Valve has rolled out one of the most significant updates for Deadlock since the game entered closed beta testing. The “Old Gods, New Blood” update, released on January 22-23, 2026, introduces sweeping changes that transform how players experience this innovative third-person MOBA. From a brand-new game mode to six fresh heroes and a completely revamped user interface, this patch represents Valve’s commitment to evolving Deadlock into a competitive powerhouse.
What's New in the Deadlock Old Gods Update?
The Old Gods, New Blood update addresses player feedback across multiple fronts: gameplay variety, hero diversity, visual clarity, and quality of life improvements. Released on January 22-23, 2026, this marks one of the most substantial patches in Deadlock’s closed beta testing period.
Update Highlights:
- Street Brawl Mode – Fast-paced 4v4 game mode with simplified mechanics
- Six New Heroes – Community-voted hero releases at two per week
- Complete UI Redesign – Enhanced readability and visual clarity
- Map Visual Overhaul – Updated bases, bosses, and environmental details
- MVP System Rework – Improved player recognition and post-match statistics
- Performance Optimizations – Smoother gameplay and better framerates
- Quality of Life Features – Enhanced communication tools and matchmaking
This comprehensive update demonstrates Valve’s commitment to refining Deadlock based on community feedback while preparing the game for a broader release. Each change targets specific player concerns raised during the beta testing phase, from accessibility issues to competitive gameplay depth.
Deadlock Street Brawl Mode: New 4v4 Game Mode Explained
The headline feature of this update is Street Brawl, a compact game mode designed for players who want intense action without the time commitment of traditional MOBA matches. This mode strips away the lengthy laning phase and farming mechanics that define classic Deadlock gameplay.
Street Brawl features 4v4 team battles in a best-of-five rounds format, where each round lasts just a few minutes and the first team to three round wins claims victory. Unlike the standard mode, there’s no farming or last-hitting required—all players start each round with equal resources. The streamlined item system lets players select three items per round to add to their inventory, eliminating complex economic decisions.
This mode serves as an excellent entry point for new players intimidated by Deadlock’s complexity while giving veterans a quick-match option for casual sessions. The simplified economy and shorter match times make Street Brawl perfect for players with limited time or those looking to practice team fighting without the 30-40 minute commitment of standard matches.
Six New Deadlock Heroes: Release Schedule and Voting System
Valve is adding six new heroes to Deadlock’s roster with a unique twist: the community decides which heroes arrive first through an innovative voting system. Heroes release gradually at two per week, with players earning voting tokens by completing matches. The community then votes to determine which heroes arrive next, ensuring the most anticipated heroes release first based on player choice.
This approach prevents overwhelming players with too many new mechanics at once while allowing the development team to monitor and balance each hero carefully. It gives the community agency in shaping the game’s evolution and creates ongoing excitement between releases.
The Six New Heroes:
The update introduces Apollo, Celeste, Graves, Rem (also known as Drem), Silver, and Quinn (formerly known as Venator in development). While Valve has kept specific ability details under wraps, community leaks and data mining have revealed some information about these upcoming characters:
It’s important to note that specific ability details come from community leaks and data mining rather than official Valve announcements, so abilities and balance may change before and after release. These new heroes promise to diversify team compositions and introduce fresh strategies to Deadlock’s evolving meta.
Deadlock UI Overhaul: Complete Interface Redesign
One of the most common criticisms of Deadlock has been visual clarity during chaotic team fights. Valve has addressed this comprehensively with extensive UI improvements designed to make information more accessible and readable.
Major UI Improvements:
- Redesigned damage numbers with color-coded damage types
- Clearer boss health bars and player health displays
- Semi-transparent objects between hero and camera (no more forced zoom)
- Revamped timer displays and cooldown indicators
- Search functionality in settings menu
- Crosshair customization (color, size, style)
- Advanced camera settings (distance, sensitivity, FOV)
The camera system now makes objects between your hero and camera semi-transparent instead of simply zooming in, dramatically improving situational awareness during team fights. These changes make Deadlock significantly more approachable for new players while giving veterans the precision controls they demand.
Deadlock Map Changes: Updated Bases, Bosses, and Visuals
The Old Gods, New Blood update brings substantial visual improvements to Deadlock’s core map that enhance both aesthetics and gameplay clarity. Both team bases feature new architecture and layout with improved visual distinction between the two sides and enhanced atmospheric details. Boss encounters have been redesigned with new visual effects, while updated creep models offer better readability and improved animation quality across all NPCs.
Environmental polish includes enhanced lighting throughout the map, new environmental details and props, plus optimized performance without sacrificing visual quality. These changes aren’t just cosmetic—they improve gameplay clarity by making it easier to identify different areas of the map and distinguish between various game elements during intense fights.
Deadlock MVP System and Match Statistics Update
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Valve has completely reworked how Deadlock recognizes player achievements with a more sophisticated approach to performance tracking. The new MVP system uses an advanced algorithm that considers multiple performance factors beyond kills, highlighting different contribution types including damage, support, and objective control for a more accurate representation of player impact.
Enhanced post-match screens provide detailed statistical breakdowns for each player with visual graphs showing performance trends throughout the match. Comparison tools let you see how you stack up against teammates and opponents, with exportable match data for analysis. These features help players understand their impact and identify areas for improvement, essential for a competitive MOBA.
The update also includes better ping system for communication, improved matchmaking algorithms, performance optimizations for smoother gameplay, bug fixes addressing community-reported issues, and enhanced audio design for better spatial awareness.
How to Get Access to Deadlock in 2025
Deadlock remains in closed beta testing, with access requiring an invitation from someone who already has access to the game. Full patch notes are available on the official Deadlock website at playdeadlock.com/oldgods, with updates also posted on the game’s Steam page and community discussions on Reddit and Discord.
What Deadlock's Old Gods Update Means for the Future
The Old Gods, New Blood update demonstrates Valve’s commitment to iterating on Deadlock based on player feedback. The massive scope of these changes—touching everything from core gameplay to interface design—suggests the game is approaching a more polished state ahead of a potential full release.
The hero voting system represents an interesting experiment in community-driven development, while improved UI clarity, Street Brawl practice mode, and better post-match analysis tools position Deadlock more aggressively in the competitive MOBA space. These features are essential for a game that aspires to have a thriving esports scene.
FAQ: Deadlock Old Gods Update
A Defining Moment for Deadlock
The Old Gods, New Blood update represents the most ambitious changes to Valve’s Deadlock since it entered testing. By introducing Street Brawl mode, six new heroes with a community voting system, and comprehensive UI improvements, Valve is addressing player concerns while pushing the game toward a more polished, accessible experience.
Whether you’re a veteran player looking for new content or a curious newcomer waiting for your invitation, this update signals that Deadlock is evolving rapidly. The combination of new gameplay modes, enhanced clarity, and community-driven content releases positions Deadlock as a serious contender in the competitive MOBA landscape.
As Valve continues to refine and expand Deadlock, updates like Old Gods, New Blood demonstrate the studio’s vision for creating a MOBA that respects player time, rewards skill, and embraces community feedback. The future looks bright for this ambitious third-person shooter-MOBA hybrid.
