Deadlock has taken the gaming world by storm in 2025, and understanding the character meta is crucial for climbing the competitive ladder. After analyzing hundreds of hours of gameplay data and consulting with top players, I’ve created this comprehensive tier list to help you make informed decisions about which characters to master. This Deadlock characters tier list breaks down every hero based on their win rates, pick rates, competitive viability, and overall impact on the game. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned veteran, this guide will give you the edge you need to dominate your matches.
Before diving into the tier list, it’s important to understand the criteria used for these rankings:
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viper | S | High Damage, Mobility | Toxic Cloud, Poison Strike |
| Phoenix | S | High Damage, Self-Resurrect | Fire Blast, Resurrection |
| Jett | S | High Mobility, Precision | Tailwind, Blade Storm |
| Sova | S | High Utility, Recon | Recon Bolt, Shock Bolt |
| Killjoy | S | High Utility, Area Control | Turret, Nanoswarm |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reyna | A | High Damage, Self-Sustain | Devour, Dismiss |
| Omen | A | High Mobility, Control | Shrouded Step, Paranoia |
| Brimstone | A | High Utility, Area Control | Stim Beacon, Sky Smoke |
| Cypher | A | High Utility, Information | Trapwire, Cyber Cage |
| Sage | A | High Support, Healing | Healing Orb, Barrier Orb |
| Skye | A | High Support, Flash | Trailblazer, Guiding Light |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breach | B | High Initiation, Crowd Control | Flashpoint, Fault Line |
| Astra | B | High Utility, Cosmic Control | Gravity Well, Nova Pulse |
| KAY/O | B | High Suppression, Anti-Ability | ZERO/POINT, FLASH/DRIVE |
| Neon | B | High Mobility, Speed | High Gear, Relay Bolt |
| Yoru | B | High Mobility, Deception | Fakeout, Dimensional Drift |
| Name | Tier | Key Stats | Special Abilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbor | C | High Control, Water | High Tide, Cove |
| Chamber | C | High Utility, Teleport | Trademark, Rendezvous |
| Fade | C | High Recon, Fear | Haunt, Prowler |
| Viper | C | High Damage, Area Denial | Poison Cloud, Viper’s Pit |
Viper stands at the top of our Deadlock tier list for good reason. Her toxic abilities provide unparalleled area control, making her essential for both offensive pushes and defensive holds. Her Poison Cloud ability can block sightlines and damage enemies over time, while her Viper’s Pit ultimate can single-handedly win rounds when used correctly. What makes Viper particularly devastating is her ability to control the flow of the game – enemies are forced to play around her toxic zones, giving your team significant map control. Her high damage output combined with her utility makes her a must-pick in most team compositions. The only downside is her relatively high skill ceiling, but once mastered, Viper is one of the most impactful characters in Deadlock.
Phoenix brings an aggressive playstyle that can single-handedly take over games. His fire abilities not only deal significant damage but also provide self-healing, allowing him to win duels that other characters would lose. What truly sets Phoenix apart is his Resurrection ultimate, which gives him a second life when eliminated – this can completely swing rounds in your favor. His Flash ability is perfect for initiating fights, while his Curveball can block sightlines and damage enemies. Phoenix excels in entry fragging roles, where his aggressive nature and self-sustain make him incredibly difficult to deal with. His high damage output combined with his self-resurrection ability makes him a top-tier pick for players who want to make aggressive plays.
Jett’s unparalleled mobility makes her one of the most versatile characters in Deadlock. Her Tailwind ability allows her to reposition instantly, making her extremely difficult to hit. This mobility combined with her high precision damage makes her a nightmare for opponents to deal with. Her Blade Storm ultimate is one of the most powerful abilities in the game, allowing her to eliminate multiple enemies with deadly accuracy. What makes Jett particularly strong is her ability to take aggressive angles and escape safely – a playstyle that few other characters can replicate. Her high skill ceiling means she takes time to master, but in the right hands, Jett can completely dominate matches. Whether you’re playing aggressively or defensively, Jett’s mobility gives her options that other characters simply don’t have.
