Not directly: Deadlock assigns your lane for you. You can ask to be put in the same lane as your party, and once the lanes are shown you can swap with a teammate if they agree.
How lanes are assigned
There are three lanes, each with a zipline running along it. Your team of six is split across them when the match starts. The Lane preference setting decides how:
- Balanced: "Lanes will be assigned based on the skill of all players in the match."
- With Party: "Lane assignments will prioritize keeping your party together." The game warns this may impact game balance, and it's "when possible", not guaranteed.
How to lane with a friend
Queue together as a party and set Lane preference to With Party. If you still end up apart, swap lanes before the match (below).
Swapping lanes before the match
During the pre-match phase you have 30 seconds to change lanes. Click a teammate on the scoreboard to request a swap. They click to accept, or right-click to reject. In ranked you can also change your hero to improve your team's composition.
In a private lobby you can turn off default lane assignments and put every player in a lane yourself.
Is there a jungle in Deadlock?
Yes. The districts, alleyways and tunnels between the lanes work as the jungle: neutral ground both teams farm and fight in. The neutral camps there are called Haunts. Souls from Haunts, crates and Sinner's Sacrifice machines are haunted souls, which you lose if you die before they turn into normal souls.
New to the map? The beginner's guide covers what's in each lane.
Quick answers
Can you choose your lane in Deadlock?
Not directly. The game assigns lanes, but you can swap with a teammate during the 30 seconds before the match if they accept.
How do you get in the same lane as your friend?
Queue as a party and set Lane preference to With Party. The game then tries to keep your party in the same lane.
How many lanes are there in Deadlock?
Three, each with a zipline. The map had four before Valve's map rework in 2025.
Is there a jungle in Deadlock?
Yes. The areas between the lanes are the jungle, with neutral camps called Haunts.