Best Deadlock Guide for Beginners and How to Play
Last Update: 11/08/2024

Deadlock is an exciting and strategic game that combines tactical combat, hero abilities, and team coordination. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to improve your skills, understanding the game mechanics and the roles of various heroes can greatly enhance your gameplay experience. 

This guide aims to introduce the game, offer tips for beginners, and provide detailed hero guides for mastering each character. Additionally, we’ll explore how to optimize your gaming experience using LagoFast, a game booster that helps reduce lag and improve overall performance.

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What is Deadlock?

Deadlock is a tactical multiplayer game that blends elements of strategy, combat, and team coordination. The game is set in a futuristic world where players assume the roles of various heroes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. The game focuses on team-based combat, and your success depends not only on your individual skills but also on your ability to work together with your team.

The game’s core mechanics revolve around different heroes, each possessing a distinct set of abilities that can turn the tide of battle. Understanding these characters and their strengths is crucial to developing effective strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, mastering these heroes will make you a more formidable player in Deadlock.

Basic Deadlock Guide for Beginners

Deadlock is currently in closed playtesting and is invite-only. To gain access, you’ll need an invite from a player who already has access themselves, and you must be on their Steam friends list in order to receive the invitation. At present, the game is only available on PC via Steam.

Deadlock offers a deep and rewarding experience, but this depth also means there's a steep learning curve. While mastering the game will take time, learning the core fundamentals can significantly boost your efficiency and enjoyment. In this beginner guide, we’ll focus on the key aspects that will help you get up to speed, rather than covering every single mechanic in the game.

Before diving into the tips below, we recommend that you’ve already explored the Learn to Play section of the game, including tutorials and gameplay clips. Additionally, playing at least one bot match will provide you with some basic experience before jumping into live games.

1. Mastering Heroes: Playing and Countering Effectively

One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of any hero-based game is understanding how to play as different heroes and how to effectively counter them. Deadlock is no different, and understanding this will drastically improve your gameplay.

2. How to Learn Heroes

In Deadlock, you can’t just pick one hero to queue up for a match— you need to select at least three different heroes to make up your roster for a Standard Match. This means that learning multiple heroes is essential from the start.

Here’s how to approach this:

  • Start with Heroes That Interest You: If you’re eager to jump in, choose a hero based on their design or abilities that appeal to you. There's no right or wrong choice here—just have fun with it.
  • Read the Subtitles and Playstyle Summaries: Each hero comes with a brief description of their strengths and role. For example, McGinnis is described as a hero who "controls the battlefield with turrets." These details will help you understand what each hero excels at.
  • Familiarize Yourself in the Sandbox or Bot Matches: Once you’ve selected a hero, head to the Sandbox mode or a bot game to get hands-on experience. Learn their abilities, try out their builds, and get comfortable with their mechanics.
  • Build Your Core Hero Pool: As you start getting the hang of your first hero, repeat the process until you have at least three heroes you feel comfortable with. These should cover different roles or archetypes. For example:
  1. Tanky Frontliners: Abrams, Kelvin, and Warden.
  2. Long-Range Damage Dealers: Haze, Seven, and Wraith.

By choosing heroes with overlapping roles, you can quickly develop similar skills. However, if you prefer variety, feel free to pick three completely different characters that suit your playstyle.

3. How to Play Against Heroes

While it’s crucial to develop a deep understanding of the heroes you play as, it’s equally important to know how to counter the heroes you face in matches. The key here is gradual learning and accumulating mental notes over time.

Here’s how to build this knowledge:

Start with the Basics: Focus on a few important traits of each hero. For example:

  • Bebop:
  1. Level 1 (Beginner): Bebop has a hook ability. Save your stamina and movement abilities when he’s nearby to avoid being caught.
  2. Level 2 (Intermediate): Bebop’s ultimate is a devastating laser beam, but it has a slow turn radius. Use this knowledge to dodge or counter his ultimate.
  3. Level 3 (Experienced): Bebop's bombs gain power with each hit, so avoid them in the landing phase to prevent him from scaling too quickly.

Gradually Build Your Knowledge: As you face more heroes, take mental notes of their abilities and weaknesses. This will help you recognize patterns and strategies to exploit in future matches.

Play the Hero Yourself: If you're struggling against a specific hero, try playing them for a few rounds. This hands-on experience will give you a deeper understanding of their weaknesses and help you figure out how to counter them more effectively when you face them as an opponent.

