The hot deformation behavior of homogenized Mg-Gd-Y-Zn-Zr-Ca alloys was analyzed. The processing map at the strain of 0.9 was constructed to optimize the processing parameters. The optimum deformation condition is confirmed to be 450 °C at 0.01 s− 1. Continuous DRX was the main softening mechanism during hot compression. Dense lamellar-shaped LPSO phases restrict the DRX process.