Dead by Daylight News

Happy new year! Our team is back in action, and we’ve got a doozie of a Developer Update in store for you today. In this edition, we’ll be covering everything coming to Dead by Daylight in our first major update of the year, from various Killer, Perk, and Map updates and more. We’ve been busy, so buckle up, it’s a long one.


[h2]Generators[/h2]

Kicking things off (no pun intended), we have a few updates to Generators. More specifically, these changes target how Generators are damaged by the Killer and how their regression can be stopped by Survivors. The goal with this update is to bring an end to excessively long matches (3 gen scenarios in particular) and at the same time improve the Killer’s ability to damage Generators. (3 gen scenarios are those where the killer aims to defend 3 generators that are close by in particular, and does not participate in normal gameplay – not chasing survivors etc, in this instance survivors are not able to make any meaningful progress to those generators)

Going forward, each Generator can only suffer from a maximum of 8 ‘regression events’ – where a regression event is any time the Killer or their Perks removes at least 2.5% of the Generator’s progress in an instant. An indicator will show the Killer if a Generator can no longer be damaged. In the overwhelming majority of games, this will not come into play. However, in scenarios where the Killer is defending a set of Generators and refusing to chase Survivors, there will eventually come a point where they can no longer damage the Generator, helping bring an end to excessively long matches.

At the same time, we want to address a point of frustration for Killers as well: Survivors working on a generator briefly to stop it from regressing, or “Gen tapping” for short. Given that the number of regression events is now limited, stopping a Generator from regressing is more meaningful than ever. To prevent Survivors from tapping a Generator to negate one of those regression events, we have made two changes:

• The base damage from kicking a Generator has been increased to 5% (was 2.5%).
  
• At least 5% of the Generator’s total charges must be repaired to stop regression, otherwise it will begin regressing again when the Survivor stops repairing.
  

This will help ensure that the Killer always gets some value from kicking a Generator and encourage Survivors to think twice before attempting to stop the regression.


[h2]FOV Slider[/h2]

Is Shadowborn permanently locked into one of your Perk slots? Well, that’s about to change thanks to the new first-person field of view (FOV) slider. Starting with this update, Killers in first person will be able to adjust their FOV to something they’re more comfortable with, ranging from 87 degrees (the current default) to 103 degrees (the current maximum with Shadowborn).

Perks which alter your FOV (Shadowborn and Monitor & Abuse) will need to be adjusted. We’ll cover exactly how those Perks are changing later in this post.

Bear in mind this option only applies to first person field of view and therefore will not affect Survivors. Since Survivors play the game from the third person perspective, a wider FOV would add to an already advantageous camera view.

Initially this feature will be accessible through the Beta Tab in game.


[h2]The Onryo[/h2]

A few months ago, we released a major update to The Onryo. Though some players were pleased with the changes, many longtime Onryo mains felt that her gameplay had changed too much from the Killer they once loved. In this update, we want to revisit Sadako once more to find a middle ground which better appeals to all her players, old and new.

[h3]Condemned[/h3]
In the last update, Condemned would spread to all Survivors who were not holding a tape whenever Sadako projected to a TV. This allowed her to spread her curse more often, but many felt that this favoured teleporting as soon as possible rather than strategically during a chase. We have a few changes in mind to restore this gameplay while keeping Condemned more prominent:

• When The Onryo teleports, Survivors within 16m of a powered TV will receive a stack of Condemned.
  
• The teleport cooldown has been removed, allowing her to teleport more frequently.
  
• When a Survivor is hooked, their current Condemned progress becomes locked in, preventing it from being removed.
  

This will make it very risky for Survivors to ignore Sadako’s curse. Survivors will want to shut off nearby TVs and deposit their tapes before it’s too late. Speaking of tapes…

[h3]Cursed Tapes[/h3]
We’ve also reviewed the way Cursed Tapes work to bring back some of their fondly remembered behaviour.

• Cursed Tapes no longer protect Survivors from gaining Condemned.
  
