Well, this certainly makes a change from your average Deadlock update! Gone, seemingly, are the small bug fixes and updates, as the developer completely overhauls the number of Deadlock items you can equip, how many of each category you can equip, redesigns parts of the map, changes up default builds, and more than can reasonably fit into a run-on sentence.
Perhaps the most important change which is the death knell for all current Deadlock builds is the change to items. Gone are the days when you had four Weapon slots, four Vitality slots, four Spirit slots, and four Flex slots which unlocked as your team achieved certain objectives. Now, you are limited to eight completely flexible slots, and four bonus slots which unlock as you take objectives.
This shift from 16 to 12 items will force players to be much more selective about their choice of items, and yet the added flexibility enabling Deadlock heroes to field up to 12 items in a single category (though, that might not be the best idea) also opens up a ton of interesting combinations. In the wake of this change, Valve has kindly updated all of the default Deadlock builds associated to each character.
Putting aside the mechanics of this change, Valve has also overhauled its artwork of items, the Curiosity Shop menu, and several hero designs.
Moving onto the Deadlock map, the overall layout hasn’t changed massively, but individual locations and points of interest have, including the home base. Numerous buildings have been lowered, the Boutique has been redesigned, and doorways have been widened (of which I’m sure Mo & Krill are very appreciative).
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Deadlock update if it didn’t also have a raft of bug fixes, balances, hero changes, and item reworks (and renames, in this case). Fortunately, we’ve already updated our databases with all the latest data, so you can browse your favorite heroes and items with confidence.
Honestly, there are so many changes that Deadlock feels like it has had a fresh lick of paint, one that will absolutely force a shift in the current meta, and one that is worth your exploring. For a full list of changes, make sure to check out the official but very long patch notes.