Information is power in Deadlock, and no character provides more information than Sova. His Recon Bolt ability reveals enemy positions, giving your team crucial intel before engaging. His Shock Bolt can damage enemies through walls, making him excellent for finishing off low-health opponents. Sova’s Hunter’s Fury ultimate can clear entire sites, forcing enemies out of hiding. What makes Sova invaluable is his ability to control the map through information – knowing exactly where enemies are allows your team to make strategic decisions that would otherwise be impossible. His utility is unmatched, and his ability to provide consistent information throughout the match makes him a must-pick for coordinated teams. While he may not have the flashy damage output of some other characters, Sova’s impact on the game is undeniable.
Killjoy’s area control abilities make her one of the strongest defensive characters in Deadlock. Her Turret automatically detects and damages enemies, providing constant pressure on attackers. Her Nanoswarm ability can deny entry to sites and damage enemies hiding in corners. Killjoy’s Lockdown ultimate is one of the most powerful defensive abilities in the game, detaching enemies and making them vulnerable. What makes Killjoy particularly strong is her ability to control multiple areas simultaneously – she can set up her utilities and then focus on holding angles, knowing her abilities will work independently. Her high skill ceiling comes from understanding optimal placement of her utilities, but once mastered, Killjoy can single-handedly hold sites against multiple attackers. For teams looking to strengthen their defensive setups, Killjoy is an essential pick.
Reyna’s self-sustain abilities make her an excellent duelist in Deadlock. Her Devour ability allows her to heal after eliminating an enemy, keeping her in fights longer than other characters. Her Dismiss ability makes her invulnerable and invisible after getting a kill, allowing her to reposition safely. What makes Reyna particularly dangerous is her snowball potential – once she gets a kill, she can chain multiple kills together while staying healthy. Her Leer ability is excellent for winning one-on-one duels, blocking the enemy’s vision while she pushes. Reyna’s Empress ultimate enhances all her abilities, making her even more deadly in combat. While she may lack team utility, Reyna’s ability to win individual fights makes her a valuable pick for players with strong aim and game sense.
Omen’s control and mobility abilities make him a versatile character in Deadlock. His Shrouded Step allows him to teleport short distances, giving him unexpected positioning options. His Paranoia ability blinds enemies in a cone, perfect for pushing into sites. Omen’s From the Shadows ultimate allows him to teleport anywhere on the map, creating unpredictable plays and flanking opportunities. What makes Omen valuable is his ability to control the flow of the game through psychological pressure – enemies never know where he might appear next. His Dark Cover ability provides smokes that can block sightlines, similar to Brimstone but with more strategic placement options. Omen excels at creating chaos and confusion, allowing his team to capitalize on disoriented enemies. For players who enjoy strategic positioning and mind games, Omen is an excellent choice.
Brimstone’s straightforward utility makes him one of the most reliable characters in Deadlock. His Sky Smoke ability provides three smokes that can block sightlines across the map, perfect for executing site takes. His Stim Beacon gives nearby players a damage boost, making it invaluable for team fights. Brimstone’s Orbital Strike ultimate deals significant damage in a targeted area, clearing out entrenched enemies. What makes Brimstone particularly strong is his consistency – his abilities are easy to understand and execute effectively, making him accessible to players of all skill levels. His Incendiary ability can deny entry to areas and damage enemies behind cover. While he may not have the flashy mechanics of some other characters, Brimstone’s reliable utility makes him a valuable addition to any team composition. For players who want consistent impact without complex mechanics, Brimstone is an excellent choice.
Cypher’s information-gathering abilities make him one of the strongest defensive characters in Deadlock. His Trapwire reveals enemies who cross it, providing early warning of pushes. His Cyber Cage slows and reveals enemies who pass through it, giving your team time to react. Cypher’s Neural Theft ultimate reveals the location of all enemies on the map, providing crucial intel for your team. What makes Cypher particularly valuable is his ability to single-handedly watch multiple areas – his utilities work independently, allowing him to focus on holding angles while gathering information. His SpyCam provides additional surveillance and can even mark enemies for elimination. While he may be less effective on aggressive pushes, Cypher’s defensive capabilities are unmatched. For teams looking to strengthen their defensive setups and gather information, Cypher is an essential pick.
