Deadliners is an indie action-strategy game where players control a line on a playfield, utilizing shots and clears in combat. The game supports 1-4 players across five distinct modes: Free For All, Capture the Flag, Linehunter, Survival, and Skill Training. Gameplay mechanics include shooting, dodging, and clearing space, with customizable map options like shrink or dark modes.

Specific modes cater to different player counts and objectives. Free For All pits 2-4 players against each other for points, while Capture the Flag is a 2v2 team mode where player elimination instantly removes their entire line. Linehunter is a 3-4 player mode where players hunt a designated "line" player for points. Survival mode allows 1-4 players to cooperate against waves of targets, with fallen players respawning after each wave. Skill Training offers single-player challenges to hone shooting and space-clearing mechanics.