Valve Unveils Major Deadlock Update: Revamped Item Shop, Gameplay Enhancements, and Secret Playtests
May 9, 2025
New build authoring tools have been introduced, enabling players to tag items, set priorities, and customize Quickbuy preferences for more precise strategy execution.
Numerous hero adjustments have been made, enhancing abilities, animations, and effects for a range of characters, promoting diversity in gameplay strategies.
Enhancements to the Quickbuy feature include a larger user interface for better item management and the introduction of a new hotkey for quick access.
The patch also includes a comprehensive rebalance of hero stats and abilities, alongside adjustments to various gameplay mechanics affecting combat, objectives, and resource acquisition.
The update features a complete overhaul of the item shop, reducing the number of item slots from 16 to 12 and allowing players to mix items from different categories for more creative builds.
Game feel and optimization adjustments have been made to enhance player targeting, reduce jitter in player movement, and improve the overall responsiveness of abilities and actions.
Map alterations include a shift from four to three lanes, redesigned buildings for improved flow, and new movement mechanics like wall jumps and slides to enhance gameplay dynamics.
Valve is conducting secret playtests to explore new heroes and game mechanics, hinting at potential innovations not yet public.
Additionally, sound, music, and voice-over elements have been updated to enhance the in-game audio experience, while the user interface has been improved for better usability and clarity.
New item discounts have been introduced for players who own components of items, enhancing the purchasing experience.
Looking ahead, Valve plans to release less frequent but larger updates as development progresses, with speculation suggesting a launch window in late 2025 or early 2026.
Valve has released a significant update for Deadlock on May 8, 2025, marking a pivotal development phase for the game with extensive changes.
Summary based on 3 sources
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Sources

TalkEsport • May 9, 2025
New Deadlock Update Completely Reworks Shop & Item Slots: Full Patch Notes
The Game Haus • May 8, 2025
Deadlock Shop Rework Patch is Live: First Look at the Update
9meters • May 9, 2025
Deadlock Major Update: Valve Rebuilds Item Shop and Refines Core Systems - 9meters