How to Set Up a Custom Match in Deadlock (Lobbies, Bots and Spectating)

To set up a Deadlock custom match, open Play, choose Custom Match and create a new custom lobby. You can then invite friends, fill empty slots with bots, add spectators and change the match settings before everyone readies up. Deadlock is still in early development, so Valve changes menus often, but the custom lobby is the place to practise, play privately with friends or watch a friend's match.

Deadlock custom match at a glance

How do you create a custom match in Deadlock?

1. From the main menu, click Play.
2. Choose Custom Match, then Create new custom lobby.
3. You're now in the lobby screen, with two teams of six slots, plus spectator and unassigned slots.

Older guides mention typing private_lobby_create in the console (F7). That was the original method before the menu option existed; you shouldn't need it now.

How do you invite friends to a Deadlock lobby?

Invite them straight from your Steam friends list in the lobby, or share the lobby's invite code, which you'll find under the match settings. Once your friends are in, they click an empty slot on either team to join it.

How do you add bots in Deadlock?

Open the match settings in your custom lobby and turn bots on, then pick a bot difficulty. Bots fill any empty team slots, which makes custom matches a good way to practise a new hero. Bots only appear in custom lobbies; they're not part of normal matchmaking. Valve also made custom match settings, such as cheats and bot difficulty, default to whatever you used last time, so you don't have to set them up from scratch each time.

How do you spectate a friend's match in Deadlock?

In a custom lobby, join one of the spectator slots instead of a team slot. Guides note there are only two spectator slots, and spectators also need to ready up before the match can start. This is the easiest way to watch friends play, coach a team or cast a private game.

Can you use cheats in a Deadlock custom match?

Yes. Custom match settings include an Enable Cheats option, which is useful for testing items and abilities. Practice-friendly options people use in custom lobbies include faster respawns and extra resources, but the exact list changes as Valve updates the game.

How do you start the custom match?

1. Make sure every player and spectator clicks Ready.
2. Pick your heroes.
3. The lobby host clicks Start Match once it appears.

You can also choose the server region in the match settings, or let the game pick one for you.

What else is new in Deadlock?

Valve keeps updating Deadlock regularly. Recent changes include a matchmaking update in July 2026 that limits Ranked Mode to solo or duo parties (duos must be within one rank of each other), the Street Brawl mode, a "City Never Sleeps" update in September 2026, and new heroes chosen by community vote, with Solomon arriving on October 9, 2026. Deadlock is free on Steam and still in early development, and Valve hasn't released an official trailer.

More Deadlock and Valve on iGame Magazine

• Deadlock patch notes and exploit fix – an early Deadlock update
• Deadlock anti-cheat – how Valve is tackling cheaters
• Steam Frame review roundup – Valve's VR headset

Deadlock custom match FAQ