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Deadlock is played on a symmetrical map with three lanes — and the goal is to push through each lane’s defences to destroy the enemy Patron in their base. Along the way you take down Guardians, then Walkers, then the base — while fighting over neutral objectives like the Soul Urn and the Mid-Boss that swing games.
Here is the Deadlock map explained — the three lanes, the order you destroy objectives, and when to rotate for the game-changing neutral fights.
The Deadlock map & lanes
Three lanes link the two bases, each defended by a chain of objectives.
| Lane / objective | Role | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Three lanes | Routes | Side and mid lanes you push to reach the enemy base |
| Guardian | First defence | The outer tower in each lane — destroy it first |
| Walker | Second defence | A walking tower; killing it unlocks a flex item slot |
| Base Guardians | Inner defence | Protect the two Shrines at the heart of the base |
| Shrines (x2) | Pre-Patron | Both must fall to expose the Patron |
| Patron | Win condition | The final boss-objective, destroyed in two phases |
| Soul Urn | Neutral | Spawns centrally (~10 min); deliver it for a soul reward |
| Mid-Boss | Neutral | A Roshan-style boss granting a powerful team buff |
How a match flows
Deadlock blends MOBA lane structure with third-person shooter combat. You start in one of the three lanes, farming souls off enemy troopers and taking down the Guardian that defends it. Next comes the Walker, a mobile tower — destroying an enemy Walker rewards your whole team and unlocks an extra flex item slot. From there you break into the base, where Base Guardians protect two Shrines; both Shrines must fall before the Patron becomes vulnerable. The Patron dies in two phases: it first lifts into the air to fight back, and only after a second push does it go down for the win. Verticality matters throughout — ziplines ring the map and let you rotate between lanes fast.
Key objectives explained
The four map objectives that decide most games.
Key push
Tempo swing
Game-changer
Endgame
New to the game? See our Deadlock beginner’s guide, best beginner heroes and best items guide.
What to do when
Where to focus as the match develops.
| Game stage | Priority |
|---|---|
| Early (laning) | Farm souls and take your lane’s Guardian |
| Mid (~10 min) | Contest the Soul Urn and push Walkers |
| Late (grouped) | Take the Mid-Boss buff before a base push |
| Closing | Break both Shrines, then the Patron in two phases |
Deadlock map FAQ
Deadlock is in active development, and the map has changed significantly during testing. Objective names, timings and layout can shift between patches — we update this guide as Valve reworks the map.
