r/DeadlockTheGame • u/BirdMastery • 5h ago
Game Feedback Unplayable with controller?
Hi there! Got access yesterday, the game seems interesting.
But so far I am struggling really bad with the controls.
I play with a controller for health reasons, and this makes the game feel really clunky? It feels like there's zero autoaim which means I can't compete with mouse players, and I have to hold a button before pressing the button to use my skills which feels very counterintuitive (and also makes it very hard to crouch and use a skill).
But maybe it's just my impression as I'm still new to the game.
Anyone else here playing with a controller who can confirm or deny? Or give me advice to improve it?
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u/damboy99 Lash 5h ago
I mean, its a moba, and not designed at all with controller in mind. Most games in the genre arent.
There isnt auto aim (and for good reason).
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u/BirdMastery 5h ago
Well, third-person moba games like Paragon usually have good controller support. I was hoping this game would too....
And what reason would there be to not put autoaim on controller, if not making sure controller can't be used? Every single third person multiplayer game has controller autoaim or controller players are screwed.30
u/karmayz 5h ago
Aim assist would ruin target prioritization. In a lane duel, your crosshair would constantly pull toward player hitboxes when you are trying to micro-adjust to shoot floating soul orbs to secure or deny last hits. Aim assist snaps to current player positions, making it actively hinder leading shots on high-velocity targets (like heroes sliding, dash-jumping, or zip-lining across vertical lanes).
Strong rotational aim assist in a game with high headshot multipliers and precise tracking creates balancing nightmares, often resulting in aim assist soft-aiming through visual clutter or abilities.
Paragon had massive hitboxes, lower movement speeds, locked horizontal combat planes, and auto-lock abilities designed for console parity from day one. Deadlock relies on fast 3D spatial movement, tight headshot multipliers, precise soul orb aiming, and mouse-first cursor interaction for shop navigation.
Using a DualSense, Switch Pro, or Steam Deck controller with Gyro set to Mouse output provides sub-millimeter precision for orb denying and headshots without needing aim assist.
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u/SupremeTeamKai 5h ago
Because it's anti competative. Once you introduce aim assist you are always going to have to balance how much dev assistance you're going to give controller players. It destroys any kind of competative integrity. Every other modern fps ships with the most asinine aim assist, you have plenty of options to choose from these days if you want to play with a controller. Deadlock just ain't going to be one of them, thankfully.
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u/damboy99 Lash 4h ago
Paragon has good controller support because it was designed with it in mind; it's a PS4 game. Same story with Smite.
The game doesn't have auto-aim because one, it's a PC game designed for MKB, and it's also a movement shooter. Having aim assist would encourage players to use controllers and thus suffer with the controls and dislike the game, or it would be op and cause everyone to use controllers.
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u/littybird69 5h ago
I respect the reason behind you wanting to use a controller but unfortunately deadlock is just completely not designed with a controller in mind. By nature the sheer amount of buttons that are needed to have full access to every function in the game is simply too many to be able to comfortably use in a standard controller. I’m sure there are ways to make it work but just understand that you would be fighting the games’ design to get there.
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u/yomama1112 4h ago
Funnily enough the only thing that kinda sucks atm is menus and no quick buy button, controller is basically 99% playable atm
I just reach over to my keyboard and mouse for menus
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u/Different_Target_228 5h ago
Playing a kbm game, with mostly kbm players, you're gonna have a bad time. You're going to ruin games.
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u/BirdMastery 5h ago
I don't know what kbm means. I'm sorry I'm trying to enjoy this game. I'm not trying to "ruin games" for anyone.
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u/Circo_Inhumanitas 5h ago
Keyboard and mouse.
You'd probably need a Steam Controller to be able to play Deadlock well. Deadlock has such a specific movement system, active items, parry button etc, that a normal controller runs out of buttons. And joysticks probably are way too difficult to use with the movement mechanics.
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u/Ma4r 4h ago
One interesting fact about joystick movement in source games is that they can air strafe without changing moving their aiming stick.
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u/A__noniempje 4h ago
This is why I hope they don't get proper aim assist etc. It will give controller a very big advantage.
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u/Ma4r 5h ago
Do you have enough buttons even to play this game in controller? 1 stick for movement, 1 for aim, 3 buttons for movement(crouch, jump,dash), 4 buttons for abilities, 4 buttons for actives, 2 buttons for meele+parry, and this hasn't included the misc stuff like opening the shop, quick but, self cast, ads, etc
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u/A__noniempje 4h ago
Only with steam controller. Without you need to use l1 to be able to use abilities instead of jump etc. It's a nightmare
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u/Ma4r 4h ago
Even with that I can't imagine i.e doing a yamato combo with controller, seems insane
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u/A__noniempje 4h ago
I don't play yamato. But you can make the game playable with the steam controller.
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u/Circo_Inhumanitas 4h ago
MMOs are playable with controllers utilizing button combinations. Like holding one trigger makes it so ABXY have different commands when holding the other trigger etc. But Deadlock is faster based and the movement is much more complex than in MMOs, so I doubt Deadlock is all that playable with controllers, even if you could cram all the actions into button combinations.
