Valve's New Deadlock Patch Notes: Key Changes to Gun and Ability Damage

In its latest update, Valve has released the Deadlock patch notes, introducing significant alterations to gun and ability damage as part of its ongoing development of the highly anticipated Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) shooter, Deadlock. Published on July 5, 2025, the patch reflects the company’s commitment to refining gameplay mechanics and enhancing player experience.

The update marks a global reduction in lethality across the game. According to Yoshi, a developer at Valve, the bullet cycle time for all characters has been increased by 5%, resulting in a direct decrease in gun damage per second by the same percentage. This change aims to shift the focus of combat strategies, encouraging players to think critically about the timing and usage of skills during gameplay.

Further adjustments include a reduction in ability base damage and ability power bonus damage by approximately 8%, although spirit power growth remains unaffected. These changes are designed to balance the power dynamics among characters, providing players with a more level playing field during encounters.

Valve's development philosophy appears to prioritize strategic depth over sheer damage output, as Yoshi elaborated, stating that these modifications will create more opportunities for players to recover from precarious situations during matches.

In addition to damage alterations, the update also affects player progression. Spirit gains from leveling have been adjusted from 1.25 to 1.1, while the spirit bonus derived from souls spent in the game tree has been significantly increased by 25%. This change is expected to alter the pace at which players power up throughout matches.

Another notable modification includes a 10% increase in Ultimate cooldowns, impacting both base abilities and upgrades, thereby extending the total cooldown duration when ability power is factored in. These adjustments signal Valve's continued commitment to evolving the gameplay experience, keeping players engaged as they await the full launch of Deadlock.

The Deadlock patch is part of a series of updates aimed at refining the overall game structure, which earlier this year included a complete rework of the shop system and the introduction of new items. As the game's release date approaches, further updates and modifications are anticipated, as indicated by Valve's proactive approach to community feedback and gameplay analytics.

With Deadlock already recognized as one of the top MOBAs available on PC, this latest patch is likely to attract both new and returning players. For detailed insights into the changes, players are encouraged to visit Valve’s official update page and explore community discussions on platforms such as Discord.

As Valve continues to enhance Deadlock, the gaming community remains eager for future developments, with expectations of significant updates in the coming months. The ongoing evolution of Deadlock reflects the studio's responsiveness to player feedback and its commitment to maintaining a dynamic and engaging gaming environment.