Dead by Daylightfeatures an array of different perks, each with its own specific uses. Whilst each perk has its own unique effects, perks can be grouped together for certain uses. It’s important thatDead by Daylightplayers have a good mix of perks, and don’t simply just pick a random selection ofthe best Killer perks, as they might not even fit their build.
Tracking perks in particular are used by Killers to acquire information on the Survivors and their whereabouts or the progress and status of Generators. These perks are excellent for helping Killers inDead by Daylightto figure out what their next move should be. Here are some ofDead by Daylight’s best tracking perks for Killers.
10Forced Hesitation
Survivors Near Another Survivor Put In A Dying State Is Hindered
Survivors who slow down at any point in thehigh-intensity chases ofDead By Daylightgameplayare guaranteed hooks for the Killer - somethingForced Hesitationalmost always assuredly delivers. This Perk will ensure all other Survivors get -20% Hindered for 10 seconds whenever they are within 16 meters of another Survivor who had just been put in a Dying State. Originally slated as part of the Singularity’s toolkit, any Killer can get this Perk in their arsenal if they like to track their prey more efficiently.
While it’s true that 16 meters seems “too near” to a Killer for Forced Hesitation to be considered a “tracking” Perk, it’s important to remember that Survivors are oftentimes clustered near each other in relevant locations - especially Generators. A Survivor in a Dying State isn’t always a threat to Killers, especially if this means getting the chance to put yet another Survivor in the same state during their Hindered state. When combined with the likes of Ultimate Weapon, Forced Hesitation ensures Killers can track other Survivors who would dare assist their fallen comrade.
9Ultimate Weapon
Nearby Survivors Scream When A Locker Is Opened
Chases with M1 Killers can be tough, especially when Survivors know the map well enough to identify excellent hiding spots or vantage points to escape predators. This won’t work with the Xenomorph, however, thanks to its exclusiveUltimate WeaponPerk. At its core, this Perk will make sure that all Survivors within 32 meters of a Killer will scream once the latter opens a Locker within that same radius.
While Ultimate Weapon has a cooldown of 80/70/60 seconds, all activations of Ultimate Weapon will cause all affected Survivors to suffer Blindness for 30 seconds - making it much harder to evade pursuits. Ultimate Weapon is excellent for slow-mobility or small Terror Radii-Killers who need a headstart to catching their targets.
8Rancor
Reveal The Killer’s Aura To The Obsession, But All Survivor Auras Are Also Revealed To The Killer
Survivors ofDead By Daylightgameplay need to fix all Generators in order to activate the Exit Gates and escape the Trial -something Killers need to stop them from doing. And while Generator activation becomes a crucial part ofDead By Daylightstrategy, it will become the Survivors’ downfall with theRancorPerk. Originally possessed by the Spirit, Rancor essentially designates a Survivor as an Obsession. When a Generator is completed, the Obsession will see the Killer’s Aura for 5/4/3 seconds, but all Survivors are also revealed to the Killer for 3 seconds. Not only that, powering up Exit Gates will force the Obsession to suffer the Exposed Status Effect permanently, allowing them to be one-hit downed by the Killer on top of a guaranteed one-hit kill.
At first glance, the three-second reveal of all Survivors might seem too risky considering a Generator’s activation is required for this to work. However, Rancor works best as an emergency tracking Perk so Killers can still capitalize on a Generator’s activation. This extends to the Exit Gate opening, as the perma-Exposed Obsession will give the Killer a chance for a guaranteed kill throughout the Trial.
7I’m All Ears
Rushed Vaults Reveals The Survivor’s Aura
Chases are an integral part ofDead By Daylightgameplay, as they often determine how Survivors try to outplay Killers - usually by vaulting over areas or even bringing down pallets to hinder the Killer’s path. WithI’m All Ears, sudden movements won’t be enough to outrun Killers anymore. Originally exclusive to the Ghost Face, I’m All Ears will now force the Aura of any Survivor performing a Rushed Vault within 48 meters of a Killer to appear for six seconds.
Despite I’m All Ears having a 60/45/30-second cooldown, the six-second window of the Survivor’s Aura appearing to the Killer can be enough to ensure Killers can activate crucial abilities or be able to outsmart and predict where a Survivor will be heading next - potentially catching them.
6Scourge Hook: Floods Of Rage
Reveal Survivor Auras When A Survivor Is Unhooked
Originally included with the vengeful Onryo, theScourge Hook: Floods of Rageis a Hook-based Perk. When activated in a match, four random Hooks transform into Scourge Hooks and are highlighted in white. Shoulda Survivor in a Scourge Hook become unhooked, the auras of all other Survivors are revealed for 5/6/7 seconds.
