Tips to avoid losing in Deadlock

Deadlock is one of the most played shooting games on Steam, despite still being in a closed alpha phase. The game harmoniously combines MOBA and shooting mechanics, which helps it continue to be popular with each update. However, due to the MOBA nature, winning Deadlock can be very difficult for new players. Many people get stuck at low rankings, even after spending hundreds of hours playing, leading to burnout.

However, don’t worry too much. The simple tips below can help you avoid losing early when playing Deadlock.

Fight smart

One of the most important strategies to not lose a match in Deadlock is to choose smart fights.

Before planning a surprise attack or direct engagement, always ask yourself: “Can I win, or even if I lose, will I receive any benefits?“The important idea is to avoid direct 1v1 fights with champions that have a higher amount of souls than you. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t fight them throughout the match; it just means creating a situation in your favor.

This can be done by properly combining the skills of teammates or purchasing specific items that can close the soul gap during fights. For example, when fighting a player using “Dash Infernus” who is superior in souls, buying Silent Wave or teaming up with a champion that can momentarily stun the enemy can completely turn the tide of battle in your favor. So, farm items or move with allies appropriately to create favorable fights that you can win.

Additionally, you can always deal with opponents who are not well positioned. For example, if someone is alone near your champion, you can coordinate with your allies to surprise attack and take them down quickly. The same applies to enemies that try to steal your jungle (mid lane monsters).

Don’t rush to give up when you lose your tank

The match has just begun, and within 5 minutes, you’ve lost your lane tank. This situation may sound familiar, but don’t think it’s over here. That’s not actually the case, as Deadlock’s laning phase has a minimal impact on the overall match, thanks to its powerful reversal mechanics. The only reason you lose a game right after losing your lane tank early is because you don’t apply pressure.

Keep your advance moving even after losing them. You don’t have to play aggressively to get a tank in a losing lane, just keeping the lane pushed up will prevent your lane opponent from leaving and ganking elsewhere.

This way, your allies can still win their lane without being interfered with too early. If your opponent leaves lane to gank, you have the perfect opportunity to move in and take the Guardian once the lane is pushed up. That way, you can punish your opponent’s decisions and gain an advantage over them.

Always buy vitality or green equipment

Equipping vitality directly increases HP, helping you become more “buff” in combat. Those who don’t buy green items will often be killed in one hit against champions that deal explosive damage or in team fights.

Every champion in Deadlock, whether tank, support or damage dealer, must spend 4.8k gold on green equipment per match. Reaching the 4.8k vitality mark can significantly increase a character’s HP and actually make them more useful in team fights.

There are many vitality items to choose from, suitable for all types of champions, such as Battle Vest, Bullet Lifesteal, or Fury Trance to reach the 4.8k mark. If you’re still regularly getting knocked down by explosive damage from Spirit, choosing Spirit Resilience or Spell Breaker can be crucial to winning. Likewise, equipping Metal Skin, Return Fire, or Bullet Resistance against gun-wielding characters is an effective way to neutralize them.