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Deadlock
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Map Strategy

Deadlock's map, the Cursed Apple, is a vertically layered city. Understanding the three lanes, neutral objectives, and rotation timing turns personal leads into team victories.

Deadlock map structure and objectives

Diagram: three lanes, jungle, mid-boss, and Soul Urn locations

1. The Three Lanes

The current map has three main lanes (earlier versions had four): York (Yellow), Broadway (Blue / mid), and Park (Green). Each lane follows the same structure:

  1. Guardian: outer defense; must fall to push deeper.
  2. Walker: large mech; killing it unlocks an extra item slot for your team.
  3. Base Guardian: entrance defense of the enemy base.
  4. Shrines: two structures inside the base; both must be destroyed before the Patron is exposed.

Note: older guides referencing a fourth "Purple" lane are outdated; it was removed in the February 2025 update.

2. Jungle Resources

The areas between lanes are the Jungle. They contain:

  • Denizen camps: three tiers spawning around 2, 5-6, and 8 minutes, granting souls and stats.
  • Breakables / Golden Statues: spawn at 2 minutes, chance to drop permanent stat buffs.
  • Sinner's Sacrifice vending machines: appear at 8 minutes; heavy melee them for souls and buffs.
  • Rooftops and subways: high-ground sightlines and teleporters for rotations and ambushes.

Rule of thumb: clear your lane wave before farming jungle. Missing a trooper wave is usually worse than clearing a camp.

3. Neutral Objectives

Mid-Boss

Spawns around 10 minutes in the central sewer. Drops the Rejuvenator team buff: faster respawns, increased fire rate, and stronger minions. Take it after winning a teamfight.

Soul Urn

Spawns around 10 minutes. One player carries it to the enemy base while unable to attack or use abilities, and is visible on the minimap. Successful delivery deals massive Patron damage.

Bridge Buffs

Spawn every 5 minutes on the central bridge, granting movement, weapon, spirit, or vitality bonuses for 160 seconds.

Ziplines & Teleporters

Ziplines run along lanes for fast travel; teleporters in the subway enable cross-map rotations.

4. When to Rotate

  • Rotate: your Walker is down / lane is pushed; Urn or Mid-Boss is spawning; a teammate in another lane is dying and you can arrive in time; enemy team just wiped.
  • Don't rotate: your Walker is still alive; the fight will be over before you arrive; leaving exposes your own Walker.

The most common mistake: rotating to help, arriving too late, missing your own wave, and contributing nothing.