By focusing on learning both how to play as and how to counter heroes, you’ll gradually develop the skills to navigate the complexities of Deadlock. Take your time, and remember that learning each hero’s unique playstyle and counterplay can be one of the most rewarding parts of mastering the game.

How to Win Your First Game in Deadlock?

Deadlock is an exciting, fast-paced game where the goal is to destroy your enemy's base by breaking through their defenses and taking down their Patron, a giant, brassy orb with a face. While this may sound simple, the path to victory requires strategy, teamwork, and efficient hero play.

The map is symmetrically split into four vertical lanes, each defended by high-HP towers and waves of NPCs called Troopers. These Troopers periodically spawn and march down the lanes, helping you push toward the enemy's base. Along the way, you'll fight enemy Troopers, earn Souls, and level up your character's abilities.

To secure victory, your main objectives are:

  • Collect Souls to buy items that enhance your abilities.
  • Destroy enemy buildings and fortifications.
  • Defend your own base and Patron from enemy attacks.

1. Getting Started: Before You Queue

Before jumping into your first public match, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the game mechanics. Sandbox mode is your best friend here. Spend some time learning the controls and practicing with a few heroes. This will help you get comfortable with their abilities, weapons, and gameplay style.

You should also take time to:

  • Fine-tune your mouse settings to optimize your aim and reaction time.
  • Practice hitting headshots, as they deal significantly more damage.
  • Learn the core mechanics such as melee combat, parrying, and using your abilities effectively.

2. Hero Basics: Mastering Your Champion

Each hero in Deadlock has four abilities, including a powerful ultimate. Abilities are central to your success, so understanding how and when to use them is key.

  • Basic Abilities: Every hero has three standard abilities, which can be upgraded during the match using ability points.
  • Ultimate Ability: Each hero also has an ultimate ability with a longer cooldown, which is stronger and more game-changing.

Your abilities are unlocked as you progress through the match. Hover over the ability icons to see their effects and upgrade options. Timing and positioning are crucial—proper use of your abilities can turn the tide of battle.

  • Right Mouse Button: Use this to zoom in and improve your aim, especially for headshots.
  • Q Key: Quick melee attacks can be useful in tight situations, while holding Q for a charged melee can deal more damage.
  • F Key: This allows you to parry incoming melee attacks, stunning the enemy if done correctly.

3. Recommended Beginner Heroes

If you’re new to Deadlock, we suggest trying the following heroes in sandbox mode to get a feel for different playstyles:

  • Seven: A great all-around hero with strong AoE (area of effect) abilities.
  • Infernus: Known for his high damage and crowd control capabilities.
  • McGinnis: A solid hero with great survivability and damage output.
  • Haze: Excellent for controlling space and dealing with multiple enemies.

Each hero has unique strengths and weaknesses, so testing them in the sandbox will give you a better understanding of their abilities and how they fit into different team compositions.

4. Items: Boosting Your Power

In Deadlock, you can purchase items during the match to strengthen your hero. The item shop is divided into three main categories:

  • Weapon Items: Boost your weapon damage, fire rate, and ammo capacity.
  • Vitality Items: Increase your health, regeneration, and resistances.
  • Spirit Items: Enhance your ability power, reduce cooldowns, and apply debuffs to enemies.

Items come in four tiers, with more expensive items offering greater power. You can carry up to four items in your inventory from these categories. Additionally, completing certain objectives unlocks flex slots, allowing you to equip items from any category.

Flex slots are earned by:

  • Destroying two Walkers
  • Destroying all Walkers
  • Destroying all enemy Lane Guardians
  • Destroying the first Shrine

Some items are passive, granting automatic benefits, while others are active, requiring you to trigger them manually (with a cooldown before they’re usable again). In the sandbox mode, try out different items and their effects on target dummies to see how they affect your gameplay.

5. Final Tips for Success

  • Work as a Team: Deadlock is a team-oriented game, so coordination with your allies is essential. Don't go solo unless you’re confident in your ability to handle it.
  • Map Awareness: Always keep an eye on the map to avoid surprises. Check for enemy movements, missing Troopers, and objectives that need attention.
  • Know When to Push and When to Defend: If you’re ahead, press the advantage and push for objectives. If you’re behind, play defensively and focus on leveling up to catch up.

By following these basic tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Deadlock and securing victories for your team!

