Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals now drop as three separate pickups when your team kills the Mid-Boss. Each one needs a single Heavy Melee to break, and each awards one Rejuvenator to the team that claims it.
The October 30 update changes the scramble after the boss fight. Instead of racing for one crystal in the centre of the pit, you’ll need to cover three randomly selected positions around the arena. The total reward is still three Rejuvenators.
Where Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals drop
After the Mid-Boss dies, look around its pit. Valve has spread the three crystals evenly around the arena, but chooses their positions randomly. The same fixed pickup point won’t work every match.
The drop also takes longer to appear. You now have 7.5 seconds instead of six after the Mid-Boss kill before the crystals arrive. Use that time to check for enemies coming into the pit and move teammates towards the likely areas rather than crowding the old centre.
How to claim all three Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals
Move to an available crystal and perform one Heavy Melee attack on it. That breaks the crystal and gives your team one Rejuvenator. You’ll need to break each of the other two for the full three-reward total.
You don’t have to land three hits on the same crystal, and claiming one doesn’t automatically give you the other two. If the enemy controls one part of the pit, the rewards can be split between teams. That makes each individual pickup worth fighting for.
There is also a useful detail for Baba players: Valve changed Granny Long Legs so its Heavy Melee stomp hits only the closest Rejuvenator crystal in range. Even with a wide stomp, you cannot collect several crystals from the same attack.
The player who breaks a crystal also receives a separate Souls bounty worth 500 Souls plus nine per minute. This goes to the breaker, while the Rejuvenator is a team reward. If the fight is safe enough, coordinate who takes each Heavy Melee instead of having everyone chase the same crystal.
Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals: before and after the patch
| Mechanic | Before | After October 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Rejuvenator drops | One central crystal | Three separate crystals |
| How to claim | Break the central crystal | Heavy Melee each crystal once |
| Team reward | Three Rejuvenators | One per crystal, still three total |
| Full heal | On the first hit | On each crystal broken |
| Drop delay | 6 seconds | 7.5 seconds |
| Crystal-breaker bounty | No separate crystal bounty | 500 Souls +9 per minute |
The other big change is the heal. Previously, the full-heal effect triggered only on the first hit of the central crystal. Now every crystal broken triggers the full heal, so securing even one pickup can be valuable when the fight has left your team badly hurt.
The three-crystal system doesn’t increase the maximum Rejuvenator total. It changes how the team earns it and makes stealing or defending individual rewards possible, especially when the enemy team reaches the pit before you’ve claimed everything.
Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals: why the Mid-Boss is harder
The boss itself has received a sizeable buff. Its health and health gained per minute are both up 20%, while resistance-reducing effects against it are only half as effective. The pit is also a little larger and provides more cover.
The Mid-Boss now roars at 25% health rather than 50%. Its direct bounty is smaller, dropping from 3,000 Souls plus 50 per minute to 1,500 plus 25 per minute. That’s separate from the individual crystal-breaker bounties you earn afterwards.
Together, those changes mean the boss takes more effort to bring down, and the real prize requires your team to hold space after the kill. A fast Mid-Boss defeat won’t help much if you lose control of the separate crystals.
How to contest the pit without losing the reward
The key is to spread your attention without leaving your teammates unsupported. Watch the entrances during the 7.5-second delay, then move to the actual crystal positions once they appear. A player using Heavy Melee is exposed for a moment, so teammates should cover them.
The Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals are designed to create separate points of conflict. Your team can secure one even if the opponents take another, but it’s easier to claim all three if you’ve already forced enemies away from the pit.
Our October 30 patch notes guide covers the associated economy and Hero changes, while the Haunts guide covers the neutral camps you’ll encounter around the map.
For the next Mid-Boss fight, remember the basic rule: one Heavy Melee per crystal, one Rejuvenator per crystal, three in total. The crystals may land in different positions every time, so watch the pit rather than trying to use the old central pickup route.
Related Guides
Deadlock Rejuvenator crystals and related Mid-Boss guides