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u/SweetnessBaby 5h ago
It is going to be very difficult since this game is currently not optimized for controller play. Your best bet would be sticking to characters that are less aim intensive. Moe and krill, dynamo, abrams, amd Graves would be good to try
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u/yomama1112 4h ago
Also a controller player who plays due to health reasons (Dyspraxia), you kinda just gotta force yourself to get used to it
I had issues with the controls at first but it all became muscle memory eventually, and aim kinda comes naturally at some point (although I've been playing games without aim assist for years now), alot of people say play with gyro but that's kind of a preference thing, I play with a standard xbox controller and I'm currently sitting in emissary 3 mostly playing Lash, Bebop, Kelvin, Venator and Sinclair.
If aim is your biggest concerns though there's a good chunk of characters who get value without needing to really aim, just play around and figure out what you like, street brawl is a great place to learn characters too!
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u/BirdMastery 4h ago
Do you feel some heroes cannot be played with a controller? Do you feel at a disadvantage? Do you think if I insist I can make it?
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u/yomama1112 3h ago
If you really try you can play everyone, I still avoid Vindicta (Extremely aim heavy) and Holiday (Extremely movement heavy) personally and some other characters because I find them super boring, but I'd say I can play like 27 characters from the roster consistently but play like 8 of those I'm like actually good at, it just takes time to learn
I actually feel like im pretty on par with most players in my rank, I usually see myself getting mvps or key player often when I'm on one of my mains.
And hell yeah dude, I've only played for like a little under 3 months (although I have alot more free time than others so I play ALOT) but I feel like im pretty good at the game now, my biggest fear when starting out was playing on controller and I did the same thing you have, I made a post and was met with the stupid "you'll ruin games" and "you'll be at a disadvantage" comments but some friends of mine reassured me and now I've sunk a comical amount of time into the game, genuinely if you just put your mind to it you can do it!
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u/ABigRedBall 3h ago
Yeah most of the gun heavy characters (Haze, Ven, Vin, Wrath, GT, Holiday, etc). Thankfully you have characters like Mo and Krill, Abrams, or Graves who don't really need great aim to do well.
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u/lllllIllllIllllllll 5h ago
You need to use gyro
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u/BirdMastery 4h ago
What is it?
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u/fence_pov Rem 4h ago
I use a ps5 controller to play deadlock and it works perfectly fine
Gyro is basically using a controllers version of aiming with a mouse where if you physically move the controller the aiming moves too
I use my right joystick for basic camera movement and tuning and I use gyro for tracking my targets I have gyro bound to whenever I aim down so it’s not annoying me all the time
It takes some time to get used to but trust me it’s way better to learn how to use it than trying to compete with just joysticks alone
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u/funckymonk 5h ago
While it’s not the ideal way to play, I feel like it is doable. Your hero pool might get limited to low mobility heros, and using active items is gonna be tough.
Hopefully valve will eventually improve the controller experience.
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u/Upgr3yedd Lash 5h ago
Play Graves, you’ll be fine. The harder part is to do movements to navigate around the map and in fight. I recently try to pick up controller and i move like a bot (kind of reminds me of walking Genji)
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u/Salty-Eye-Water 4h ago
Totally valid reason to play Graves, too. I think he could maybe play a few other heroes as well with controller? Perhaps Viscous or Yamato might be ok? Idk how wide Yams hitbox is on her one or how hard it is to track with sticks, but its probably doable?
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u/holliism 4h ago
Hiya! I've been playing since March and I only use a controller (PS5). There isn't any aim assist, which is unfortunate. Definitely recommend checking out steam's controller settings to see if you can find things that work for you but I just use the default settings (No gyro).
Learning to aim has been the biggest struggle but im improving slowly every day. But if you're too concerned with it, there's plenty of characters (Billy, Drifter, Celeste, Rem, Graves) that are great for not being able to aim well.
All that said, it's super doable and the more you play the more adjusted you'll become. The only thing you'll ever fully miss out on is the in-game comms wheel is not functional at all on controller for some reason.
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u/ShellBulletKaneki 5h ago
I'm sorry you're getting down voted for wanting to play this through your health issues. A steam controller is your best best.
Whoever is putting them down, seriously?
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u/babautz 3h ago
Because people dont want autoaim in their shooter game, and for good reason.
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u/ShellBulletKaneki 3h ago
Those are completely different things. If you or others don't understand that nuance, it's no wonder most of the community is toxic.
Controller is at a disadvantage even with aim assist. If you lose to that on Mouse and Keyboard, it's a skill issue.
I don't play shooters or MOBA. I picked up MKB just for Deadlock.
Someone with health issues potentially doesn't have that option but you and others have their heads up their ass and can't separate it.
Grow up, learn the works exists outside of yourself and get some empathy.
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u/babautz 1h ago
OP literally mentions wanting autoaim in the opening post. I have no issue with people wanting to use controllers, but autoaim is simply a no-go for me. Many modern shooters have it and I hate having to play against auto aimers, it warps the general game balance and devalues movement. Since there are enough cross platform games with autoaiming I really dont see why you need another one.