12 Top Deadlock Hero Guides

Deadlock features a diverse range of heroes, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the most popular heroes, their strengths, and tips on how to play them effectively:

1. Deadlock Bebop Guide

Bebop is Deadlock’s iconic hook hero, known for his ability to set up devastating combos and make big plays. His kit is designed to offer a lot of flexibility, with tools beyond just his hook, including an AoE bomb and laser beams.

Strengths:

  • Excellent at picking off enemies, especially during the laning phase.
  • Great pressure with his hook and left-click abilities, which makes him a strong laner.
  • Strong roaming potential for ganking other lanes.

Weaknesses:

  • Becomes much less threatening when his hook is on cooldown.
  • Struggles against high-mobility heroes that can dodge his abilities.
  • Not as effective in wide-open areas or places with lots of cover.

How to Play: Use Bebop’s hook to initiate fights or set up your team for a kill. Be mindful of cooldowns, and position yourself for maximum impact when your abilities are up. Roaming and applying pressure in other lanes can often tip the balance in your favor.

2. Deadlock Warden Guide

Warden is a powerful bruiser who excels in duels and can lock down key targets in teamfights. His fast mobility and ability to reduce enemy stamina make him an invaluable asset on the frontline.

Strengths:

  • Tanky and durable, especially against Spirit-based builds.
  • Incredible chasing ability to finish off fleeing enemies.
  • Strong at clearing jungle camps and roaming.

Weaknesses:

  • Vulnerable to long-range poke, as he lacks range-based abilities.
  • Needs to be mindful of his positioning when using his ultimate, as it has a windup time.
  • His snare can be easily evaded with enemy stamina management.

How to Play: Warden excels at diving in and disrupting the enemy’s backline. Use your speed and ultimate to chase down priority targets and reduce their stamina. Positioning is key, as you need to close gaps quickly and be ready to absorb damage for your team.

3. Deadlock Yamato Guide

Yamato is a highly skilled hero whose ultimate allows her to become invincible and reset all her abilities, making her a dangerous presence on the battlefield once she reaches full power.

Strengths:

  • High skill ceiling, capable of dominating once mastered.
  • Outstanding mobility and pursuit abilities, ideal for chasing down enemies.
  • Excellent duelist and split-pusher.

Weaknesses:

  • Very fragile early on, requiring time to scale.
  • Risks engaging without her ultimate, as she can be easily overwhelmed.

How to Play: Focus on surviving the early game while stacking damage and mobility. Once you have your ultimate, look for opportunities to reset and unleash your full potential. Be patient and wait for your ultimate before engaging in high-risk situations.

4. Deadlock Dynamo Guide

Dynamo plays a crucial support role but can still carry a game with his powerful utility. He excels at healing, buffing, and providing key crowd control to his team.

Strengths:

  • Singularity provides one of the best engages in the game, offering great initiation.
  • Can heal and buff allies while staying mobile.
  • His Quantum Entanglement offers a unique level of utility to his team.

Weaknesses:

  • Weaker early game, as his two non-damage abilities can’t secure kills.
  • Vulnerable to crowd control, as Singularity can be canceled.
  • Lacks mobility, making him vulnerable in fast-paced fights.

How to Play: Dynamo shines in team fights. Use Singularity to initiate fights and reposition enemies. Keep your allies topped off with AoE healing and use Quantum Entanglement for support and utility. You should always be looking for the right moment to engage and keep your team alive.

5. Deadlock Grey Talon Guide

Grey Talon is a master of ranged combat, excelling at both poke damage and sustained fire. His unique ability to impact fights from across the map with his ultimate makes him a dangerous adversary.

Strengths:

  • Strong scaling with Spirit Power, especially as the game progresses.
  • One of the best long-range pokers in the game with his Charged Shot.
  • Immobilizing Trap makes it easy to set up kills with allies.

Weaknesses:

  • Can fall behind if he doesn’t get early farm or protection.
  • Lacks mobility, making him vulnerable to gap-closing enemies.
  • Needs strong team support in late-game teamfights.

How to Play: Use your ranged abilities to poke from a distance and control objectives with traps. Focus on stacking Spirit Power and positioning yourself in a safe spot during the late game to ensure your sustained DPS remains effective.

6. Deadlock Seven Talon Guide

Seven is an easy-to-learn hero with a lot of depth, specializing in massive AoE damage and crowd control. He excels in dealing with groups of enemies, making him an ideal choice for players who like to dish out thunderous damage.

Strengths:

  • Massive AoE damage scaling as the game progresses.
  • Excellent at farming and pushing lanes, with great neutral clear.
  • Has a stun for ganks or protection.

