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New to Deadlock modding? Learn what a mod can change, what is off limits, what you need, and which guide to follow first.
This page is your map to Deadlock modding. It explains what a mod is, what you can make, and which guide to read first. You do not need any tools yet.
What a Deadlock mod is
A Deadlock mod is a file that ends in .vpk. It holds new versions of game files, such as a hero texture or a sound. Each new file sits at the same path as the game file it replaces.
The game loads mods from one folder: game/citadel/addons/. A mod manager sets this up for you. You can also do it by hand.
Mods are client-side. They change the game on your PC only. Other players see the normal game.
How Deadlock mods work explains this in more detail.
What you can make
This wiki covers mods that change how the game looks and sounds:
- Hero skins, recolors, and materials.
- Sounds for your own hero, voice lines, and music.
- Hero portraits, icons, item art, and menu art.
- Text, such as item names.
We never cover mods that give you an advantage. That includes timers, enemy info, louder enemy sounds, bright or see-through skins, and smaller models. What's allowed and how to stay safe lists them all and explains why.
What you need
To play with mods:
- Deadlock on Steam, updated to the latest version.
- A Windows or Linux PC.
- Deadlock Mod Manager, or a text editor to install mods by hand.
To make your own mods:
- A Windows PC. The main creator toolset runs on Windows only.
- Source 2 Viewer, to open and export game files.
- CSDK 12, a free, unofficial community toolset, to compile your files.
- An image editor, such as GIMP or Photoshop.
- An audio editor, such as Audacity.
- Blender, later, if you want to change 3D models.
Set up your creator tools walks you through each install.
Your learning path
Follow these guides in order. Each one builds on the one before.
- What's allowed and how to stay safe: the rules, and how to avoid malware.
- Install mods with Deadlock Mod Manager: try other people's mods first.
- Set up your creator tools: install Source 2 Viewer and CSDK 12.
- Replace a sound: your first mod.
- Recolor with material values: change a hero's colors.
- Replace portraits, icons, and item art: swap images in the menus.
After your first mods, move on to bigger projects:
- Swap a prop model, such as the soul container.
- Retexture a hero.
- Recolor ability effects.
- Replace a hero model.
Stuck on a word or idea? Modding basics explains how mods, file paths, and VPK files work.
Frequently asked questions
Where to get help
- GameBanana: the main place to download Deadlock mods and ask questions. Open the Deadlock section.
- Deadlock Modding Discord: most creators help each other here. It may ask you to verify through Valve's official Deadlock Discord first. Join the server.
- Deadlock GB Community Discord: a public server run by GameBanana's Deadlock team. Use it if you cannot get into the modding Discord. Join the server.
- Deadlock Modding Notes: a community site with written guides. Open the site.
A full list of help pages and error fixes is on the way.
Next steps
Credits
This page is based on the work of these creators. Check out their original pages.
- Site: Deadlock section on GameBanana.
- Rules: Deadlock section rules by the GameBanana Deadlock section managers.
- Guide: Deadlock Modding Notes by the Deadlock Modding community.
- Reference: Deadlock on the Valve Developer Community wiki.