Dead by Daylight Dev Tracker

Today, we want to dig into a topic that we know many of you have been yearning to know more about: our vision for the future of The Skull Merchant!

REEVALUATING THE SKULL MERCHANT
We know that Skull Merchant is a divisive Killer who, regardless of her performance in a Trial, carries a lot of history and strong feelings among players.

Many players feel she’s not fun to play against and her kit is exceedingly complex. This scares away potential Killers from trying her and makes it difficult for Survivors to consider counterplay without dedicated research.

As we look to reworking Skull Merchant, our aim is to:

1. Strike a balance between being fun to play as and against
   
2. Preserve the intel focus of her kit, while making it intuitive to understand for both sides
   
3. Move away...

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Last year, we tested out a new way to gather feedback with the Design Preview. In it, we shared a sneak peek at proposed changes for The Trickster with the goal of gauging how you felt about these changes very early in the design process.
We wanted to quickly follow up on how we're changing up the Design Preview process moving forward and give a little update on The Trickster’s preview.

WHAT IS A DESIGN PREVIEW? Coming away from last year's Design Preview, a couple things stood out to us:

1. When it comes to bigger changes like reworks, specifics matter. It’s important that we compare the perspectives of both Killers and Survivors to help inform decision-making.
   
2. While it’s one thing to ask for feedback, the original Design Preview concept didn’t let you know how we’re using your feedback, and it’s important to us that you have ...

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Important

• Progress and save data information has been copied from the Live game to our PTB servers on March 4th 2025. Please note that players will be able to progress for the duration of the PTB, but none of that progress will make it back to the Live version of the game.

Content
NEW KILLER - THE GHOUL
Killer Power - One-Eyed Terror

SPECIAL ABILITY: Kagune Leap

Use the Power button to charge and launch the Kagune, tentacles that attach to any vertical surface within range and quickly pull The Ghoul forward.

After completing a leap, The Ghoul has a window to perform a second consecutive Kagune Leap or put Kagune Leap into cooldown by using the active ability button.

Kagune Leap enters cooldown once The Ghoul has consume... Read more

Miss the PTB? Not on our watch ⌚ With North America switching to daylight saving time over the weekend, we're making sure you're all set for tomorrow's test build.

EDIT: Updated the Good Guy changes and dev note to clarify that the quicker acceleration will also apply to the start of Slice and Dice.

With the 8.6.0 Update quickly approaching, it's time once again to give you a look at the notable gameplay changes you can expect from the Public Test Build next week.

Read on for all the details:

STATUS EFFECT UPDATES


[CHANGE] Decreased self-mending time to 10 seconds (was 12)
[CHANGE] Decreased altruistic-mending time to 6 seconds (was 8)

DEV NOTE: We know that Deep Wound can be a frustrating mechanic to come up against as it slows down the pace of the game for Survivors. By reducing mending times, we hope to reduce this fric... Read more

Dead by Daylight will be undergoing a substantial Quality of Life Initiative, which should address many longstanding concerns and frustrations our players have been experiencing.
This Initiative will take place over the course of two phases. The first runs from April to June, while the second runs from July to December. For a full look at what’s scheduled, check out the roadmap below.



To accommodate for the scope of this Initiative, we have decided to delay several of our upcoming releases – including Chapters, Rifts, Events Modifiers, and Collections. That means there will not be a PTB tomorrow, but rest assured that we did not make this decision lightly.
We feel confident that delaying our upcoming releases to prioritize this Quality-of-Life Initiative will ultimately make Dead by Daylight stronger than ever. We’re always listening to our players, ... Read more

Bug Fixes 2V8

• Reduced the Survivor's Herb interaction snap time.
  
• Fixed an issue that could cause Killers to become stuck in the trial after the End Game Collapse when a bot became stuck in a cage state.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused the Survivor to lose their struggle animation when interrupted by the Deathslinger's harpoon while getting vaccinated or sprayed by another Survivor.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused Survivors to briefly float in the air before going to a cage when picked up by Naughty Bear.
  
• Fixed an issue in Raccoon City Police Station where killers and Survivors could land on top of crates in the main hall.
  
• Fixed an issue that caused the Event Entry Screen Overview tab to incorrectly refer to the Raccoon City Police Station as the Raccoon City Police Department.
...

Read more

Content Killer Rework - The Nightmare Base Changes

• Added VFX when The Nightmare is teleporting to a Survivor being healed.

