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Deadlock Tiers

Guide

How to Install Deadlock Mods

The addons folder, the one gameinfo.gi change, file names, and what to do after every patch.

Updated ·Refreshed daily from public match data·Methodology

Last game update: October 15, 2026 (Minor Update - 10-14-2026). If your mods stopped working since then, the update probably reset gameinfo.gi — redo step 2.

How do you install mods in Deadlock?

Deadlock has no mod menu, so you install mods by hand in three steps. First, open the game folder (Steam → Deadlock → Manage → Browse local files) and create a folder called addons inside game\citadel. Second, open game\citadel\gameinfo.gi in a text editor and add Game citadel/addons as the first Game line in the SearchPaths block — without it the game ignores the folder. Third, put each mod's .vpk file in addons and name it pak01_dir.vpk, pak02_dir.vpk and so on. Every game update resets gameinfo.gi, so expect to redo step two after patches, or let a free mod manager handle steps two and three for you. Stick to cosmetic mods; anything that gives you information or changes gameplay is cheating.

Step 1 – Find the game folder and create addons

  1. In Steam, right-click Deadlock → Manage → Browse local files.
  2. Open game, then citadel. The default full path is:

Default Windows path

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Deadlock\game\citadel

Create a new folder here named addons (lowercase). This is where every mod file goes.

Step 2 – Tell the game to load addons (gameinfo.gi)

  1. Copy gameinfo.gi (same folder) somewhere safe as a backup.
  2. Open it with Notepad. If Windows won't let you save, clear "Read-only" in the file's Properties.
  3. Find the SearchPaths block and make it look like this — the only new line is Game citadel/addons:

SearchPaths block in game\citadel\gameinfo.gi

SearchPaths
{
    Game                citadel/addons
    Mod                 citadel
    Write               citadel
    Game                citadel
    Write               core
    Mod                 core
    Game                core
}

Keep every brace. A missing { or } gives a "Failed to parse KeyValues" error at launch — restore the backup if that happens.

Step 3 – Add the mod files

  • Download the mod (most are on GameBanana) and extract it. You need the .vpk file.
  • Move it into citadel\addons and rename it pak01_dir.vpk. The next mod becomes pak02_dir.vpk, and so on — two digits, every number used once.
  • Start the game. If two mods change the same hero or HUD element only one will show; remove one or swap their numbers and test.

Prefer not to edit files? The free, open-source Deadlock Mod Manager installs mods from GameBanana, keeps a load order and re-applies the gameinfo.gi line when you press "Launch Modded". It isn't code-signed, so Windows SmartScreen asks for confirmation the first time.

After a patch, uninstalling and fixing problems

Game updates and Steam's Verify integrity of game files put back the original gameinfo.gi, which switches every manual mod off at once — just redo step 2. To uninstall, delete the .vpk files from addons; to go fully vanilla, remove the addons line too or run Verify.

ProblemFix
The mod does nothingCheck the file is named pakNN_dir.vpk (for example pak05_dir.vpk), sits directly in citadel\addons, and that gameinfo.gi has the Game citadel/addons line. Restart the game.
Mods stopped after a patchThe update replaced gameinfo.gi. Add the line again (or press Launch Modded in a mod manager), then check the mod page for an updated version.
Only one of two mods worksBoth change the same file. Keep one, or rename them to different pak numbers and test which one shows in game.
“Failed to parse KeyValues” at launchA brace or quote in gameinfo.gi is broken. Restore your backup (or Verify files in Steam) and redo the edit.
Crash after adding a modRemove the most recently added VPK. HUD and model mods are the usual suspects after a patch.

Which mods are safe?

Valve hasn't published a mod policy for Deadlock. Cosmetic, client-side mods — hero skins, HUD tweaks, sounds, menu music — only change what you see and hear, and players use them widely. Mods that reveal hidden enemies, change hitboxes or automate actions are cheats: they can earn a ban, and a VAC ban applies across Valve's Source 2 games. When in doubt, test mods in the Hideout or Sandbox first. We don't host mod files or link to anything that changes gameplay.

Deadlock mods FAQ

How do I install Deadlock mods?＋

Create game\citadel\addons in the Deadlock folder, add the line Game citadel/addons to the SearchPaths block in game\citadel\gameinfo.gi, then drop the mod's .vpk file into addons, named pak01_dir.vpk, pak02_dir.vpk and so on.

Where is the Deadlock mod folder?＋

By default C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Deadlock\game\citadel\addons. The addons folder does not exist until you create it. In Steam you can find the game folder with Deadlock > Manage > Browse local files.

How do I enable mods in Deadlock?＋

Deadlock only reads the addons folder when gameinfo.gi tells it to. Add Game citadel/addons as the first Game line inside SearchPaths, save, and restart the game.

Why did my Deadlock mods stop working after an update?＋

Game updates and Steam's Verify integrity of game files restore the original gameinfo.gi, which removes your addons line. Re-add it after every patch. A mod that changes models or the HUD may also need an update from its author.

What should Deadlock mod files be named?＋

pakNN_dir.vpk with two digits, for example pak01_dir.vpk. Give every mod its own number. Files with other names are ignored.

Can you get banned for Deadlock mods?＋

Valve has not published a mod policy for Deadlock. Players widely use cosmetic mods (skins, HUD, sounds) in normal games. Anything that shows hidden information or changes gameplay is cheating and can get you banned. Use mods at your own risk.

How do I uninstall Deadlock mods?＋

Delete the .vpk files from citadel\addons. To fully reset, also remove the addons line from gameinfo.gi or run Verify integrity of game files in Steam.

Is there a Deadlock mod manager?＋

Yes. Deadlock Mod Manager is a free, open-source Windows and Linux app that installs mods from GameBanana, keeps a load order and re-applies the gameinfo.gi change for you.

Where do I download Deadlock mods?＋

GameBanana hosts most Deadlock mods (skins, HUD, sounds, maps). Only download .vpk files from mod pages with comments and recent updates, and never run an .exe that claims to be a mod.

How do I start making Deadlock mods?＋

Most mods are VPK files built with Source 2 tools from extracted game files. GameBanana's Deadlock tutorials section is the best starting point.

Next: tune your game with our best settings and FPS guide, or pick a hero from the tier list. New to the game? Start with how to play.