Best Deadlock Settings for FPS Performance

For the best FPS performance in Deadlock, prioritize a mix of low-impact visual settings and a few key tweaks that offload work from your CPU and GPU. The top pick is to use the game’s built-in Performance preset as a starting point, then manually disable Volumetric Lighting, set Shadow Quality to Low, and cap your frame rate slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate for consistent frame pacing. This combination gives you the largest FPS boost with minimal visual loss, and it works on both mid-range and high-end systems.

What to Look For

When optimizing Deadlock for FPS, focus on settings that have the biggest impact on performance without ruining gameplay clarity. The most important criteria are:

• GPU-bound settings – Resolution, anti-aliasing, texture quality, and effects like volumetric lighting and ambient occlusion are heavy on the GPU. Lowering these gives immediate FPS gains.
• CPU-bound settings – Deadlock is a MOBA with many units and abilities, so it can be CPU-heavy. Settings like shadow quality and reflections often use the CPU more than you’d think.
• Frame pacing – A stable frame rate feels better than a higher average with stutters. Use the in-game frame limiter or your GPU driver’s control panel to cap FPS.
• Competitive clarity – You want to see enemies clearly. Lowering shadows and effects can actually improve visibility by reducing visual clutter.

Option 1: The Balanced Performer (Recommended)

This is the sweet spot for most players. It keeps the game looking decent while maximizing FPS.

• Preset: Start with the Performance preset, then adjust a few settings upward.
• Key settings: Set Shadow Quality to Low, Volumetric Lighting to Disabled, Anti-Aliasing to FXAA (or TAA if you prefer smoother edges), and Texture Quality to Medium or High (if your GPU has enough VRAM).
• Strengths: Great FPS boost with minimal visual impact. Shadows are still visible but less detailed, which is fine for competitive play.
• Trade-offs: You lose some ambiance and lighting effects, but gameplay clarity improves.
• Best for: Most players on mid-range PCs (GTX 1060 / RX 580 or better) who want a smooth 60-144 FPS experience.

Option 2: The Competitive Max FPS

If you’re chasing the highest frame rates possible, this is the way to go. It prioritizes performance over everything else.

• Key settings: Set everything to Low or Disabled. Turn off Anti-Aliasing entirely, set Resolution Scale to 75% or lower if needed, and disable Motion Blur and Depth of Field.
• Strengths: Maximum FPS, often doubling your frame rate compared to High settings. The game becomes very responsive and input lag is minimized.
• Trade-offs: The game looks noticeably worse, with jagged edges and flat lighting. But in a fast-paced MOBA, this trade-off is often worth it for the competitive edge.
• Best for: Players with low-end GPUs, or those with high-refresh-rate monitors (144Hz+) who want to hit those high frame rates consistently.

Option 3: The Visual Balance

This option is for players who want a good-looking game but still need decent FPS. It sacrifices some performance for better visuals.

• Key settings: Use the High preset, but lower Shadow Quality to Medium, Volumetric Lighting to Low, and Ambient Occlusion to Medium. Keep Texture Quality on High.
• Strengths: The game looks great, with good lighting and effects, while still maintaining playable frame rates.
• Trade-offs: You’ll get lower FPS than the other options, and you may need a powerful GPU to keep it above 60 FPS.
• Best for: Players who prioritize visuals and have a high-end GPU (RTX 2060 / RX 5700 or better).

Option 4: The Low-Spec Lifesaver

For very old or integrated GPUs, this is the only way to play Deadlock smoothly.

• Key settings: Set Resolution Scale to 50-75%, all settings to Low or Disabled, and make sure V-Sync is off. Also, lower your desktop resolution if the game still runs poorly.
• Strengths: Makes the game playable on hardware that would otherwise struggle. You’ll get a playable frame rate, even if it’s low.
• Trade-offs: The game will look very blurry and basic. But it’s better than not being able to play at all.
• Best for: Players with integrated graphics (Intel UHD, AMD Vega) or very old dedicated GPUs (GTX 700 series or older).

Option 5: The Driver-Side Tweak

This isn’t an in-game setting, but it’s crucial for FPS. Updating your GPU drivers and using the control panel can give you a free performance boost.

• Key settings: Update to the latest drivers for your GPU (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel). In the control panel, set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance, and enable Low Latency Mode (NVIDIA) or Anti-Lag (AMD).
• Strengths: Can improve FPS by 5-10% and reduce input lag, with no visual changes.
• Trade-offs: None, really. Just make sure you have the correct drivers installed.
• Best for: Everyone. This is a no-brainer optimization.

How to Choose

Start by identifying your hardware. If you have a mid-range GPU (GTX 1060 or better), go with the Balanced Performer. If you have a high-end GPU (RTX 2070 or better), you can try the Visual Balance and still get 100+ FPS. For low-end systems, the Competitive Max FPS or Low-Spec Lifesaver is your only option.

Your monitor’s refresh rate matters too. If you have a 60Hz monitor, capping FPS at 60 will give you a consistent experience without wasting GPU power. For 144Hz monitors, aim for at least 144 FPS, which may require lowering settings further.

The biggest trade-off is visuals vs. performance. If you’re playing casually, you can afford to turn up settings. If you’re playing ranked or competitively, prioritize FPS and clarity. Remember, you can always tweak settings in the practice range to find the perfect balance for your system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Deadlock have an FPS cap?

Yes, you can set a frame rate limit in the video settings. It’s recommended to cap it slightly below your monitor’s refresh rate to reduce screen tearing and stutter.

Is V-Sync good for Deadlock?

V-Sync can cause input lag, which is bad for a competitive game. It’s better to leave it off and use a frame limiter instead.

Will lowering resolution scale hurt my aim?

Lowering resolution scale makes the game blurrier, which can make it harder to spot enemies at long range. But it also increases FPS, which can improve your aim. It’s a personal trade-off.

Does Deadlock use more CPU or GPU?

Deadlock is a MOBA with many units, so it can be CPU-heavy, especially in team fights. However, the GPU is still the main bottleneck for most players.

Should I turn off shadows entirely?

Turning shadows to Low is a big FPS boost, but turning them off entirely can make it hard to see character silhouettes and abilities. Low is usually the best option.

Why is my FPS dropping even on low settings?

This could be due to a CPU bottleneck, overheating, or background processes. Check your CPU and GPU temperatures, and close any unnecessary programs while playing.

Bottom Line

For the best FPS performance in Deadlock, start with the Performance preset, then disable Volumetric Lighting and set Shadow Quality to Low. This gives you a massive FPS boost with minimal visual loss. If you need even more FPS, lower the resolution scale and turn off anti-aliasing. Remember to update your drivers and cap your frame rate for a smooth experience. Your specific settings will depend on your hardware, but these tips will get you on the right track.

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