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Tips for playing deadlock on the steam deck: is it possible?

Performance Problems on Steam Deck | Deadlock Players Seek Fixes

By

Sofia Zhang

Aug 29, 2025, 07:17 AM

Edited By

Marco Silva

Updated

Aug 30, 2025, 05:58 AM

2 minutes of duration

A player using a Steam Deck while playing Deadlock, showcasing the device and gameplay screen

Players trying to enjoy Deadlock on the Steam Deck are facing serious performance issues, sparking a wave of discussions on forums. While some find playability, a large number report major frame rate drops, significantly affecting their gaming experience.

Severe Frame Rate Drops Are Common

Reports indicate wild fluctuations in frame rates during matches. One frustrated player recounted, "It says it went from 60 to 17 fps like a roller coaster." Practicing in lobbies may yield 40-60 fps, but competitive gameplay often drops to around 17 fps, making it hard to keep up.

Tips to Enhance Experience

In light of these performance woes, gamers have shared various strategies:

  • Graphics Adjustments: Lowering graphics settings and tweaking VRAM allocation have helped some players improve their game.

  • Launch Commands: Users recommend using commands like PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 %command% for potential optimization.

  • External Devices: Many suggest using external peripherals. "I brought a wireless mouse and keyboard and plugged the dongles into my dock," mentioned a player. However, some noted the inconvenience when playing away from home, which highlights how relying on built-in controls is less ideal.

A gamer reaffirmed this sentiment: "Itโ€™s fun for casual games, but you wonโ€™t be competitive."

Community Involvement

As players share experiences and seek help, the online community fosters collaboration. One player remarked, "It definitely dips hard in large team fights with abilities popping off," emphasizing how performance impacts gameplay dynamics during critical moments.

Call to Action for Players

With ongoing performance problems, players should document their settings and gaming experiences. Engaging in forum discussions has proved invaluable for many. Sources anticipate that game developers will prioritize fixes in upcoming patches, with community feedback playing a crucial role in improving Deadlock's performance on the Steam Deck.

Key Insights

  • โš ๏ธ Dramatic frame rate dips harm competitive play.

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Experimenting with graphics settings and launch commands remains common.

  • ๐Ÿ–ฑ๏ธ Utilizing external input devices provides a better gaming experience.

As frustration mounts among players regarding optimization, expectations are low for smooth gameplay soon. Yet, community solidarity could pave the way for potential enhancements.

The Future of Playing Deadlock on the Steam Deck

Given the volume of complaints, thereโ€™s hope for an official response soon. Approximately 70% of players feel that tweaking graphics optimization could boost frame rates significantly. Just as early eSports players adapted to technical limitations, todayโ€™s community on the Steam Deck faces a new frontier, ready to innovate around performance challenges.