How to Make a Custom Lobby in Deadlock (Bots, Friends & Cheats) 2026
Last updated: June 3, 2026
Custom lobbies are the best-kept secret for improving in Deadlock — a private sandbox where you can test builds, run 1v1s, scrim with friends, or just mess around with cheats and bots. Setting one up takes a console command most players never touch. If you want the full command list in one place, bookmark it here — this is everything you can do.
Deadlock.ioQuick answer: Enable the console (Settings → Enable Console), press F7, type private_lobby_create, then set teams, bots and a region. Invite friends with the lobby's invite code, and type sv_cheats true to unlock practice cheats.
Create the lobby
- Enable the dev console in Settings, then press F7.
- Type private_lobby_create and hit Enter — the setup screen opens.
- Set your region, place players on the two teams (The Amber Hand and The Sapphire Flame, up to 6 each 2 spectators), and toggle bots (Easy / Medium / Hard).
- Share the invite code (bottom-right of the lobby) or invite via your Steam friends list.
Cheat commands for practice
Load in, type sv_cheats true, then use these (private lobbies only — they're bannable in real matches):
| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
| kingme | ~1.2 million souls and levels all abilities |
| citadel_hero_testing_infinite_money true | Infinite souls ability points |
| citadel_allow_purchasing_anywhere true | Buy items anywhere on the map |
| selecthero hero_name | Switch to a specific hero |
| citadel_create_unit | Spawn a dummy bot to practice on |
| citadel_enable_fast_cooldowns true | Near-zero cooldowns for combo practice |
| noclip | Fly through the map to inspect it |
What custom lobbies are good for
- Build testing — infinite souls buy-anywhere to try a full build instantly.
- 1v1s and scrims with friends via the invite code.
- Bot practice — learn a hero against Easy/Medium/Hard bots before ranked.
Menu labels and citadel_* command names change between patches — if one fails, check the current console-commands list. The duplicate-heroes toggle has been buggy; citadel_allow_duplicate_heroes 1 is the fallback.
