Valve Releases Emergency Deadlock Update Changing Soul Urn Mechanics Again

Valve released an emergency update for Deadlock on May 22, 2026, changing the Soul Urn mechanics again. The update is live now globally.

Urn drop-off point moved to side lane

The Urn drop-off point moved from the center of the map to under the bridge in the side lane. This shift alters where teams need to contest the objective.

The Urn carrier now has maximum sprint acceleration, plus +2m Sprint, +1 Stamina, +10% Dash Distance, and +15% Stamina Regen. The favored Urn (for the losing team) pickup spot moved to old comeback drop-off spots, and its resist aura reduced to 35%.

Deposit times and collision radius increased

Deposit times increased: 5 seconds for favored, 10 seconds neutral, 15 seconds unfavored. The contest timer extension rose to 3 seconds, and the Urn collision radius increased by 20%. Other minor timer tweaks were also applied.

Valve developer Yoshi asked players to continue providing feedback on the Urn as the team iterates. The update follows a previous rework that had caused chaotic gameplay over the weekend.

The changes are designed to make the Urn mechanic more balanced and less disruptive. Players can expect smoother matches with the new timings and movement bonuses.

Source: PCGAMESN