Does Deadlock run on Steam Deck?#
Deadlock runs on the Steam Deck, which uses Valve’s Proton compatibility layer on SteamOS. Whether it’s a good experience depends on what you expect: it’s a demanding, fast 6v6 game, and the Deck is a handheld.
What has been publicly reported, with dates — Deadlock changes quickly, so treat older reports as history, not current fact:
- Performance (Aug 2024 report): around 25–30 FPS on default settings, and roughly 45–50 FPS with lowered settings.
- Matchmaking (Aug 2024 report): standard matchmaking was blocked on Steam Deck at the time, and players used a launch-option workaround.
- Controls (Nov 2024): Valve added Steam Input support, a controller tab in the settings and official Steam Input configurations for the Deck.
Check before you rely on it
We haven’t re-tested on a Deck for the current patch. Check the game’s Steam Deck compatibility rating on its store page and whether you can queue normally before investing time in settings.
A settings profile to start from#
These are the settings reported to work in 2024, as a starting point — adjust from here:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution | Native (1280×800) |
| Anti-aliasing | FXAA |
| Render quality | About 70% |
| Texture quality | Medium |
| V-Sync | Off |
Then use the Deck’s own performance menu: a 40 Hz refresh rate with a 40 FPS cap is a common compromise between smoothness and battery.
Controls and layouts#
Deadlock leans on many binds: four abilities, active items, melee, parry, dash and crouch. On the Deck, use the official Steam Input configuration as a base, then put parry and dash on the easiest-to-reach buttons and use the back grips for active items. Gyro aiming helps a lot for precise shots. See controller support for layout ideas.
Battery and performance tips#
- Expect short sessions on battery; cap FPS to save power.
- Download updates and shader caches while plugged in.
- Keep the Deck cool — throttling shows up as late-match frame drops.