• Cursed Tapes are no longer destroyed or inflict Condemned when a Survivor is hit.
  
• Cursed Tapes can only be deposited in the further TV from where they were picked up.
  

This will once again force the Survivors to spend some time crossing the map in order to delay the curse.

[h3]Demanifested[/h3]
The previous update made it so The Onryo couldn’t start a chase while Demanifested. This had a side effect of making it very obvious when she Demanifested in the middle of a chase, allowing Survivors to anticipate and play around it.

• The Onryo can now chase Survivors while Demanifested.
  

Additionally, many pointed out that one of The Onryo’s changed Add-Ons, Reiko’s Watch, was very fun to use. Rather than add the effect back into the Add-On, we instead incorporated it into her base kit to make the Add-On feel less essential.

• The duration of invisibility while Demanifested has been increased to 1.2 seconds (was 1 second).
  

[h3]Add-Ons[/h3]
With all these changes in mind, we’ve reviewed a handful of The Onryo’s Add-Ons which either no longer have a purpose or promoted strongly disliked playstyles.


[h2]The Hillbilly[/h2]

Uh oh, watch out Survivors, it looks like someone unwrapped a brand new chainsaw. It’s The Hillbilly’s turn for an update!

[h3]Overdrive[/h3]
The controversial Overheat mechanic is no more; Overdrive is the new talk of the town. As The Hillbilly uses his chainsaw, it will generate heat just like before. When the heat meter is full, not only will he continue being able to use it, but his chainsaw will kick into Overdrive and gain the following effects for the next 20 seconds:

• Chainsaw charge speed is increased by 5%.
  
• His Chainsaw Sprint movement speed increases to 13m/s.
  
• Chainsaw Sprint cooldowns are reduced by 10%.
  

The short version? Heat is good now.

[h3]Cleaning Up[/h3]
At the same time, we’ve made some general improvements to The Hillbilly’s kit and smoothed out some of the rougher edges.

• The base Chainsaw Sprint movement speed has been increased by 10%.
  
• Reduced the size of the Chainsaw’s collision detection to make Chainsaw Sprints more maneuverable in maps with high density tiles
  
• Camera sensitivity is no longer incorrectly tied to the controller sensitivity setting while using a mouse & keyboard. (Chainsaw controls are now equal to 100% sensitivity before.)
  

[h3]Add-Ons[/h3]
Last but certainly not least, we have done a pass on The Hillbilly’s Add-Ons with these changes in mind. This blogpost is long enough as is, so keep an eye on the patch notes when the Public Test Build (PTB) goes live for more details!


[h2]The Blight’s Add-Ons[/h2]

Next up, we have changes in store for a handful of The Blight’s Add-Ons.

[h3]Blighted Rat & Blighted Crow[/h3]
These Add-Ons are fairly strong, making it far more difficult to get out of the way of his Rush in time. We have reduced the Rush speed bonus of these Add-Ons to 2% and 3% respectively (was 4% and 6%).

[h3]Adrenaline Vial[/h3]
This Add-On has a lot going on, making it jack-of-all-trades. To simply it and bring it closer in line with other options, we are removing the following effects:

• No longer decreases time to recharge a Rush token by 1 second.
  
• No longer increases Rush speed by 10%.
  

The Add-On now does the following (these effects are unchanged):

• Increases maximum Rush tokens by 2.
  
• Increases maximum Rush look angle by 20 degrees.
  
• Decreases Rush turn rate by 55%.
  

[h3]Alchemist’s Ring[/h3]
(The one you probably aren’t surprised to see on this list.) Restoring Rush tokens on hit is incredibly powerful, so we’ve reworked this Add-On entirely.

• Increases Rush duration by 20% for each consecutive Rush.
  

[h3]Compound Thirty-Three[/h3]
Reducing the Survivor’s movement speed acts very similarly to increasing The Blight’s Rush speed. We’ve decided the best course of action is to give this Add-On a new effect:

• Each consecutive Rush which is longer than 4 meters increases turn rate by 33%.
  

