Valve’s upcoming first-person shooter Deadlock has brought significant improvements in its playtest phase, particularly with its addition of the Ranked system. And while the ranked system is still being worked on, the recent matchmaking rework introduced sweeping changes! Designed to enhance accessibility, fairness, and dynamic competition. This detailed guide explores the Matchmaking System, covering everything from badge progression and matchmaking logic to new player tools and leaderboard systems.

Matchmaking and Ranked

The most recent Deadlock Update introduces a revamped matchmaking system, merging the previously separate pools for normal and ranked matches into a single unified mode. Additionally, the system now operates without restricted hours, allowing players to queue for matches anytime. With the new matchmaking system, players now have a streamlined set of options for gameplay. They can choose the regular (ranked) queue, engage in matches against AI-controlled bots, or create custom lobbies to play with friends under specific settings. Additionally, the Sandbox Mode remains available, allowing players to experiment with heroes, practice abilities, and familiarize themselves with mechanics before diving into competitive matches. This setup ensures flexibility for both casual and competitive players while maintaining an avenue for skill development.

Rank Structure

Ranks in Deadlock are visually represented as "medals" with a hierarchical progression system. The ranking tiers are:

• Initiate (the starter rank in Deadlock)
  
• Seeker
  
• Alchemist
  
• Arcanist
  
• Ritualist
  
• Emissary
  
• Archon
  
• Oracle
  
• Phantom
  
• Ascendant
  
• Eternus (the pinnacle of competitive achievement).

Each medal tier has six sublevels (I through VI), except Eternus, which has a unique "Star" level. Players are matched exclusively with others in the same medal category to ensure fair competition.

With the latest update, badges now update instantly whenever your MMR changes enough for a rank adjustment. There's no longer a need to wait for weekly resets or meet a specific match requirement. Additionally, periodic global maintenance will be conducted as needed, potentially on a monthly basis, to recalibrate the global ranking system based on player population shifts, cheater bans, and other adjustments.

Matchmaking Mechanics

Unlike many competitive games that use visible point systems, Deadlock employs an interesting system. A standout feature of the rework is Hero MMR, which tracks skill separately for each hero. Each player has:

Core MMR: represents the foundational assessment of a player’s overall skill level based on their performance overall with all heroes they play.

Hero-Specific MMR: Allows players to be judged more accurately, especially when experimenting with new heroes.

The matchmaker uses the 20 most recent games with a hero to determine proficiency. When queueing, players are matched based on their MMR with the chosen hero. This means:

• If you're learning a new hero, you'll face easier opponents initially.
  
• Experienced players will encounter tougher challenges when using their best heroes.

Solo Only Matchmaking: If you prefer playing with only solos, there is a console command you can edit to only match against other solo queue players instead of various group sizes. This setting is set off by default, however, you can turn it on quite easily. To do so, you have to open console (F7) then type “mm_prefer_solo_only true”. This will enable the solo matchmaking and you will no longer be placed in group queues, allowing for a more balanced experience.

However, keep in mind that changing this in the console often results in longer queue times at all ranks, so if you are looking to get into a match quickly, regular ranked queue should be your best choice.

Your profile now includes a display of your hero rankings for transparency. This system is a test, and Valve welcomes feedback to refine their matchmaking. Many changes are expected to come to Deadlock before the official release and this system won’t be spared.

Leaderboards

Leaderboards have been introduced for competitive recognition:

• Regional Core MMR Leaderboards: Top 1,000 players in each region (NA, SA, EU, Asia, Oceania).
• Hero MMR Leaderboards: Top 1,000 players per hero per region.

To qualify for these leaderboards:

• Core MMR: Play at least 50 games in the last 30 days. With the recent update, there were reports that this MMR was also reset
• Hero MMR: Play 20 games with a specific hero in the same time frame.

This leaderboard system promotes active play and specialization, allowing players to showcase their expertise. Not only this but Leaderboards are also often the way esports teams are formed and players are recruited.

Party Queue Enhancements

1. Flexible Party Sizes: Players can queue in parties of any size, with some caveats:

• Large skill gaps within a party may reduce MMR gains to prevent exploitation.
  
• The restriction on high-MMR parties (Ascendant I and above) has been eased, now allowing three players instead of two.

2. Lane Coordination: When queueing as a party, you can prioritize shared lanes with friends by overriding the default lane-assignment system.

3. Swap Lanes Feature: During the pre-game phase, players can request to swap lanes with teammates. This user-friendly feature ensures better role assignments and improves team dynamics.

Conclusion

Deadlock’s Ranked mode combines traditional FPS ranking elements with unique features like weekly resets and hidden MMR to create a fresh competitive experience. While some aspects may evolve with feedback, its current framework highlights Valve’s dedication to fostering a balanced and engaging environment for players just like they did with previous games like Dota 2 and Counter Strike Global Offensive and later Counter-Strike 2.

Whether you’re a seasoned FPS competitor or a newcomer to Ranked systems, Deadlock offers a dynamic and challenging platform to test your skills. Stay tuned for updates as the game evolves in its journey toward official release!