Discuss Deadlock update 06.12.2024: new hero and fixes

[exi]

The last patch for the game Deadlock came out on December 6, and, you know, it turned out pretty interesting! It seems like small changes, but altogether they can strongly affect how we will play our favorite Deadlock. So let’s run through the main updates in the patch and think about how it all will affect your favorite heroes and play style.

​

They adjusted the heroes — who got lucky, and who didn’t?

The first thing that catches the eye is the balance adjustments of the characters. If you play one of them, then get ready for some small surprises — both good and not so good.


Abrams — stronger in the long run, but a little weaker at short distance

Abrams was already a pretty stable hero in every Deadlock update, but now his DPS was slightly reduced — from 4.68 to 4.5. Basically, it seems like a small thing, but in fights at short distances it can play its role. But his ability Spirit Siphon is now multiplied by 0.65 instead of 0.5, so in the long run it’s profitable, because hp will recover faster and deal damage more effectively. By the way, this can affect his popularity among players who like to farm the forest and wait for the late game.

My forecast: with these changes he will become more stable in prolonged fights, but in fast ones — he will slightly lag behind other heroes. For players who prefer team play and occasionally “heal” allies, this is definitely a plus.


Bebop — remained mobile, but there is less control

For Bebop, the changes in the new Deadlock are more noticeable. Previously his Uppercut completely blocked enemy movement for 1 second, but now his control is reduced to 0.5 seconds. At first glance, it may seem like a small thing, but for players who like to use Bebop as a “stunner”, roam and harass, it can cause some inconveniences.

On the other hand, he still remains a threat at close range, so don’t rush to give him up. Just now you might have to think a little more about the timing.


Dynamo — now he is even more versatile

​

Dynamo also was not left out in the patch notes. His ability Quantum Entanglement now does not disrupt the target if he is silenced while capturing the target. It seems like a rare moment and a small thing, but especially in dynamic fights catching such a bug was very unpleasant. However, the damage from Singularity and Kinetic Pulse has decreased. The hero was nerfed and this will most likely weaken him in the early game, but in long battles he will still be useful thanks to control and support.

I think Dynamo will become an even more versatile hero. He is not as aggressive as before, but in the right hands, with a smart team, he can become a real “card” that completely changes the course of the game.


Ivy — tank, but with caveats

Ivy has always been a pretty bulky tank with good characteristics, but now her health was slightly “cut” (from 550 to 525). Plus, her damage to enemies was reduced by 15%. It seems like a small thing, but for a player who is used to her endurance, such changes can become an unpleasant surprise. This is clearly aimed at making Ivy not so unbreakable as before, and maybe now other tanks will look more profitable.

Nevertheless, this does not mean that Ivy is now “too weak”. It’s just that if before you could almost mindlessly tank on her and withstand a huge amount of damage, now you’ll have to play more carefully.


McGinnis — turrets became “more durable”

​

Now regarding McGinnis. His turrets now live longer, but shoot a little slower. This is actually an interesting change. Of course, at first it might seem that the decrease in shooting speed is not cool, but considering that now they live longer, it can compensate for the loss in damage. Plus, with increased turret health, they will be harder to destroy, which will open up new possibilities for map control.

In general, McGinnis will most likely become even more useful in long games where you have time to set up and control positions, but in fast, aggressive battles he might be less effective.

Player conveniences — interface improvements

What’s new? Interface and map rendering update! Now it’s easier to track the stats of your opponents and see which heroes were the most effective. For everyone who loves to study statistics and build their game on data, it’s just awesome.

Also, the developers made the interface a bit more convenient — now it’s easier to switch between languages and find the needed builds. It’s not something super cool, but small improvements always make the game more pleasant.


New hero — Raven! (if you haven’t seen yet)

​

Oh yeah, almost forgot! A new hero appeared in the update — Raven. So far he is only available in Hero Labs, but already at the start it causes a lot of curiosity. Rumor has it that Raven will have unique mechanics that can slightly affect the game balance, but for now it’s hard to say how exactly. I think his appearance will make players look at team compositions in a new way.


Changes to weapons and items

​

To top it off — a few changes to items. For example, Basic Magazine now gives 3% less damage bonus, and Close Quarters became less effective for close combat. At the same time, Frenzy and Berserker now give significantly larger bonuses to damage and health, which should make them more attractive for aggressive players. So, it’s time to adjust your builds to the nerfed and buffed items!


What does it all mean?

In general, this Deadlock patch is clearly aimed at making the game more balanced and interesting. With less emphasis on “strong” heroes and more on team play, strategic approach, and smart use of each character’s abilities.

So, if you love Deadlock, this update will be a great opportunity to experiment with new tactics and heroes. In general, there’s something to look forward to!

In this article, I reviewed the most relevant and important changes from my point of view, and the full list of fixes is available on the