Home News Valve Releases Major Deadlock Update

Valve Releases Major Deadlock Update

by Natalie Mar 12,2025

Valve has released a major update for Deadlock, completely revamping its core map design. Gone are the four lanes; in their place sits a more traditional three-lane structure, bringing the game closer to the familiar MOBA format.

This shift dramatically alters gameplay. The previous "1 vs 2" lane distribution is obsolete. Expect a strategic overhaul as teams now navigate a two-hero-per-lane meta, demanding a fresh approach to resource management and team composition.

DeadlockImage: steampowered.com

The map's redesign extends beyond lane count, impacting the positions of neutral camps, buffs, and other key elements. To help players adapt, a new "map exploration" mode has been added, allowing for enemy- and ally-free exploration of the revised layout.

Beyond the map, the Soul Orb system has received significant attention. Players can now accumulate souls even without directly securing the final blow, leading to faster resource gathering. Further refinements have been made to soul effects, notably reducing air-hover times.

This update also includes adjustments to sprint mechanics, character balance improvements, and enhanced support for technologies like DLSS, FSR, NVIDIA Reflex, and Anti-Lag 2.0. Performance optimizations and numerous bug fixes round out this substantial patch. For a comprehensive list of all changes, consult the official patch notes.