Addons

• Black Box:
  - Exit Gates are blocked for Sleeping Survivors for 15 seconds after they are opened.
  - This effect lingers for 3 seconds after they Wake Up. (NEW)

Archives & Events

• Game Mode: 2V8 returns February 10th at 11:00am Eastern.
  - This two-week event features an event tome with new Resident Evil-themed rewards.

Features

• Clairvoyance has been updated to use a progress bar.
  
• Updated the "Memento Mori" entry in the Game Manual / Killers section, renamed to "Kill By Your Hand", with updated information on different ways to execute the Kill action.
  - Included in English a...

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Content
Killer Rework - The Nightmare
Base Changes

• Dream Snares and Dream Pallets are both part of the base kit
  
• Tap the Ability button to swap between Dream Snares and Dream Pallets
  
• Dream Snares are now a ground projectile (more details below)
  
• Dream Pallets can be Ruptured from a distance (more details below)
  
• Dream Projection can now be used on completed generators (and more!)

Dream World

• Minor visual improvements to the Dream World
  
• Improved clarity when the nearest Survivor is asleep
  
• Survivors in the Dream World are Oblivious, but hear his Lullaby
  
• Survivors performing a healing action on a Sleeping Survivor or while being Asleep are revealed with Killer Instinct
  
• Survivors...

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After delivering a major update to The Nightmare’s Power and Perks, we’ve been steadily unpacking all the feedback we’ve received post PTB.

We’re pleased to see that many enjoyed the changes to The Nightmare’s Power, which ensured players could use Dream Snares and Dream Pallets without having to choose one or the other. Changing the former into projectiles was generally well received, with players enjoying the addition of a more active ability.

While it was a solid start, there was still work to be done. We’ve since made a few updates to his Power, Perks, and overall Quality of Life, which should improve the overall experience when these changes hit live.

CHANGES FROM PTB TO LIVE

Dream Snares

...

Read more

Just like you, we're looking forward to an exciting 2025, but that doesn't mean we're done with 2024 quite yet...

This month, we'll be sending out special, personalized newsletters that recap players' Dead by Daylight stats from 2024 and want to make sure you have a chance to sign up in time to get your own!

Simply sign up for our newsletter by January 13 and that'll get you on the list to receive your stats when they become available later this month. To make things nice and easy, we've included the steps below:

1. Create or log in to your BHVR account here: https://dbd.game/3iij9vY
   
2. Ensure you've linked your BHVR account to the platform you play on via the Connections page
   
3. ...

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Important

• Progress & save data information has been copied from the Live game to our PTB servers on January 6, 2025. Please note that players will be able to progress for the duration of the PTB, but none of that progress will make it back to the Live version of the game.
  
• Players will once again receive 12,500 Auric Cells on the PTB to explore Outfits and Characters in the Store. Both Auric Cells and purchases made on the PTB Build will not transfer to the Live Build.

Content
Killer Rework - The Nightmare Base Changes

• Dream Snares and Dream Pallets are both part of the base kit
  
• Tap the Ability button to swap between Dream Snares and Dream Pallets
  
• Dream Snares are now a ground projectile (more details below)
  
• Dream Pallets can be R...

Read more

We’re back with another Developer Update, and some might say it’s pure nightmare fuel. That’s right – Freddy Krueger is getting a rework, and we’ve got you covered with everything to know about what’s coming.


The Nightmare – Freddy Krueger himself – is one of horror’s most iconic slashers. While he has proven himself to be a formidable foe for newer players, he’s begun to feel a little left behind in Dead by Daylight’s current landscape. We’re excited to help players rediscover the macabre joy of donning into the signature sweater and wreaking havoc like only Freddy can.

We’ve made several adjustments to his Power, which should help Freddy feel like the Dream Demon he was always destined to be. Our philosophy was to make The Dream W... Read more

Content
Killer Updates
The Houndmaster - Basekit

• Chase Command cooldown reduced to 3 seconds (was 4 seconds)
  
• Increased the time it takes The Houndmaster to recover movement speed from cancelling Chase Command to 1 second (was 0.85 seconds)
  
• Reduced the movement speed penalty from cancelling Chase Command to 3.0 m/s (was 2.0 m/s)
  
• Increased hitbox of Dog while performing Chase Command to 0.65 meters (was 0.5 meters)
  
• Increased Window and Pallet vault time of Dog while performing Chase Command to 0.45 seconds (was 0.9 seconds)
  
• Reduced Chase Command camera transition time from The Houndmaster to Dog when activating Redirect to 0.15 seconds (was 0.25 seconds)
  
• Reduced Chase Command camera transition time from Dog to The Houndmaster after ending R...

