If you’ve spent even an hour scrolling Deadlock clips on social media or jumping into your first unrated matches, you’ve probably asked yourself what Deadlock character should I play at least once. There are 20+ playable heroes right now, each with unique ability kits, roles, and skill ceilings that can make or break your match experience. Picking the wrong fit for how you like to play doesn’t just mean you’ll lose more rounds—it means you won’t have half as much fun while you’re learning the ropes. This guide breaks down every factor to consider so you can land on a character that feels like it was made for you.
Factors to Consider When Deciding What Deadlock Character Should I Play
Before you start scrolling through tier lists or copying your favorite streamer’s main, take 10 minutes to think about what you actually want out of your play experience. A character that works for someone else might feel terrible for you, even if they’re considered top tier in the current meta. These are the four core factors I always recommend new and returning players prioritize:
So many new players make the mistake of picking the most popular high-tier character without checking if that playstyle fits them. For example, if you hate being the first one to die in a team fight, picking Warden (the main frontline tank) is probably going to leave you frustrated, even if he’s top tier right now. That means you should never prioritize tier list rankings over how much fun you have playing a character.
Best Deadlock Characters for Casual and Beginner Players
If you’re still learning the core game mechanics like map layouts, objective timers, and basic ability usage, stick to characters with simple, forgiving kits first. You don’t need to play a high-skill character to have fun or win matches when you’re starting out.
Vex is the best starting DPS for most new players. Her ability kit is straightforward: a primary rifle that’s easy to aim, a speed boost for getting out of bad fights, and an ultimate that marks low-health enemies for your team to finish off. She doesn’t require complex combo timing, and she’s viable in almost every team comp. I’ve seen new players get 10+ kills on their first match with Vex, which is almost unheard of for other DPS characters in the roster.
For players who prefer frontline tank play, Bulwark is another great low-learning-curve pick. His shield ability covers both himself and nearby teammates, and his stun is easy to land on grouped enemies. You won’t have to worry about fancy positioning as much when playing him, as long as you stay between your team and the enemy damage dealers. His only real downside is that he doesn’t have much mobility, so you can get caught out if you push too far ahead of your team alone.
If support is your preferred role, Rejuvenate is the most accessible option right now. His heals are targeted and don’t require perfect aim, and his buffs increase your team’s damage output without any extra work from you. He’s also surprisingly tanky for a support, so you don’t have to worry about getting one-shot by enemy assassins every other round.
Best Deadlock Characters for Ranked Play and High Skill Ceiling Fans
Once you’ve got the basics down and want to start climbing the ranked ladder, or if you just love mastering complex kits that reward practice, these characters are the best picks right now. Just note that all of them require at least 5-10 practice matches before you can use them effectively in ranked play.
If you love pulling off flashy plays and don’t mind putting in the time to learn exact cooldown timings, Shade is an incredible pick. He’s an assassin with invisibility, a short-range teleport, and a one-shot ultimate that can delete enemy backline carries before they even react. The catch? You have to learn exact cooldown timings and map positioning to avoid getting caught out before you can use your abilities. One wrong move and you’ll die instantly, but when you land a good play, it feels unbeatable.
For tank players who want to carry games instead of just supporting their team, Warden is the top pick right now. His ultimate can lock down an entire enemy team for 3 seconds, which is enough time for your DPS to wipe the whole squad if you land it correctly. But you have to learn exactly when to engage, because a bad Warden ultimate can lose you the round instantly if you catch your own team in it or use it when your teammates are too far away to follow up.
For support players who want a high skill ceiling option, Wisp is perfect. She can place healing orbs across the map, teleport to teammates to save them from ganks, and her ultimate can turn a losing team fight around by giving your entire team invulnerability for 2 seconds. She’s not for new players, but once you master her, you’ll be the most valuable player on almost every team you play with.
How to Test If a Deadlock Character Is Right for You
Even if a character checks all your boxes on paper, you won’t know if they’re a good fit until you actually play them. There’s a reason almost every long-time Deadlock player has a roster of 2-3 main characters they swap between depending on the match.
First, use the practice range to test out their basic abilities and auto attack feel. A lot of players skip this step, but it’s the fastest way to tell if a character’s kit feels natural to you. If you hate the feel of their primary weapon, you’re never going to enjoy playing them, no matter how good they are on tier lists. Spend 5 minutes testing their abilities, shooting target dummies, and getting used to their movement speed before you jump into a real match.
Next, play 2-3 unrated matches with them before you take them into ranked. Unrated matches are low-stakes, so you can mess up without ruining anyone’s climb. Pay attention to how you feel after each match: if you’re having fun even when you lose, that’s a good sign the character is a fit for you. If you’re frustrated even when you win, you’re probably better off picking someone else. I once wrote off Shade entirely after one bad match, but I forced myself to play three more unrated rounds with him, and now he’s my most played ranked main. You can’t judge a character by one bad game, especially if you’re still learning their abilities.
Finally, pay attention to your stats after those test matches. If you’re consistently getting more kills, assists, or objective captures than you do on your usual main, that’s a sign you might have found a new go-to character. You don’t have to be getting first place every match, but if you’re performing better than average, it’s a good indicator that the character fits your natural playstyle well.
At the end of the day, there’s no universal right answer to what Deadlock character should I play. The best pick for you is the one that fits your playstyle, skill level, and the kind of fun you want to have while playing. Don’t let tier lists or streamer opinions pressure you into playing a character you don’t enjoy. Even the lowest tier character in the game can win you matches if you’re comfortable playing them and have put in the time to learn their kit. Take the tips in this guide, test out a few options, and you’ll find your perfect main in no time.