange, Blue, and Purple. At the start, you’ll be assigned to a lane to farm minions and gain experience.
Focus on last-hitting minions to farm Souls, which are used to level up and purchase items. Don’t forget to shoot the Soul Orbs that appear after minions are defeated.
- Last-hitting: Dealing the final blow to a minion to secure the soul.
- Soul Orbs: Orbs that appear after minions are defeated and can be shot to earn Souls.
Jungle Camp Respawn Times
Jungle camps in Deadlock respawn at specific intervals, providing a consistent source of Souls and experience. Here’s a breakdown of the respawn times for each type of camp:
Small creep camps:
- Initial spawn: 2:00 minutes
- Respawn time: 4 minutes after all enemies in the camp are defeated
Gold urns:
- Initial spawn: 3:00 minutes
- Respawn time: 3 minutes after being broken
Medium jungle camps:
- Initial spawn: 7:00 minutes
- Respawn time: 6 minutes after being defeated
Hard jungle camps:
- Initial spawn: 7:00 minutes
- Respawn time: 8 minutes after being defeated
Mid-Boss:
- Initial spawn: 10:00 minutes
- Respawn time: 7 minutes after being defeated
Runes/Temp buffs:
- Initial spawn: 10:00 minutes
- Respawn time: Every 5 minutes after being picked up
Soul Urns:
- Initial spawn: 10:00 minutes
- Respawn time: Every 5 minutes after being picked up
Souls and Items
Souls are the primary currency in Deadlock. Use them to upgrade your hero’s stats and purchase items from the shop. Items provide passive effects and active abilities that can significantly impact your gameplay.
- Passive effects: Ongoing benefits that enhance your hero’s abilities.
- Active abilities: Skills that can be used on demand.
Curiosity Shop
In Deadlock, the Curiosity Shop serves as the primary source for upgrading your hero and acquiring powerful items. Souls are the currency used in the shop.
You can only buy items from the shop at your base. However, there are early lane shop stands that remain open until your first Guardian is destroyed.
The shop features several categories of items:
- Weapon: Items that enhance your bullet damage and shooting abilities.
- Vitality: Items that increase your health and resistance to bullet and spirit damage.
- Spirit: Items that boost your spirit power, allowing you to deal more damage with your abilities.
- Flex: Items that can be chosen from any category, unlocked through specific achievements.
Items are divided into tiers based on their cost and power:
- Tier 1: Cost 500 souls.
- Tier 2: Cost 1,250 souls.
- Tier 3: Cost 3,000+ souls.
- Tier 4: Cost 6,300+ souls.
To unlock additional flex slots, you need to complete specific achievements:
- Flex Slot 1: Defeat an enemy Walker.
- Flex Slot 2: Destroy all four enemy Walkers.
- Flex Slot 3: Defeat an Elder Guardian.
- Flex Slot 4: Destroy an enemy Shrine.
Key Tips for Beginners
- Communicate: Teamwork is essential in Deadlock. Coordinate with your teammates to plan strategies and execute plays.
- Learn Your Hero: Understand your hero’s abilities and playstyle to maximize their effectiveness.
- Prioritize Objectives: Focus on destroying enemy objectives to gain a strategic advantage.
- Farm Efficiently: Collect Souls and items to enhance your hero’s power.
- Practice and Experiment: Try different heroes and strategies to find what works best for you.
Conclusion
Deadlock is a new MOBA game with the potential to become the next big hit. By following this beginner’s guide, you’ll gain a better understanding of the game and increase your chances of winning.
If you haven’t received an invitation to the playtest yet, check out our guide on how to join the Deadlock playtest.
