Short answers to the questions people ask most about Deadlock. Each one links to the full guide if you want more.
The game
What is Deadlock?
A free 6v6 hero shooter from Valve, mixed with a MOBA. You fight in third person with guns, abilities and melee, while pushing lanes of troopers toward the enemy base, earning souls and buying items. Full explanation: what is Deadlock.
Who makes Deadlock?
Valve, the studio behind Half-Life, Portal, Counter-Strike and Dota 2. It runs on Valve’s Source 2 engine.
Is Deadlock a MOBA or a shooter?
Both. The moment-to-moment play is a third-person shooter, but the structure (lanes, troopers, towers, a shop and a base to destroy) comes from MOBAs like Dota 2.
Is this site official?
No. Deadlock Handbook is an independent fan guide and isn’t affiliated with Valve. See about us.
Access and price
Is Deadlock free?
Yes. It costs nothing to play, and Steam tags it as free to play.
How do I get Deadlock?
It’s still invite-only. A Steam friend who already has the game sends you an invite from inside Deadlock. You can’t buy access or sign up anywhere. Step by step: how to get Deadlock. You can also swap friend codes in the #invites channel of our Discord.
When does Deadlock come out?
There’s no release date. Valve’s Steam page says “To be announced” and describes the game as in early development, and no open beta has been announced.
Why didn’t my invite arrive?
Most often because the Steam account is limited: accounts that have never spent money on Steam can’t receive playtest invites. Spending at least 5 USD on Steam lifts the limit. Invites can also take from a few hours to a couple of days to appear. More in how to get Deadlock.
Platforms and performance
What platforms is Deadlock on?
Windows PC through Steam. There’s no Mac or console version.
Can I play Deadlock on Steam Deck or Linux?
Not officially. Players run it on Linux and the Steam Deck through Valve’s Proton compatibility layer, and Deadlock has Steam Input controller support, but Valve doesn’t list either as supported. Expect problems; see troubleshooting.
What are the system requirements?
Valve hasn’t published any. The Steam page lists them as to be announced. If your PC runs Counter-Strike 2 or Dota 2 well, it will most likely run Deadlock well. Tuning tips: best settings and performance.
Can I use a controller?
Yes, through Steam Input. The game is built around mouse and keyboard, though, and that’s what almost everyone plays with.
Playing
How many heroes are there?
Forty-two playable heroes as of October 13, 2026, with two more from the City Never Sleeps update due on October 16 and 20. See every hero and the new heroes’ release dates.
How long is a match?
A standard 6v6 match usually takes 25 to 45 minutes. Street Brawl is a 4v4 series of short rounds, usually much quicker. See every game mode.
What game modes are there?
Standard 6v6, Ranked, Street Brawl (4v4), bot matches, the Sandbox, Explore NYC and custom matches, plus a tutorial. All explained in every game mode.
Can I play with friends?
Yes. You can party up in Standard with no limit on party size or skill gaps. Ranked only allows solo or duo queues. Custom matches take up to 12 players.
Is there ranked?
Yes. You need 60 Standard wins and three heroes unlocked for Ranked. Season 1 ends on November 5, 2026. See how ranked works and every rank tier.
Can I play against bots?
Yes. Bot Match lets you play Standard or Street Brawl against bots on easy, medium or hard, alone or with friends. See bot matches and custom matches.
Is there a tutorial?
Yes. Find the Basic Tutorial on the Learn to Play terminal in your Hideout. Play it before your first match, then read your first 10 matches.
Which hero should I play first?
Pick someone forgiving. Our best heroes for beginners list explains why each one is easy to learn.
Updates
How often is Deadlock updated?
Very often: more than 50 updates in 2026 by early October, with balance changes several times a month. See the latest patch and the patch history.
How do I know if a guide is out of date?
Every page on this site shows the patch it was last checked against. If something’s changed, tell us in #site-feedback on our Discord.
Problems
The game crashes, stutters or won’t launch. What do I do?
Start with our troubleshooting guide. The usual fixes are verifying the game files, updating your graphics driver, switching off overlays and trying the DirectX 11 launch option.
Numbers on this page are checked against the game and the community-run Deadlock Wiki. Spotted something a patch changed? Tell us in #site-feedback on our Discord.