Deadlock Beginner Guide: Souls, Items and Winning Lanes
Deadlock is Valve's mix of hero shooter and MOBA: you fight in lanes, farm souls and build items while aiming like a shooter. It's a lot to take in at first, but a few fundamentals carry you a long way.
Last updated: Beginner guide · Oct 18, 2026 · 2 min read
Souls are everything
Souls are the game's currency and experience. You earn them from troopers, jungle camps, kills and objectives. When you last-hit a trooper, shoot the soul orb it drops to secure it — and deny enemy orbs to slow them down.
Laning
Early on, focus on farming safely rather than chasing kills. Stay near your Guardian when you're low, and watch for enemies rotating from other lanes. Clearing nearby jungle camps between waves keeps your farm going.
Items
The shop has three item categories:
- Weapon items boost gun damage, fire rate and ammo.
- Vitality items add health, regeneration and defences.
- Spirit items strengthen your abilities.
- Buy items that fit your hero and the enemy team — anti-heal or extra resistances can swing fights.
Objectives
Taking Guardians, Walkers and other structures pushes the map in your favour. The Mid Boss gives a powerful reward to the team that takes it, and delivering the Urn gives souls. Group up for these instead of farming alone.
Improve faster
Play a few heroes until you know their abilities and power spikes, and watch replays of your losses. Movement tricks like dashing and sliding make you much harder to hit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get more souls in Deadlock?
Last-hit troopers and shoot their soul orbs, clear jungle camps between waves and take objectives with your team.
What items should I buy first in Deadlock?
Items that match your hero's strengths — Weapon items for gun heroes, Spirit items for ability heroes — plus some Vitality for survival.
What does the Mid Boss give?
Defeating the Mid Boss gives the winning team a strong reward that helps them push.