[h3]Iridescent Blight Tag[/h3]
This Add-On can also be extremely powerful in the right hands. It also promotes the awkward gameplay of repeatedly slamming into a wall to take advantage of the effects of the last Rush. We’ve given this Add-On a brand-new effect as well:

• Enables Rush to be performed without spending tokens.
  
• Rush bonuses are capped after 3 consecutive rushes.
  
• Blighted Corruption goes on cooldown for 20 seconds after a successful Lethal Rush attack.
  

[h2]Perk Updates[/h2]

Next up, we’ve got a bunch of Perk updates to share!

[h3]Save the Best for Last[/h3]
This Perk indirectly became stronger when the successful basic attack cooldown was reduced some time ago. Certain Killers can also circumvent the downside by using their special attack to injure the Obsession. To tone it down and make it more consistent across all Killers, we have made the following changes:

• Each Token grants a stackable 4% decreased successful basic attack cooldown (was 5%).
  
• 2 tokens are lost when the Obsession loses a health state by any means (was basic attacks).
  

[h3]Grim Embrace[/h3]
Grim Embrace blocks Generators for a substantial duration. However, it only activates once and requires the Killer to hook every Survivor once, it can be a little inconsistent and hard to activate. Therefore, we’re adding a secondary effect on top of the existing effect:

• The first time a Survivor is hooked, all generators are blocked for 8/10/12 seconds once the Killer moves at least 16 meters from the hook.
  

This will ensure the Killer is always able to get some value out of their Perk even if the last elusive Survivor manages to evade them and reward Killers who switch targets.

[h3]Quick Gambit[/h3]
This Perk grants other Survivors a repair speed boost when you are being chased nearby. However, its range is fairly low, making it difficult to get close enough for other Survivors to benefit from without also putting them in danger.

• We have increased the range to 36 meters (was 24 meters).
  
• We have reduced the repair speed bonus to 3/4/5% (was 6/7/8%).
  

[h3]Hex: Ruin[/h3]
We toned this Perk down in a previous update. In retrospect, since the Perk could already be disabled by being cleansed, the added activation condition did not feel necessary.

• Hex: Ruin is no longer disabled once a Survivor is killed or sacrificed.
  

[h3]Shadowborn[/h3]
With the new FOV slider being introduced, Shadowborn is now obsolete and needs a new effect.

• When blinded by any means, gain a 6/8/10% Haste effect for 10 seconds.
  

[h3]Monitor & Abuse[/h3]
Likewise, the FOV altering effects of Monitor & Abuse are now unnecessary considering the added FOV slider. Monitor & Abuse allows for some interesting niche playstyles as is, so we have simply removed the FOV adjustments from this Perk and left the Terror Radius effects unchanged.


[h2]Ormond Gameplay Update[/h2]

The newly renovated Mount Ormond Resort is open for the season! This update consists of layout changes to the front & back of the lodge, as well as miscellaneous loop adjustments.

The front of the lodge currently has a long row of rocks stretching across it. This can get in the way and make it difficult to traverse the map. Additionally, there’s no room in this portion of the map for any windows or pallets, essentially making it a big dead zone. We’ve given this portion of the map an overhaul to create more interesting gameplay.



The back of the lodge, meanwhile, is comprised of mostly picnic tables. Great for enjoying a meal in the freezing cold, but not very impactful when it comes to gameplay. Pallet loops around these tables are fairly short, making them incredibly unsafe. We have similarly adjusted this area to improve gameplay.


[h2]Game Modifiers[/h2]

Whilst these will not be in the upcoming PTB, our first limited time modifier Dead by Daylight – Lights Out, will be available to play in the coming months. Stay tuned for more information.

[hr][/hr]
Congratulations, you’ve reached the end of this very long Developer Update! Everything we’ve mentioned here will be available to test on the Public Test Build starting tomorrow.