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Content
Killer Updates
The Houndmaster - Basekit

• Chase Command cooldown reduced to 4 seconds (was 5 seconds)
  
• Completed Generators now appear light orange to The Houndmaster after charging Search Command (previously Completed Generators were visible at all times)
  
• Houndsense Radius only visible to a Survivor when the dog is within 20 meters of them (previously was visible at any range)
  
• Survivors afflicted with Houndsense appear with reduced color and opacity outline to The Houndmaster (red tint used to blend too much with Killer Instinct feedback)

The Houndmaster - Addons

• Training Bell:
  Increased the Survivor aura reveals to 8 seconds (was 5 seconds)

• Spiked Collar:
  I...

Read more

As 2024 is coming to an end, it's already time to reflect and celebrate the games that made your year!

Thanks to your feedback, we've been able to make impactful iterations on live balance and new features that wouldn't have been as successful without the involvement of our players. We can't wait to keep building this world with you for the years to come.

You can now nominate Dead by Daylight in the "Labor of Love" category for the Steam Awards.

You have until December 4 at 1PM ET to nominate your favorite games. Make sure to take a look at all the other categories, 2024 was a year full of incredible releases!

See you in The Fog,

The Dead by Daylight Team

Dead by Daylight: Doomed Course includes a new Killer, The Houndmaster, and new Survivor, Taurie Cain. Purchasing this add-on unlocks 2 exclusive Cosmetics: The Houndmaster - Titanium Skull & Taurie Cain - Gold Tier.



The new Killer is The Houndmaster. Cast adrift by a horrific tragedy, Portia Maye arose from the blood with renewed purpose: to inflict unspeakable pain on those who tore her family apart. With her loyal dog forever at her side, her insatiable lust for violence runs deeper than the darkest ocean trench.

The new Survivor is Taurie Cain. Few react to entering The Entity’s Realm with a smile, but Taurie Cain is not like most Survivors. Raised in the Black Talon, her fascination with eldritch darkness plunged her headlong into The Fog. Despite everything, however, her mor... Read more

Content
New Killer - The Houndmaster
Killer Power - Scent of Blood The Houndmaster and her dog operate as one. Her commands are followed without question or delay.

Special Ability: Chase
The Chase Command sends the dog out at high speed. Pressing the Power button again redirects the Chase, pivoting the dog's path. When the dog catches a Survivor, the dog starts a Grab. The Survivor becomes Hindered and is pulled toward The Houndmaster. The Survivor can get free by stunning the dog or can be rescued by another Survivor. Grabs that end without Injury leave the Survivor Hindered. Grab duration is shorter for Survivors with the Endurance status effect.

Special Ability: Search
The Search Command sends the dog to a target location, creating a Search Path. It has its own lullaby and, as it moves, its Houndsense radius rises over... Read more

Welcome to another Developer Update! We will be focusing on the newest content that was tested in the PTB including The Houndmaster and associated Perks. Additional Live Balance changes that were in the PTB will have their feedback addressed in the hotfixes that follow the Chapter release.

Thank you everyone for playing the PTB and providing such thorough feedback.



We received a lot of great feedback regarding The Houndmaster during the PTB and with that we’ve developed the following changes:

• [Change] Completed Generators now appear light orange to The Houndmaster
  
• [New] Survivors afflicted with Houndsense now appear bright red to The Houndmaster

Dev Note: This wi... Read more

The beloved 2v8 mode is returning! A lot has changed and since the first version – so much that we couldn’t squeeze it into our regular Developer Update – and we’re going to dive into all of it today.

Before we get started, it’s important to note that everything below only applies to the 2v8 mode and will not affect regular matches.


Cages

• [CHANGE] Survivors are now sent to cages after being picked up by a Killer rather than by stomping.
  
• [CHANGE] When a Survivor is near a caged Survivor, the cage will no longer move even if there is a Killer nearby.
  
• [CHANGE] Survivors perform the unhook action 15% faster while a Killer is nearby.

Dev note: Flashlights didn’t ser... Read more