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.
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.
