Introduction
Dead by Daylight (DBD) is a 4v1 asymmetrical horror game where four survivors must work together to repair generators and escape while avoiding a powerful killer. While the in-game tutorial provides some guidance, it lacks depth, leaving many new players confused about essential mechanics. This guide will cover everything from movement and objectives to advanced survival tactics, helping you become a more effective survivor.
1. Understanding Survivor Basics
Character Selection
Survivors in DBD all move at the same speed and have the same hitboxes, meaning your choice of character doesn’t impact performance—only their unique perks differ. As you progress, you can unlock these perks across all survivors, allowing full customization.
Camera Control and Movement
- Survivors use third-person perspective, giving them a wider field of view compared to killers, who are locked in first-person.
- Always look behind you while running to track the killer’s movement and plan your escape routes.
- Basic Movement Controls:
- W – Move forward
- A/D – Strafe left and right
- S – Move backward
- Shift – Sprint
- Ctrl – Crouch (silent movement, no scratch marks)
Scratch Marks
While running, survivors leave scratch marks, which killers can see. Walking or crouching prevents scratch marks, making it harder for killers to track you.
2. Vaulting and Evading the Killer
Vaulting Windows and Pallets
Vaulting helps survivors create distance between themselves and the killer. There are three types of vaults:
- Fast Vault (Best option) – Performed while sprinting directly toward a window.
- Medium Vault – Performed when approaching a window from an angle.
- Slow Vault (Avoid this) – Occurs when vaulting without sprinting, making it easy for the killer to hit you.
Vaulting a window three times during a chase blocks it for 30 seconds, preventing further use.
Using Pallets
- Drop pallets by pressing Space when the killer is close.
- Stun the killer if they are directly behind you.
- Loop around pallets to waste time before dropping them.
- If the killer doesn’t break a pallet, you can vault it repeatedly to stall time.
3. Generators: Your Main Objective
Survivors must complete 5 generators to power the exit gates.
- Generators are randomly placed across the map (7 total, 5 required).
- Look for generators by spotting large light fixtures above them.
- Some maps provide directional clues:
- Léry’s Memorial Institute: Look for lit-up signs.
- The Game (Gideon Meat Plant): Find generators near sliding doors.
Generator Completion Strategy
- Working on a gen alone takes 90 seconds.
- Two survivors reduce time to ~53 seconds (15% penalty).
- Three survivors reduce time to ~43 seconds.
- Avoid having more than 2 people per gen, as it provides diminishing returns.
Generators can be regressed by the killer if they kick them or use certain perks. Return to unfinished generators quickly to prevent full regression.
4. Terror Radius & Chase Mechanics
Terror Radius (Heartbeat Sound)
The killer’s proximity is indicated by the terror radius (heartbeat sound). Some killers, like The Shape (Michael Myers) or The Wraith, have no terror radius at times.
Looping: How to Waste the Killer’s Time
- Looping refers to running around structures with pallets and windows to prolong the chase.
- Survivors move at 100% speed, while most killers move at 110-115% speed, meaning you must use obstacles to maintain distance.
- The tighter your loop, the more distance you create over time.
Using Your Injured Speed Boost
When hit by the killer, you gain a brief speed boost. Use this time to reach another tile (pallets, windows, or safe loops) rather than staying in place.
5. Hook Mechanics & Teamwork
Hook States
Survivors have three hook states:
- First Hook – You can be rescued without issue.
- Struggle Phase – You must hit skill checks to stay alive.
- Death Hook – You are sacrificed if hooked again.
If a survivor is hooked, check the HUD to see what your teammates are doing before deciding to go for the save.
Unhooking Safely
- Avoid unhooking immediately if the killer is nearby.
- Heal the rescued survivor if safe to do so.
- Take a hit for them if necessary to ensure they escape.
6. Endgame Strategy
Exit Gates & Endgame Collapse
- Once all generators are complete, two exit gates are powered.
- Opening the gate triggers the Endgame Collapse, a timer that ends the match when it reaches zero.
- Consider leaving gates at 99% to control when the game enters Endgame Collapse.
Hatch Escape
- The hatch spawns when only one survivor remains.
- Listen for its distinctive sound and escape before the killer finds and closes it.
- If the killer closes the hatch, the exit gates are powered as a final escape attempt.
7. Anti-Camping & Tunneling Prevention
The Anti-Camping Mechanic
- If the killer stays too close to a hooked survivor, a bar begins to fill.
- Once the bar is full, the hooked survivor can escape automatically.
- If other survivors stay too close, the anti-camping meter pauses.
- The best strategy is to leave the hook area and complete objectives while the bar fills.
Avoiding Tunneling
Tunneling refers to a killer immediately targeting a freshly unhooked survivor. If this happens:
- Use borrowed time perks (if a teammate has them) to buy extra safety.
- Take body blocks for teammates to give them a better chance of survival.
Final Tips for Success
✅ Master looking behind you while running. ✅ Memorize safe loops and strong pallets. ✅ Manage generator spacing to avoid a bad 3-gen situation. ✅ Always check the HUD to see what teammates are doing. ✅ Use teamwork—unhooking, healing, and distracting the killer helps everyone. ✅ Don’t rush to open exit gates—assess the situation first.
Conclusion
This tutorial provides a more in-depth look at what the in-game tutorial fails to teach new players. By understanding looping, objective efficiency, and team coordination, you’ll improve your chances of surviving and escaping more matches.
Welcome to Dead by Daylight, and as always—Good luck, have fun, and don’t get sacrificed!
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