Despite the short timespan of Floods of Rage’s effect, this effectively transforms Hooks into even deadlier environmental elements. Not only do Survivors take time to get unhooked, but now Floods of Rage will force players saving their comrades to reveal their information to the Killer - practically increasing the odds of exchanging one saved Survivor with another. If a player wants to save their friend, they better be worth the reveal.
5Thrilling Tremors
The Entity Blocks Other Generators After Picking Up A Survivor
Generators remainthe best way for Killersto track Survivors inDead By Daylight, especially since they’re a central mechanic in their escape to safety. However, with seven Generators in any given ranked match, it’s a lot to keep track of for only a single Killer. Where does one even begin to look? Thanks toThrilling Tremors, the question becomes - where should one not look? The Perk activates as soon as Killers pick up a Survivor, after which the Entity blocks all Generators that other Survivors aren’t currently repairing.
Although Thrilling Tremors has a cooldown of 100/80/60 seconds, this Ghost Face-originating Perk has one extreme upside: all Generators the Entity is blocking is revealed in a white Aura. For the attentive Killer, this means the Generator not highlighted in white is a surefire spot with a Survivor.
4Surveillance
All Regressing Generators Are Revealed In White
As someone hailing from theSawfranchise, it’s unsurprising for a trapping specialist like the Pig to be on top of all activity that should catch their attention. It’s for this reason thatSurveillanceis a Perk created for them - if they can’t watch their victims from cameras all over their “games,” the Entity at least allowed them to see the activity within Generators. When equipped, Surveillance will highlight all regressing Generators with a white aura. This immediately helps Killers spot where all Generators are at all times.
What makes Surveillance special is its secondary effect: all regression interruptions will highlight the Generator with a yellow aura. This effectively “marks” the Generator as being tinkered by a Survivor, giving away their position. Like inSawwhere timing matters in games of life and death, Surveillance will force any Generator repairs to be a matter of speed. Would Survivors repair the Generator in time before the Killer gets there?
3Tinkerer
Trigger A Loud Noise During Generator Repair
Repairing Generators is a central Survivor strategy inDead By Daylightgameplay, which is whySurvivors often split up into teams- some of which are assigned to clear Generators while others try to bait Killers into chases. If they’re lucky, they can just bait the Killer long enough to open the Exit Gates and run to safety. With theTinkererPerk, the Killer will ensure they still have a last stand against Survivors who think they can get Generators repaired without any inconveniences.
Tinkerer basically triggers a Loud Noise Notification whenever a Generator is repaired at 70%, revealing its location. Not only that, the Killer becomes Undetectable for the next 12/14/16 seconds, making it easier for them to jump the gun on Survivors who don’t know where exactly they should run. Considering Tinkerer triggers once per Generator per Trial, Survivors will be at the mercy of an Undetectable Killer at least five times.
2Whispers
The Entity Whispers When Survivors Are Nearby
The reason whyDead By Daylight’s lore is so terrifying has less to do with it featuring different Killers from across different dimensions, but rather the fact that they all act under the guidance of a benefactor - the Entity within the Fog. The odds are always stacked against the Survivors when the Entity is around, specifically withWhispersthat will have the Entity literally whisper to Killers whenever at least one Survivor is within 48/40/32 meters of them.
Despite the simple nature of the Perk, Whispers is extremely effective while Killers are scouring areas for Survivors. Unlike other Perks that have specific activation requirements, Whispers simply requires Survivors to be at a certain distance to players. Not only that, Whispers will work even if Survivors are crouch-walking and hiding in lockers - something especially useful when looking for Survivors who prefer just hiding the Trial out instead of actively trying to escape.
1Nowhere To Hide
Damaging A Generator Reveals The Auras of All Survivors
Killers scratching their heads while trying to search a large map for Survivors should always remember thatthe Generator is always a safe bet. They’re important objectives to open Exit Gates, which means a Survivor is for sure trying to repair at least one of them. Thanks toNowhere to Hide, this fact becomes a weapon in the Killer’s arsenal. Originally exclusive to the Knight, Nowhere to Hide basically adds a nifty effect whenever Killers damage a Generator: revealing the Auras of all Survivors within 24 meters of them for 3/4/5 seconds.
This is perfect for Killers who want to stay on Generator watch instead of active pursuits. A Generator with a repair-in-progress will usually have a Survivor close on standby, so Nowhere to Hide can be quite the effective way of flushing them out in the open.
