Deadlock has just received one of its biggest matchmaking updates ever, introducing some major changes to the game’s queues and addressing a number of community complaints that were being raised over the past few months.
The contents of the July 30 Deadlock update include a complete overhaul to the game’s matchmaking system, new measures to combat smurfs, and a plethora of other miscellaneous content.
In this article, we’ll go through everything that you need to know about Deadlock’s new matchmaking update.
Deadlock July 30 Matchmaking Update
The July 30 Deadlock update has completely revamped the game’s matchmaking system, splitting the game into two distinct queues and introducing a full-fledged Ranked Mode.
The Standard Mode now serves as a lower-stakes option with no rank adjustments or limits to party size and skill disparity between party members, while Ranked Mode will be a higher-stakes mode for players looking to put their skills to the test.
The update has also introduced Ranked Seasons to Deadlock, with players being able to commemorate their peak ranks each season with Hideout trophies.
After playing 8 calibration games, you’ll be able to see your new Deadlock rank this season. Players can only exit calibration at a max Rank of Oracle VI.
New Deadlock Ranks and Badges
The latest Deadlock update has introduced a series of new rank names and badges. Take a look at them below:
- Obscurus (Uncalibrated)
- Initiate (Brick)
- Seeker (Stone)
- Acolyte (Iron)
- Sentinel (Bronze)
- Mystic (Silver)
- Ritualist (Gold)
- Emissary (Platinum)
- Oracle (Diamond)
- Phantom
- Ascendant
- Eternus
Deadlock Ranked Mode Requirements
Players will have to meet a number of requirements to be eligible to queue in Deadlock Ranked.
For starters, anyone queuing for Ranked must have at least 60 wins in Standard Mode. Additionally, players must have at least 3 heroes with 15 or more wins to unlock them for Ranked and have a valid-sized roster to queue with. You can only play heroes with 15 or more wins in ranked.
Currently, only solos and duo parties will be able to queue for ranked. If you are in a duo party, the rank disparity between the two players can not be more than 1 Rank away from each other. Eternus players can only queue with another Eternus player as long as they are within 3 Subranks of each other.
Note that players can’t be in a party for their calibration games.
New Hero Selection Process
Valve has added a new pre-game area to Deadlock. Upon entering a Ranked Match, players will be able to see a breakdown of the Ranks of all players in the game while in this pre-game area.
During this time, players can choose to change their given hero to any other hero that hasn’t been selected. To prevent counter-picking, there is no live update of what heroes the enemy team is changing into. Additionally, each player can only swap into a new hero once.
This new pre-game waiting area can also be used to adjust your starting lanes. However, you won’t be able to zipline swap after this. The pausing feature will also be disabled until 2 minutes after the game fully starts.
The total number of heroes banned in Ranked games has been increased from 2 to 3.
The first Ranked season for Deadlock starts today, and players have until October 7th to reach their peak rank before the next season begins. Future Ranked seasons will likely have longer durations with splits in between, as well as recency requirements on the heroes played.
