Valve continues to refine their upcoming MOBA Deadlock with significant updates, introducing six new experimental heroes and implementing crucial matchmaking improvements to enhance player experience.
New Hero Lab and Experimental Characters
The latest update introduces the Hero Lab, an experimental mode accessible to players with over 50 games under their belt. This new feature showcases six fresh additions to the roster:
- Calico - A stealth-focused hero with feline-themed abilities
- Fathom (formerly Slork) - Specializes in water-based combat and crowd control
- Holliday - Features unique mechanics like powder kegs and enemy lassoing
- Magician - Offers magical abilities including enemy transformation
- Wrecker - Focuses on scrap-based attacks and shadow clone mechanics
- Viper - Utilizes a unique sliding mechanic for infinite ammo
Matchmaking Improvements
To address player concerns about unbalanced matches, Valve has implemented a crucial matchmaking update:
- Parties with large skill gaps will now be matched against similar parties
- New UI indicator warns players when their party falls into this category
- System aims to isolate problematic matches rather than spreading them across all games
Key Features of Hero Lab
- Available for limited hours each day
- Allows testing of experimental heroes with placeholder assets
- Provides platform for player feedback on new hero designs
- Serves as alternative to ranked play
Current Challenges
The Hero Lab faces some initial hurdles:
- Players frequently leaving matches when unable to select new heroes
- Limited availability windows
- Experimental nature of hero designs and abilities
These updates demonstrate Valve's commitment to improving Deadlock's gameplay experience while maintaining competitive balance. The combination of new content and matchmaking refinements suggests a strong focus on community feedback and game quality.