Deadlock’s May patch notes have introduced significant changes to the game, with the Soul Urn mechanics undergoing a complete revamp, accompanied by the addition of a new item, and a plethora of nerfs and buffs to various aspects of the game.
Key Changes and Highlights
The new patch brings substantial alterations to the game, significantly impacting the Deadlock tier list. Notable changes include the revamped Soul Urn mechanics, which now involve lighting or heavy melee to pick up the Urn, and the introduction of a new T1 Vitality Item called ‘Grit’, granting 200 Barrier for 4 seconds with innate 1 Out of Combat Regen.
Other key changes include the return of invulnerable shrines until one pair of Base Guardians is destroyed, a slower heal from Medic Troopers, and the Midboss now spawning at the beginning of the game. The patch also introduces various item changes, such as Ballistic Enhancement now upgrading from Mystic Expansion, and Sharpshooter upgrading from High-Velocity Rounds and Long Range.
Hero Changes and Balance Adjustments
Several heroes have undergone significant changes, including Abrams, whose Infernal Resilience T2 now grants 18% Melee Lifesteal, and Apollo, whose Riposte no longer automatically dashes but instead unlocks a sub-ability. Other heroes like Bebop, Billy, and Calico have also received adjustments to their abilities and stats.
Additionally, the patch includes general changes, such as reduced base HP for all heroes, decreased HP per boon, and altered guardian scaling resistance. The patch also addresses various bugs and issues, including fixed parry FX, smoothed zipline grabbing, and removed delay on ziplines when using alternative key binds.
Item Changes and Additions
The patch introduces a new T1 Vitality Item, Grit, and makes significant changes to existing items, such as Restorative Shot, Melee Charge, and Active Reload. Other items like Sharpshooter, Hunter’s Aura, and Cultist Sacrifice have also received adjustments to their stats and effects.
The patch also includes changes to hero abilities, such as Abrams’ Seismic Impact, Apollo’s Riposte, and Bebop’s Exploding Uppercut. Various other heroes have received tweaks to their abilities, making for a more balanced and engaging gameplay experience.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
With the introduction of these significant changes, the Deadlock meta is likely to undergo a substantial shift. Players will need to adapt to the new Soul Urn mechanics, item changes, and hero balances to remain competitive. As the game continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these changes impact the overall gameplay experience and the strategies employed by players.
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