Undesirable microstructures and high residual stresses in Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) present challenges due to rapid and complex solidification. Non-destructive assessment of mechanical performance and deformation patterning is crucial. Using Dark Field X-ray Microscopy (DFXM), we map 3D subsurface intragranular orientation and strain variations in a surface-breaking grain of a directed energy deposition nickel superalloy. DFXM reveals a highly heterogeneous 3D microstructure with <0.5° local orientation differences and lattice strain up to 0.005. The grain comprises ≈ 5 μm-sized cells with alternating strain states. DFXM results are compared to Electron Backscatter Diffraction measurements from the same grain's cut-off surface. We discuss microstructure developments during LAM, rationalizing deformation patterning formation from extreme thermal gradients during processing and susceptibility to solute segregation.