Valve’s long-in-development hero shooter Deadlock received a sweeping update today, introducing six new heroes, a major visual overhaul of its maps, and more than 10,000 new voice lines — a clear signal that the studio remains deeply committed to the title two years after its surprise reveal.
The patch, which landed for players with access to the game, arrives roughly two years after Valve first unveiled Deadlock as a closely guarded secret project. Despite never being formally launched — players still require an invite from someone with access to join — the free-to-play, MOBA-adjacent title has continued to receive regular content updates, and today’s is among the most substantial yet.
Six New Heroes Join the Roster
The headline addition is a batch of six new playable characters, each bringing distinct abilities to Deadlock’s competitive matches. The newcomers include Nurse Harrow, a stern-looking medical figure; Rat King, an anthropomorphic rodent crowned as monarch; Solomon, a chess-playing strategist; Deadman Danny, a zombie evoking mid-century aviator aesthetics; Baba, a gentle, witch-like elder woman; and Violet, an artist.
These additions expand an already diverse cast, reinforcing Deadlock’s identity as a character-driven competitive game where hero design and team composition matter as much as individual skill.
A Visual Overhaul Across the Maps
Beyond the new heroes, the update delivers a sweeping visual refresh. All three main lanes have been redesigned, each embracing a distinct aesthetic: the blue lane leans into a New York mid-century look, the green lane adopts a gothic atmosphere, and the yellow lane channels an industrial, Wall Street-inspired mood. The four districts have also been reworked, featuring a theatre-district setting, a Chinatown-inspired area, a genuinely haunted zone, and a polished central plaza.
The map changes are complemented by a broad refresh of the game’s user interface and heads-up display. Players will find clearer healthbars, improved stat indicators, and a new event feed that highlights a match’s most pivotal moments. The ping system has been reworked, alongside other communication-related tools, to streamline teamwork.
The full scope of today’s changes is detailed in Valve’s official update notes, which catalogue the new heroes, map redesigns, interface improvements, and a bevy of accessibility options.
Valve — Deadlock update notes
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