update · July 1, 2026
Deadlock Minor Update Reworks Shiv and Core Mechanics
Deadlock receives a sweeping balance update that reworks Shiv's kit, introduces the Unstable Rift objective, and decouples the Spirit Urn into its own mechanic. Economy and progression systems also see widespread adjustments to cooldowns, boons, and bounties.
A substantial gameplay update for Deadlock introduces major systematic overhauls to match objectives, map pacing, and hero balancing. Developers have decoupled the Spirit Urn from the King of the Hill objective—now renamed the Unstable Rift—while heavily reworking Shiv's kit alongside numerous character tweaks.
Objective And Map Overhauls
The King of the Hill objective is now called the Unstable Rift, spawning every 7 minutes with a variable start time and a 25-second global broadcast. It no longer requires an Urn delivery to begin. Securing the rift spawns a wave of Rift Troopers that grant no souls on death but possess double health and damage. Meanwhile, Spirit Urn delivery is now a dedicated objective spawning at opposing map ends at 10, 15, 20, and 25 minutes. The urn no longer reveals the runner or disarms them, but it cannot be manually dropped and starts decaying after 45 seconds.
Economy And System Adjustments
Economy mechanics see broad reductions across the board. All ultimate base and upgrade cooldowns are nerfed by 15%, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5. Rejuvenation buff duration drops from 4 minutes to 3, and health per boon decreases by 5%. Objective bounties for guardians and walkers are lowered, and base kill bounties drop from 250 to 200 souls. Dash jumps receive minor buffing with an increased input window, longer distance, and higher vertical impulse.
Shiv Rework And Hero Balance
Shiv's kit undergoes a significant redesign. Slice and Dice returns to dealing spirit damage and reducing enemy Spirit Resistance, while its damage increases to 75. Alt fire ammo costs are adjusted, and Killing Blow now hits troopers and neutrals along its path, instantly filling the rage bar upon a hero execution. Dozens of other heroes receive targeted adjustments, including cooldown tweaks for Apollo and Celeste, and damage scaling modifications for Billy and Drifter.
Why this patch matters
This update shifts Deadlock's pacing by separating map objectives and reining in global economies, requiring teams to rethink macro strategies alongside updated hero matchups.