As always, we’ll take the time to read through your feedback and make further adjustments as needed before this update goes live on all platforms in the weeks following.

Until next time…

The Dead by Daylight team

Dead by Daylight’s Bone Chill Event is here to sweep the cruel winds of winter into The Fog, cold enough to freeze the blood in your veins.

From December 14th 11AM ET – January 4th 11 AM ET, engage in high-stakes Snowskull fights, pay a visit to the “friendly” snowmen, and marvel at the holiday décor.

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[h3]THE BIG CHILL[/h3]

Not even the darkest corners of The Entity’s Realms can escape the holiday spirit. The snowy Mount Ormond will undergo a festive transformation, revealing a glimpse of what it might have looked like during happier times.

Similar decorations may or may not have snuck into the Autohaven Wreckers Realm, a place known for its wholesome holiday cheer. After all, the sky is tinted green and there’s plenty of red spattered across the ground.



[h3]OH THE SNOWMAN-ITY[/h3]

Snowmen, we hardly knew ye. Last time we saw them, they were – dare we say, adorable? This year, however, let’s just say they’ve seen better days – and that’s putting it mildly. They’re grotesque. They’re disgusting. They’re calling your name, inviting you to seek shelter within their icy innards.

At least, most of them are. Be careful which Snowman you approach – some of them might not be too happy about your presence.



[h3]SNOWBALLS TO THE WALL[/h3]

Whether you’re a Killer determined to butcher the Survivor who Pallet stunned you, or a Survivor desperately seeking the Exit Gates because you forgot to confirm where they were, there is one thing that unites them. You guessed it – a shared love for throwing snowballs. Or in this case, Snowskulls.

Pro Tip: It’s all in the name. Take the snow and aim for the skull.

Keep your eye out for piles spawning throughout the Trial, and pick one up to interact with it. You can carry up to 6 Snowskulls at a time, and throw them at your leisure. While it won’t actively damage, injure, or otherwise impede its target – it sure is fun to hit people with wet balls of snow. Snowmen too, for that matter.

See for yourself.



[h3]A WINTER’S TALE[/h3]

Gather around the fireplace for a holiday tale, Dead by Daylight style. Never you mind what’s hung by the chimney with care. A new Event Tome will be available, featuring 3 levels of Challenges to complete. And yes – some of them include hitting people with Snowskulls.

It’s simple: the more Challenges you do, the more Event Currency you earn, which can then be spent on whichever Outfits or Charms you so choose.

Speaking of which...



[h3]EARNABLE REWARDS[/h3]

Receiving the gift of clothes has never felt so good. Use your well-earned Event Currency to unlock Outfits for The Wraith and Jeff Johanssen, Ugly Sweaters for Gabriel Soma, Renato Lyra, and Thalita Lyra, Killer Weapons for The Hillbilly, The Clown, and The Trapper, Frosty Eyes for the Skull Merchant and The Singularity, holiday-themed Charms, and several Player Card customizations.

You 'll even unlock rewards for unlocking rewards.

Check them all out below and collect them all if you’re feeling generous. After all, who doesn’t love being spoiled around the holidays?





[h3]SPOILED ROTTEN[/h3]

On that note, we fully intend on spoiling you until you simply do not want to be spoiled anymore. Like a gluttonous holiday feast that only ends when your stomach literally bursts. Only less messy.

By the end of this month you will have more Bloodpoints, Iridescent Shards, and Rift Fragments than any one person has any business having. To be exact, that’s 1 million Bloodpoints and 3K Iridescent Shards.

You’ll even get a Banner and Badge for your Player Cards. All you need to do is login to Dead by Daylight from December 1st to January 4th, and you’ll net yourself a different reward every day.

If you’re one of those planning types, we’ve got you covered with a calendar below.



But that’s not all. For an additional 1 million Bloodpoints and 6K Iridescent Shards, enter the promo code: THANKYOUFOR60M. In total, if you play your cards right, you’ll have enough Shards to unlock an original character. Note that the code and daily rewards end once Bone Chill runs its course.


