On December 6, 2024, a major update was released for Deadlock, introducing a new experimental hero, Raven, alongside various gameplay improvements and balance adjustments.
New Hero: Raven
Raven, also known as the Operative, is a Soviet special agent with a mysterious backstory. His primary mission revolves around the resurrection of Catherine the Great. With his sleek appearance and tactical skill set, Raven brings a fresh dynamic to the battlefield. He is currently available in Hero Labs mode for testing and feedback.
Raven’s Abilities
- Concussion Grenade: Throws a grenade that disorients enemies, reducing their turn rate. Attacks from behind affected enemies deal increased damage.
- Umbrella Dash: Uses his umbrella to catch wind, propelling himself backward while firing an explosive round from the umbrella’s tip.
- Passive Ability: Increases Raven’s rate of fire, giving him an edge in fast-paced combat situations.
- Ultimate Ability: Slows and damages enemies who make direct eye contact with him. Prolonged eye contact curses enemies, amplifying the damage they take.
Visual Design
Raven’s visual design reflects his identity as a cunning and sophisticated spy. Dressed in a sharp white suit and equipped with an umbrella that doubles as a weapon, Raven exudes a style reminiscent of classic espionage characters.
Key Update Features
Map Enhancements
The purple lane received a thematic overhaul, transforming into a vibrant park with updated tree models and interactive elements such as canopies that affect player movement.
User Interface Improvements
The main leaderboard now highlights players’ top three heroes alongside their overall skill rating. Post-game surveys have been integrated into the final score screen, allowing for seamless player feedback.
Communication Enhancements
Muting a player now blocks their pings, map drawings, and chat wheel messages, ensuring a more focused and enjoyable team experience.
Performance Optimizations
Various adjustments were made to improve rendering efficiency, resulting in smoother gameplay across all maps.
Localization Options
New settings allow players to display hero and item names in English, regardless of the game’s interface language.
Control Customization
Players can now bind a toggle crouch key and access advanced control schemes, including gyro aiming and FlickStick.
Bug Fixes and Gameplay Adjustments
General Fixes
Common issues related to shop search, parry mechanics, and sound effects were resolved, improving overall gameplay quality.
Hero-Specific Updates
Heroes such as Mirage, Shiv, and Lash received updated animations and effects, while tooltips for Bebop, Grey Talon, and Yamato were corrected for accuracy.
New Features
The Telemetry HUD was introduced, providing in-game metrics for frame rate and network performance. This feature can be toggled in the settings menu.
Impact of the Update
The December 6 update marks a significant milestone for Deadlock, enhancing the competitive environment and enriching the gameplay experience. With Raven’s addition, the game introduces new strategic opportunities, offering players a chance to master a unique hero with unparalleled abilities.
This update sets the stage for future innovations in Deadlock, solidifying its position as a leading MOBA-shooter.