Weaknesses:

  • Lacks innate mobility, so positioning is crucial.
  • Struggles against champions that specialize in long-range combat.
  • Vulnerable to crowd control, especially during his ultimate channel.

How to Play: Seven thrives in teamfights, where his AoE damage can shine. Use your stun to protect your team or initiate ganks, and look to use your ultimate when you can hit multiple enemies. Positioning is critical, as you need to avoid being caught out by enemies with mobility or CC.

7. Deadlock Paradox Talon Guide

Paradox is a high-skill hero who rewards players with a deep understanding of her mechanics. She can shine on her own or in teamplay, where her unique Paradoxical Swap ability can create game-changing opportunities.

Strengths:

  • Highly versatile with tools for all situations.
  • Great potential for playmaking with Paradoxical Swap.
  • High skill ceiling, offering room for creativity.

Weaknesses:

  • Hard to master, making her a challenging pick for newer players.
  • Lacks mobility and escape abilities, making her vulnerable.
  • Relies heavily on team coordination to make full use of her kit.

How to Play: Use Paradoxical Swap strategically to disrupt enemy positioning or save teammates. Mastering this ability requires practice, so be patient and focus on timing. She works best when your team can help you maximize her potential.

8. Deadlock Mirage Guide

Mirage excels at both chasing down foes and aiding teammates with his unique blend of offense and utility. He can create a powerful tornado that lifts enemies into the air, providing both a catch-up tool and a way to disrupt multiple foes. His Fire Scarabs grant sustained damage and durability, making him a reliable choice against tank-heavy compositions. With his Traveler ability, Mirage has unparalleled map mobility, allowing him to quickly support allies or punish opponents across the battlefield.

Strengths:

  • Tornado: Provides one of the best non-ultimate abilities, ideal for catching and displacing enemies.
  • Fire Scarabs: Boost his survivability in fights, especially effective against tanky enemies.
  • Traveler: Grants top-tier map control, making him a constant threat anywhere.

Weaknesses:

  • Falling Behind: If Mirage doesn’t get an early lead, he can become less impactful.
  • Skill-Dependent: Requires accuracy to make the most of Djinn's Mark.
  • Map Awareness: Fully utilizing Traveler demands a good sense of timing and positioning.

How to play: Use Fire Scarabs to establish early control and sustain. Master the Tornado to disrupt enemy formations and capitalize on the Traveler ability for superior map mobility. Precision with Djinn's Mark is crucial for maximizing combat effectiveness. Mirage excels when synergizing his abilities with team coordination.

9. Deadlock Abrams Guide

Abrams is a tank with impressive durability and damage potential, making him ideal for frontline engagements. With a straightforward playstyle, Abrams can take and deal substantial damage, using his high mobility to close distances quickly and stun enemies. His kit focuses on close-range dominance, positioning, and crowd control, making him a great ganker in tight spaces.

Strengths:

  • Survivability: His abilities provide both health recovery and high damage resistance.
  • Mobility and Positioning: Abrams can move quickly to outmaneuver opponents and deal high damage up close.
  • Crowd Control: Excels at controlling narrow areas, perfect for trapping and overwhelming enemies.

Weaknesses:

  • Limited Range: Struggles at long distances, especially when his gap-closer is on cooldown.
  • Vulnerable to Anti-Healing: Items or abilities that reduce healing can counter his sustain.
  • Wide-Open Battles: Not as effective in open areas where he’s exposed to multiple ranged attacks and crowd control.

How to play: Utilize Abrams' Shield Surge to effectively protect teammates and control enemy movement. Mastering his Seismic Slam is crucial for disrupting enemy formations and setting up kills. Use his ultimate, Groundbreaker, strategically in team fights to maximize damage and impact. Abrams excels when leading the charge and coordinating closely with his team.

10. Deadlock Vindicta Guide

Vindicta is a skilled sniper, with an emphasis on positioning and long-range kills. Instead of grappling, she takes to the skies, using her Flight ability to gain elevated vantage points. Vindicta’s ability to collect extra Souls from kills with Assassinate helps her snowball into a powerful force, often gaining a lead that benefits her team.

Strengths:

  • Strong Laning Phase: Reliable poke and snare attacks, with Flight to access elevated positions.
  • Snowball Potential: Assassinate rewards successful kills with bonus Souls, allowing her to build momentum quickly.
  • Map Impact: Can influence fights in nearby lanes, giving her team an advantage.