[h3]HOLIDAY STYLES [/h3]

As any self-respecting horror aficionado knows, the holidays and horror go together like cookies and milk. One need only look at the nutcracker’s cold, dead eyes and gaping, slack-jawed mouth for confirmation.

In the spirit of tradition, the limited-time Holiday Horror Collection will be returning with new Outfits for Jane Romero, Yui Kimura, The Hag, and The Nurse. We’ve also got Ugly Sweaters coming for some of The Realm’s new additions: Chucky (The Good Guy) and Ellen Ripley.

Both Collections will be available in the in-game store on December 14th.




A few parting words of advice. Refrain from sticking your tongue on a Hook, and most importantly – do not eat the red snow.


See you in The Fog,

The snow-covered and hopelessly frostbitten Dead by Daylight team.

[h2]Release Schedule[/h2]

• Update Releases: 11AM ET
  

[h2]Content[/h2]

• Re-enabled Flashlight items and Perks Residual Manifest, Dramaturgy and Appraisal.
  

[h2]The Good Guy[/h2]

• Batteries Included (perk): When within 12 meters of a completed Generator, you have 5% Haste. The movement speed bonus lingers for 1/3/5 seconds after leaving the Generator's range. (Removed deactivation when all Generators are completed)

[h2]The Trickster[/h2]

• Decreased the base time between throws to 0.3 seconds (was 0.33)
  
• Increased the Main Event throw rate multiplier to 66% (was 33%)
  
• Increased the Main Event active duration to 6 seconds (was 5 seconds)
  
• Reverted the time before Laceration starts decaying to 15 seconds (was 10 seconds)
  

[h2]Bug Fixes[/h2]
[h3]Archives[/h3]

• Fixed an issue that made it impossible to complete the Back-to-Back Tome 17 Challenge if getting a Good skill check or missing a skill check after getting 3 Great skill checks consecutively.
  

[h3]Bots[/h3]

• Bots can once again dodge special attacks.
  

[h3]Characters[/h3]

• Fixed an issue that caused The Mastermind picking up a Survivor on his shoulders to be misaligned for a few seconds.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused The Demogorgon's Break Pallet animation to play properly when a Survivor runs into the Pallet from the other side.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused The Good Guy "Slice and Dice" hit animation to plays twice.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused Survivors to become misaligned during The Good Guy carry animation attacks.
  
• The Good Guy can now scamper under pallets being lifted by Any Means Necessary.
  
• Fixed an issue where players could bypass the 90 degree camera lock with The Good Guy.
  
• The Trickster's Main Event can no longer trigger the Supreme Combo event multiple times per health state.
  
• As seen from the Survivor point of view, Charles Lee Ray no longer jitters and lags behind while carrying The Good Guy.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused The Huntress' hatchets to become offset at launch.
  

[h3]Environment/Maps[/h3]

• Fixed an issue in The Nostromo Wreckage map where characters could land on debris.
  
• Fixed an issue in Midwich Elementary School where characters would clip through a vault.
  
• Fixed an issue in the Swamp Realm where extra collision would let characters stand.
  
• Fixed an issue in The Underground Complex where characters would not be able to rescue a Survivor on a Hook.
  

[h3]UI[/h3]

• Fixed occasionally missing UI elements like the Currencies information.
  
• Fixed a potential crash in the Archives when hovering a Reward node.
  
• Fixed a potential crash if closing the Player Profile menu too quickly after equipping a Player Card badge or banner.
  

[h3]Misc[/h3]

• Fixed an issue that caused Survivors to clip into a locker after being interrupted from entering one by the Killer.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused Survivors to clip into lockers after using a flashlight and entering the locker simultaneously.
  

[h2]Known Issues[/h2]

• The Back-to-Back Tome 17 challenge description erroneously says "1 consecutive skill check" instead of 3.