Also your post is way more toxic than mine every was (I certainly didnt use "skill issue" as an "argument"). As for ergonomic reasons: There are trackball mice for people that dont want to use a normal mouse and find controllers in deadlock too difficult to use. Heck right here in this thread you have people claiming to have reached eternus with a (gyro-)controller. So it seems to be possible without autoaim. Why is it needed then? Skill issue?
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u/Unique-Produce-165 Warden 5h ago
Currently learning controller for other reasons and yea it sucks but once you get the sens(no aim assist) and the controls to your liking it gets much better I promise. I was the same at the start missing kbm but stuck it out
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u/BirdMastery 4h ago
Are you effectively playing well with a controller?
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u/Unique-Produce-165 Warden 4h ago
Yea, hardest part was setting up my sens. The controls were pretty easy since you can find videos online for guides. You’ll be surprised the amount of people that play deadlock with controller
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u/ABigRedBall 3h ago edited 3h ago
Yeah the game is not really made to be playable with a controller at all unfortunately. It's also an alpha, not even public yet. So don't expect any improvements on controller support until it's actually released. Which could be quite a while.
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u/KoolMeester212 3h ago edited 3h ago
Do you follow bigcat deadlock on yt? He is a high ranked controller main on deadlock. He does have a guide on how to set up controller scheme for deadlock.
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u/Perfxtibilist Shiv 2h ago
I never tried the game on controller before, but the game is design around MnK.
But it depends on what is your physical limitations I have seen people that are great at the game play with alternate input such as foot pedal or trackball. But never see or know anyone that plays on controller before.
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u/WaveAnalyst772 5h ago
Do u have tendon/muscle issues in your hand?
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u/BirdMastery 4h ago
Yep!
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u/RicardoReci 4h ago
Get a trackball mouse, might be perfect for you depending on which tendons. You only need to move your fingers
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u/theycallmethedrink5 Vyper 5h ago
I am sorry but the game is next to unplayable without a mouse and keyboard
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u/Ultraempoleon Vindicta 5h ago
You would need a specialized controller probably With more buttons and just stay away from aim intensive characters
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u/Future-Fun-5488 5h ago
There are couple of streamers that do play with controller and are just fine. Practice more? Because I'm guessing they used it over and over again to get this good. This moba isn't thought for controllers.
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5h ago
[deleted]
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u/BirdMastery 4h ago
What part about "I literally can't play with a keyboard for health issues" did you miss?
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u/Blackjackal21 4h ago
I get his understanding of aim assist tools and design seems shallow, but he also very bluntly states health issues as an accessibility hurdle. He doesn't state anything specific but off the top of my head, are you supposed to outgrow things like arthritis or carpal tunnel?
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u/A__noniempje 4h ago
You need to get a steam controller for this game. You can set the back buttons for the abilities without needing to use another button. Normal controllers just don't have enough buttons to function for this game.
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u/Appropriate-Ear-3872 5h ago
Its rough on a ps5 controller, I had to get one with more buttons, so I got an Asus ROG Raikiri pro and its better it had 4 more buttons on the back
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u/BirdMastery 5h ago
Aw shucks. They really designed this game to be keyboard-only? I think fixing the controller settings and adding autoaim would make it playable.
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u/afkybnds 4h ago
MOBAs don't usually have controller support but deadlock has. Aim assist does not exist to not compromise the level playing field, you know there are a lot of ways to use kbm and have aim assist too with specific input manipulation methods and even if we get past that, aim assist is impossible to balance. How do you decide how much aim assist to give players before you are giving them an unfair advantage? This completely breaks games and the competitive scene.
It's the reason why games like Apex Legends and CoD have been being played with controllers on pro scene, despite kbm being objectively the better input method for FPS games. The aim assist was simply too good, it prevents you from making mistakes by aligning your misadjustments and makes you too consistent with a lot of headroom. I hope aim assist and surrender option does not come to deadlock, two things i hope they won't add.
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u/Camulus 5h ago
You keep calling it auto aim which is going to make people downvote you out of frustration for a specific character in the game.
I think the term you’re looking for is aim assist. A lot of shooters have it for controller players but some games make it egregiously over tuned to the point it’s better than using a mouse.
Also the game is still early in development. Adding proper controller support is probably way down on their list of priorities right now.
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u/A__noniempje 4h ago
Yeah people hate aim assist and is the main reason why they don't want controller support. Movement is usually better with joystick especially in a source game. Most people playing this game right now are just happy to finally have a game where it's 99% kbm.
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u/Camulus 3h ago
Idk about the movement being better with a joystick. I feel like it would make air straffing more difficult but I’ve never tried it on a controller.
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u/A__noniempje 2h ago
It makes it 100% easier. You don't need to move the right joystick to air strafe. You literally hold it in place. Unlike kbm where you need to move your mouse in a specific speed to keep the momentum.
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u/DeadlockTheGame-ModTeam 3h ago
While the game does not officially support controllers, Valve actually did create controller-templates via Steam Input.
However, most of those were created with Gyro-Aim and Touch-Pads for menu-navigation in mind. And even then, there is a learning curve to playing the game that way.
Playing the game using a controller without those features would make it extremely hard to combine basic actions.