Sage’s support abilities make her one of the most valuable characters in Deadlock. Her Healing Orb can restore health to herself or allies, keeping the team in fighting shape. Her Barrier Orb can block pathways and delay enemy pushes, buying time for rotations. Sage’s Resurrection ultimate can bring a fallen teammate back into the fight, potentially saving rounds that would otherwise be lost. What makes Sage particularly valuable is her ability to recover from disadvantageous situations – no other character can reverse mistakes like Sage can. Her Slow Orb can deny entry to areas and make enemies vulnerable to fire. While she may lack the damage output of some other characters, Sage’s support capabilities make her an essential part of many team compositions. For players who enjoy enabling their teammates and making clutch plays, Sage is an excellent choice.
Skye’s support and initiation abilities make her a versatile character in Deadlock. Her Trailblazer ability sends a tiger that flashes enemies, perfect for initiating fights. Her Guiding Light ability sends a bird that can be detonated to flash enemies, providing flexible initiation options. Skye’s Seeking ultimate reveals enemies in a large area, giving your team crucial information. What makes Skye particularly valuable is her ability to both initiate fights and support her team – her flash abilities can set up kills for teammates, while her healing ability can keep the team in fighting shape. Her Regeneration ability provides healing to herself and nearby allies, making her valuable in extended fights. While she may require more coordination than some other characters, Skye’s versatility makes her a valuable addition to many team compositions. For players who enjoy supporting their teammates while still making aggressive plays, Skye is an excellent choice.
Breach’s initiation and crowd control abilities make him a valuable character for aggressive team compositions in Deadlock. His Flashpoint ability sends a flash through walls, blinding enemies on the other side. His Fault Line ability stuns enemies in a line, setting them up for easy eliminations. Breach’s Rolling Thunder ultimate sends a seismic wave that stuns enemies caught in its path, perfect for site takes. What makes Breach valuable is his ability to initiate fights safely – he can use his abilities through walls, allowing him to affect enemies without exposing himself. His Aftershock ability can damage enemies behind cover, clearing out common positions. While he may lack the utility of some other characters, Breach’s initiation capabilities are unmatched. For teams looking to play aggressively and take control of the map, Breach is a solid choice.
Astra’s cosmic control abilities make her a unique character in Deadlock. Her Gravity Well ability pulls enemies toward the center and then launches them, setting them up for easy eliminations. Her Nova Pulse concusses enemies in an area, disorienting them and making them vulnerable. Astra’s Cosmic Divide ultimate splits the map with a wall that blocks bullets, completely changing how a site can be approached. What makes Astra particularly valuable is her global presence – she can place her stars anywhere on the map and activate them when needed, giving her strategic options that few other characters have. Her Nebula ability provides smokes that can block sightlines, similar to other controllers but with more flexibility. While she may have a high skill ceiling and require good game sense, Astra’s strategic impact can be game-changing. For players who enjoy strategic planning and map control, Astra is an excellent choice.
KAY/O’s suppression and anti-ability abilities make him a valuable character in Deadlock. His ZERO/POINT ability suppresses enemies, preventing them from using their abilities. His FLASH/DRIVE throws a flash that can be charged for a longer duration. KAY/O’s NULL/CMD ultimate makes him energized, granting him faster fire rates and the ability to be revived by teammates if eliminated. What makes KAY/O particularly valuable is his ability to counter ability-reliant characters – his suppression can completely shut down enemies who depend on their abilities. His FRAG/MENT ability deals damage in an area, clearing out enemies behind cover. While he may lack the utility of some other characters, KAY/O’s anti-ability capabilities make him essential in certain matchups. For teams looking to counter ability-heavy compositions, KAY/O is a solid choice.
Neon’s speed and mobility abilities make her a unique character in Deadlock. Her High Gear ability increases her movement speed, allowing her to quickly reposition and take aggressive fights. Her Relay Bolt fires an energy bolt that concusses enemies twice, making them vulnerable. Neon’s Overdrive ultimate allows her to slide and fire with increased accuracy, making her deadly in close-range fights. What makes Neon particularly valuable is her ability to take aggressive fights and escape safely – her speed allows her to choose when to engage and disengage. Her Fast Lane ability creates two walls of electricity that block vision and damage enemies who pass through them. While she may be less effective at longer ranges, Neon’s close-range combat capabilities are unmatched. For players who enjoy fast-paced, aggressive gameplay, Neon is an excellent choice.
