Valve warned the update would be rocky–and the community's response has been just as turbulent.
Last Friday, Deadlock rolled out a significant matchmaking overhaul, introducing a proper ranked mode with new entry requirements, updated ranks, and a range of new rules. After several days of testing, players across the internet have shared their early impressions–and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the response has been mixed.
Deadlock
Release Date: TBA (currently available in beta)
Platforms: PC via Steam
Developer: Valve
How are players reacting to Deadlock's new ranked mode?
There were plenty of complaints about the new Deadlock ranked mode, mostly centred on the slow pace of rank progression, the new hero pool requirements for entering ranked mode, and the restrictive party rules.
The biggest point of contention is the lengthier journey to climb the ranked ladder. Players now reportedly need around 60 wins to progress between ranks, a requirement many consider demanding. This has been especially frustrating for those affected by the soft reset, who found themselves demoted from their previous rank.
The update also introduced a requirement for players to have at least three heroes with 15 wins each in Standard Mode (unranked) before they can queue for ranked. Some have criticised the system as contradictory, arguing that players are forced to grind wins in a mode intended for more casual play. "It's impossible to unlock new characters in ranked because my teammates in casual mode are always trolling," one user commented on X.
Another player criticised the 15-win requirement per hero, writing: "Ranked has been good for me so far, but 15 wins just to play a character in ranked is too much."
There were also plenty of complaints about the three-hero minimum requirement, although many members of the community were quick to defend the change.
"You are all psychotic," one user wrote on Reddit, calling out players who "only play two heroes" and were complaining about the drafting requirements. "What were you going to do if your two tricks got picked or banned? I'm just baffled." The post received nearly 3,000 upvotes.
Many more posts and comments have since emerged in defence of the new matchmaking system. On the other side of the debate are players who welcome Deadlock's new ranked mode, arguing that its stricter requirements ultimately improve match quality. Requiring players to become proficient with multiple heroes could also encourage a broader understanding of the game.
Deadlock's new ranked restrictions also limit parties to solo and duo queues, drawing exasperation from those who can no longer team up with larger groups of friends. However, the developers acknowledged this feedback when the update was initially released, stating that the restriction will be monitored over the coming weeks, and is likely to be adjusted in the future.