Weaknesses:

  • Vulnerability on Ground: Her lack of horizontal mobility makes her susceptible when not airborne.
  • Reliant on a Good Start: Struggles to recover if she falls behind.
  • Limited Crowd Control: Has only one crowd-control ability, Stake, reducing her options in team fights.

How to play: Use Stealth Drive to position Vindicta strategically, making her excellent for ambushes. Master her Energy Blades to maximize burst damage in skirmishes. Deploy Phantom Strike in team fights to disrupt and damage key targets. Vindicta excels with hit-and-run tactics and precise timing.

11. Deadlock Lash Guide

Lash is a high-speed, melee-focused hero who shines in close-quarters combat. Known for his relentless gap-closing and ability combos, he’s able to dive into the heart of enemy teams and unleash devastating burst damage. While highly effective when played well, Lash demands mechanical skill and timing, as missing his abilities can leave him exposed.

Strengths:

  • Exceptional Mobility: One of the best gap-closing capabilities, allowing him to engage and disengage rapidly.
  • Strong Crowd Control: Effective in both small skirmishes and larger team fights.
  • Burst Damage: Capable of quickly taking down targets when his combos are executed correctly.

Weaknesses:

  • Mechanically Intensive: Requires precise execution to make the most of his combo.
  • Fragile Against CC: Low tankiness makes him vulnerable to stuns and other crowd control if not timed carefully.
  • Weakness to Ranged Enemies: Easily countered by opponents who can keep their distance and poke him from afar.

How to play: Utilize Lash's Grappling Hook to maneuver quickly around the battlefield and engage or disengage from fights effectively. Master his Whip Strike to deal damage and disrupt enemy positioning. Use the Shockwave ultimate strategically in team fights for maximum impact. Lash excels with mobility and control, making him a dynamic force in skirmishes.

12. Deadlock Ivy Guide

Ivy stands out as a highly versatile hero, able to take on various roles based on her build and team needs. Whether you play her as a DPS, support, or roaming fighter, she adapts well. Ivy’s unique ability to fly and even transport allies makes her a valuable asset, and her defensive options provide her with great survivability.

Strengths:

  • High Mobility: Can fly and has the highest base Stamina, giving her unmatched movement options.
  • Flexibility: Effective solo or with teammates, adaptable to various roles.
  • Resilience: Hard to kill thanks to her escape abilities, self-healing, and Stone Form.

Weaknesses:

  • Countered by Anti-Healing: Items or abilities that prevent healing can reduce her effectiveness.
  • Stone Form Cooldown: Requires careful use, as it has a long cooldown, so timing is crucial.
  • Coordination-Dependent: To maximize her ultimate, she benefits from synchronized teamwork.

How to play: Use Ivy’s Nature’s Grasp to control the battlefield by rooting enemies, making her excellent for initiating fights or protecting retreats. Master her Healing Bloom to sustain teammates during prolonged engagements. Deploy her ultimate, Overgrowth, strategically in team fights to immobilize and damage multiple opponents. Ivy excels in supporting roles, enhancing team survivability and controlling enemy movement.

How to Enhancing Your Gaming Experience with LagoFast

To enhance your Deadlock gaming experience, using  LagoFast can help. Here’s how it can improve your gameplay:   

  1. Reduce Lag: LagoFast helps reduce lag by optimizing your internet connection, ensuring smoother gameplay.
  2. Improve FPS: LagoFast enhances system performance, leading to better FPS and reduced stuttering during intense gameplay.
  3. Stabilize Connection: LagoFast stabilizes your connection and ensures minimal packet loss, leading to a more consistent experience.
  4. Easy to Use: LagoFast is user-friendly and can be set up quickly, allowing you to focus on the game.

How to use LagoFast Game Booster on PC

Step 1: Start by clicking on the Free Trial button to download and install LagoFast Free Trial.

 Free Trial

Step 2:  Once the installation is complete, open the LagoFast application and use the search bar to find Deadlock. Select it from the list of games that appear.

 

Step 3: Choose a server that is geographically closest to you, or pick the one with the lowest latency to ensure the best possible performance.

 

Step 4: Once LagoFast has optimized your connection, simply return to Deadlock and enjoy a significantly smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

 

Conclusion

Deadlock is an exciting and dynamic game that requires strategy, skill, and teamwork. By understanding the mechanics, choosing the right heroes, and using tools like LagoFast to optimize your gaming experience, you can improve your performance and enjoy the game to its fullest. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, mastering the heroes and game strategies will set you on the path to success in Deadlock.