Yoru’s deception and mobility abilities make him a unique character in Deadlock. His Fakeout ability creates a sound decoy that can distract enemies and draw their attention. His Blindside sends a flash that travels through walls, blinding enemies when it pops. Yoru’s Dimensional Drift ultimate allows him to become invisible and invulnerable, moving freely through the map. What makes Yoru particularly valuable is his ability to create chaos and confusion – enemies never know if he’s using a decoy or actually pushing. His Gatecrash ability sends a teleport tether that he can later teleport to, giving him unexpected positioning options. While he may lack the utility of some other characters, Yoru’s deception capabilities can be game-changing in the right hands. For players who enjoy mind games and unpredictable plays, Yoru is an excellent choice.
Harbor’s water control abilities make him a unique character in Deadlock. His High Tide ability sends a wall of water that blocks bullets and slows enemies who pass through it. His Cove ability creates a sphere of water that blocks bullets, providing temporary cover. Harbor’s Reckoning ultimate sends a geyser that tracks enemies and launches them, making them vulnerable. What makes Harbor valuable is his ability to control sightlines and delay enemy pushes – his water abilities can block important angles and slow down enemy advances. His Cascade ability sends a wave of water that blocks bullets and damages enemies. While he may lack the damage output of some other characters, Harbor’s control capabilities can be valuable in certain situations. For teams looking to strengthen their defensive setups with a unique style of control, Harbor is a decent choice.
Chamber’s utility and teleport abilities make him a unique character in Deadlock. His Trademark ability places a trap that scans for enemies and slows them when detected. His Rendezvous ability places two teleport anchors that he can teleport between, giving him unexpected positioning options. Chamber’s Headhunter ability allows him to equip a powerful pistol that can eliminate enemies with precise shots. What makes Chamber valuable is his ability to hold angles and escape dangerous situations – his teleport allows him to take aggressive positions and retreat safely. His Tour De Force ultimate equips a powerful sniper rifle that eliminates enemies with one shot to the body. While he may lack the team utility of some other characters, Chamber’s individual impact can be significant in the right hands. For players who enjoy holding angles and making precise shots, Chamber is a decent choice.
Fade’s recon and fear abilities make her a unique character in Deadlock. Her Haunt ability sends an orb that reveals enemies who are in its line of sight when it explodes. Her Prowler sends a creature that tracks and nearsights enemies it finds. Fade’s Nightfall ultimate sends a wave of terror that tracks enemies and applies decay, making them vulnerable. What makes Fade valuable is her ability to gather information and initiate fights – her abilities can reveal enemy positions and make them easier to eliminate. Her Seize ability sends a tether that pulls enemies to its center, making them vulnerable. While she may lack the damage output of some other characters, Fade’s recon capabilities can be valuable for gathering information. For teams looking to strengthen their information gathering and initiation, Fade is a decent choice.
I update this Deadlock tier list regularly to reflect the current meta, balance changes, and competitive trends. Major updates typically occur after each balance patch and significant meta shifts. I recommend checking back monthly for the most up-to-date rankings.
For beginners, I recommend starting with characters like Brimstone or Sage who have straightforward abilities and clear roles. Brimstone’s smokes and damage boost are easy to understand and use effectively, while Sage’s healing and resurrection abilities can help new players contribute to their team even while learning the game’s mechanics.
S-tier characters in Deadlock typically have a combination of high win rates, pick rates in competitive play, and versatile abilities that impact the game significantly. These characters often have strong utility, high damage potential, or unique abilities that can single-handedly change the outcome of rounds.
Countering high-tier characters in Deadlock requires understanding their strengths and weaknesses. For example, characters with strong area control like Viper can be countered by characters who can quickly reposition like Jett. Information-gathering characters like Sova can be countered by characters who can deny information like Omen. The key is to adapt your strategy and character selection based on the enemy team composition.
Absolutely! While tier lists provide general guidelines, player skill and game sense often matter more than character selection. A skilled player using a C-tier character can outperform an average player using an S-tier character. The key is to master a character that fits your playstyle and complements your team composition.
This Deadlock characters tier list should serve as a comprehensive guide for understanding the current meta and making informed decisions about which characters to invest your time in mastering. Remember that while tier lists provide valuable insights, personal skill and game sense ultimately determine your success in Deadlock. The most important thing is to find characters that you enjoy playing and fit your playstyle.
For more Deadlock guides, tips, and strategies, be sure to check out our other articles on Boundbyflame.com. We cover everything from character-specific guides to general gameplay tips to help you improve your skills and climb the competitive ladder.
