Valve has finally rolled out the first major update for Deadlock in months, which brings sweeping changes to the game. After a period of minor patches and a steadily declining player base, the February 25 update aims to reinvigorate the title.
The standout feature of this update is the map rework — Deadlock‘s four-lane map has now been simplified to three lanes, a shift that aligns more with traditional MOBA designs.
What’s New?
1. Map Overhaul
- The map has undergone significant visual and structural changes to accommodate the switch from four to three lanes.
- Key features such as neutral camps, vents, and power-ups have been rearranged to reflect the map simplification.
- A new “Explore Map” mode allows players to run around the empty city, perfect for testing movement and navigation.
2. Soul Orb System Changes
- The mechanics have been streamlined: Troopers no longer need to be last-hit to generate Soul Orbs — proximity is enough.
- The lifetime of Soul Orbs in the air has been significantly reduced, and their radius has increased by 10%.
- Visual effects now show Soul Orbs flying toward the player when they collect them.
3. Sprint Speed and Adjustments
- Sprint speed has been doubled, improving map traversal.
- The duration of sprint disable after taking or dealing damage has been reduced significantly, making movement smoother.
4. Mid Boss and General Combat Tweaks
- The Mid Boss remains but has been repositioned to the center of the mid-lane, with visible windows for players to monitor its status.
- Many heroes have received adjustments, including model improvements, balancing tweaks, and additional visual effects to enhance combat feel.
5. Game Feel and Performance Enhancements
- The update brings support for DLSS and AMD’s FSR3 for improved visuals and performance.
- Client performance has been improved, with optimizations to reduce latency and improve server calculations.
- A higher tick rate (from 60Hz to 64Hz) promises more precise gameplay mechanics, especially for combat interactions.
6. Gameplay and Balance Updates
- Neutral camps have had their respawn times adjusted: small camps now respawn every 3 minutes, while mid-camps respawn every 5 minutes.
- Changes to the Sinner’s Sacrifice system now reward players with Golden Statue buffs based on how they kill the boss, with specific rewards for heavy and light melee hits.
- Flex slot requirements for hero builds have been updated, making it easier to access key slots during the game.
7. UI and Quality of Life Improvements
- The update also brings several user interface tweaks, including new features in the Quickbuy system and a more intuitive Damage Report.
- New voice lines have been added, with expanded ping options and enhanced in-game sound effects to improve immersion.
8. Miscellaneous Changes
- Ziplines are now curved to add variety to map traversal.
- Mid Neutral Camp respawn times have been reduced, alongside changes to Soul Orb and neutral camp bounties.
- Various hero abilities and models have been polished, with some new features, like new animations for certain hero attacks and interactions.
Is This the Turning Point for Deadlock?
The February 25 update arrives at a pivotal moment for Deadlock. After a surge in player interest during the early months post-launch, the game’s active player base has dropped significantly, with only 17,000 active players last month compared to the peak of 90% more players in September.
Valve’s goal with this update is to simplify the experience and bring back players who may have been turned off by the complexity of the previous four-lane map. Whether the updated map and simplified mechanics will reignite Deadlock‘s player base remains to be seen, but the changes certainly signal that Valve is committed to making the game more accessible and engaging.
Full Patch Notes Highlights:
- Map Rework: Transition from four to three lanes, significant visual and functional changes across the map.
- Soul Orb System: No longer requires last hits; proximity-based collection.
- Sprint Speed: Doubled for faster map movement.
- Hero and Combat Changes: Adjustments to heroes, abilities, and visual effects.
- Performance Optimizations: DLSS, FSR3, reduced latency, and server improvements.
- UI/UX Enhancements: New features for Quickbuy, Damage Report, and pings.
Final Thoughts
The update is now live on Steam, and players can dive into the new experience right away. Only time will tell if these changes are enough to pull Deadlock back into the spotlight and rebuild its community.
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