Here’s a detailed article on the November 7, 2024, patch for the game Deadlock. This update introduces a new hero, Trapper, alongside various enhancements to gameplay mechanics, user interface, and balancing adjustments across heroes, items, and the overall game.
Deadlock Update – November 7, 2024
The November 7, 2024 patch for Deadlock is packed with significant changes. This update not only adds a fresh face to the roster but also includes quality-of-life improvements, balancing adjustments, and optimizations aimed at enhancing gameplay fluidity and competitive balance.
General Changes
- New Hero: Trapper in Hero Labs
- Trapper has joined Hero Labs as an experimental character, bringing unique abilities and tactics for players to explore.
- Hero Labs now supports Trapper’s testing in private lobbies, bot matches, and sandbox mode, making it easier for players to experiment with this new character’s abilities.
- Hero Labs updates are available in-game for additional details on Trapper and other experimental heroes.
- Quickbuy System
- A quickbuy feature has been added, allowing players to right-click items in the shop to add them to a purchase queue.
- Items automatically purchase when players return to the shop, following the queue order.
- A HUD indicator now notifies players when they have enough resources to purchase the next queued item, and settings allow toggling an auto-buy feature.
- UI and HUD Enhancements
- HUD now shows the most commonly purchased item types for quick access.
- A “Recent Purchases” log is accessible in the shop, providing insight into item acquisitions during the game.
- Steam’s new API for game recording has been integrated to mark important events like kills, objectives, and deaths on replays.
- The left-side HUD now hides Hero Stats by default, but they’re viewable when holding ALT or TAB for a cleaner visual experience.
- Frenzy states now visually notify players when below 50% health.
- A social tab has been added in settings, which includes Streamer Mode, content filtering, and chat visibility customization.
- Performance Optimization
- The dashboard now pre-compiles shaders and maps, reducing load times and in-game stuttering, especially during high-action moments.
Gameplay Adjustments
- Bot Behavior
- Bots now act more aggressively towards objectives, specifically targeting Shrines and Patrons when pushing into enemy bases.
- Bug Fixes and Stability
- Fixed regeneration effects inconsistently applying when passing through enemy fountain barriers.
- Addressed profile and commendation display issues for players.
- Improved the area-of-effect visibility for McGinnis Barrage.
- Shop search clear functionality now works consistently.
- Adjustments made to Quantum Entanglement effects to avoid unintended unit positioning near terrain.
- Audio and Visual Updates
- New effects have been added for Viscous heavy melee attacks, enhancing their impact.
- Looping audio cues now resume after interruptions, and ambient sounds have been added for bridge power-ups.
- Various animation improvements, including Vindicta’s new zipline animation and updates to Mo and Krill’s melee attacks for readability.
- Reduced visual clutter for high-fire-rate characters like Seven and Wraith.
Hero Balance Adjustments
| Hero | Change Description |
|---|---|
| Trapper | Introduced as a new hero in Hero Labs, bringing fresh abilities and tactics. |
| Grey Talon | Increased detection range for stealth abilities from 18m to 22m, adding strategic depth to her abilities. |
| McGinnis | Adjusted Barrage area of effect visuals for improved accuracy in high-action moments. |
| Vindicta | Animation for zipline enhanced for better visibility and smoother player experience. |
| Mo & Krill | Improved animations for heavy melee, making their attacks more readable in combat. |
Detailed Item Changes
| Item | Change Description |
|---|---|
| Close Quarters | Removed +85 Bullet Shield Health; now grants +5% Bullet Resist. |
| Restorative Shot | No longer provides +7% Bullet Resist; grants +90 Bullet Shield, procs healing on orb shots for NPCs. |
| Melee Charge | Removed +1 HP Regen; Weapon Damage reduced from 12% to 10%. |
| Long Range | Reduced long-range Weapon Damage from 40% to 30%; grants +10% Weapon Damage. |
| Berserker | Bullet Resist increased from 7% to 9%, improving resilience. |
| Active Reload | Now grants an additional +50 Health. |
| Slowing Bullets | Spirit Power increased from +5 to +6, providing more control in battles. |
| Sharpshooter | Reduced long-range Weapon Damage from 70% to 50%; grants +20% Weapon Damage. |
| Alchemical Fire | Now grants +1 Sprint, adding movement versatility. |
| Heroic Aura | Cooldown reduced from 32 seconds to 25 seconds, making it more usable in shorter engagements. |
| Intensifying Magazine | Time to reach Max Damage reduced from 3 seconds to 2.7 seconds, adding burst potential. |
| Toxic Bullets | Damage altered from 5% Current Health to 2.5% Max Health, adjusting its damage curve. |
| Shadow Weave | Detection range increased from 18m to 22m, improving utility against stealth targets. |
| Glass Cannon | Health penalty reduced from -15% to -12%, enhancing its viability. |
| Frenzy | Increased low HP Bullet Resist from 45% to 55%, improving survival chances in critical states. |
| Lucky Shot | Fixed double proc on effects, bringing consistency to its interactions. |
| Silencer | Now grants +12% Spirit Resist, enhancing defense against Spirit-based attacks. |
| Vampiric Burst | Healing effect improved, aiding players relying on life steal mechanics. |
This November update for Deadlock brings a well-rounded mix of new content, balance improvements, and technical optimizations. The new hero Trapper offers new tactical options, and various changes across items and hero abilities aim to fine-tune gameplay balance. The quality-of-life features, from quickbuy mechanics to visual and audio improvements, provide a cleaner and more efficient gameplay experience.