Major Dead By Daylight Updates: Mid-Chapter 5.3.0 Patch, Hour of the Witch, Tome IX, and the Halloween Event
It’s about to be a busy couple weeks in Dead by Daylight. The asymmetrical 4v1 horror game is launching its biggest change to the game since the introduction of the End Game Collapse, adding a new survivor and perks, launching its Halloween event, and releasing the newest Tome to The Archives all by Thursday. Here’s the timeline of what to look out for.
Today, 19 October, the new Mid-Chapter patch came out. 5.3.0 marks massive changes to the game. Here are some of the highlights:
The Trapper starts with two traps by default.
Six bear traps will spawn in each trial.
His add-ons have been changed to make them more powerful or remove negative side effects.
The Spirit now has directional audio while phasing, allowing survivors to hear where she is.
Her add-ons have been updated to create new effects, including two that refill your Yamaoka Haunting meter when you break a pallet or are stunned by one.
Deathslinger cannot shoot until he aims down the sights.
He faces a longer delay after cancelling his shot.
His movement speed while aiming is slightly increased.
His terror radius is increased to 32 meters.
The Plague’s infection will happen faster overall, with infected survivors have their meter fill up quicker if they interact with infected objects.
Her movement speed while cooling down from using the Purge is much faster.
Her purge works like Huntress’ hatchets now, with the meter always going to the minimum amount to be used rather than cancelling entirely.
Cleansing at a fountain takes eight seconds instead of six.
Her add-ons have been adjusted to be more useful with the new changes.
Vigil has significantly increased recovery rates and applies to Broken, Exposed, and Oblivious status effects now.
Hex: Retribution makes survivors oblivious if they interact with any totem, not just dull totems.
Windows of Opportunity and Zanshin Tactics no longer have a cool down.
Built to Last now recharges an item to 99%.
The hatch will no longer spawn if more than one survivor is in the trial.
The hatch no longer instantly opens with a key.
Boon Totems, totems that survives ignite to gain benefits, are here.
Okay, that was more than a few highlights. It comes down to this: massive buffs to Trapper and Plague; small nerfs (but better add-ons) for Spirit; massive nerfs for Gunslinger; a bunch of perks get reworked to better reflect the current meta; hatch can only happen if one survivor is left on the map; boon totems are happening.
Hour of the Witch is the new chapter in Dead by Daylight and it comes out with the mid-chapter patch today. Mikaela Reid is a new survivor with three new perks entering the game. Because she is an original character to the game, she will be available to purchase with Shards, the free currency earned in Dead by Daylight, in addition to buying her outright with cash or Auric Cells. She is a horror fan and a witch. Her experience gives her the power of the boon totem. Essentially, her perks let you bless a dull totem to provide benefits to survivors within a certain radius, like increased healing speed or hiding auras from the killer.
On 20 October, the ninth Tome will be available to play in Dead by Daylight. This new Tome will be called Crescendo and focuses on the characters from the All-Kill chapter: survivor Yun-Jin Lee and killer The Trickster (aka Ji-Woon Hak). These two characters have probably my favorite lore in the entire game so far, so I’m excited to see what new stories will be revealed in The Archives.
Finally, from 21 October to 4 November, Dead by Daylight’s annual Halloween event is happening. Called “The Midnight Grove,” this event will feature cosmetic overlays on the maps, Halloween event items (spooky medkits and flashlights), and some kind of mechanic to earn exclusive cosmetics and lore in the game. The exact rules haven’t been specified as of writing. This style of event started with the Pustula Petals and collecting serum to unlock event items. Whatever the case may be, you’ll have two weeks to celebrate the best time of the year in-game.
This is a lot happening in a very short period of time. My reviews of the new patch, chapter, and event will go up next week.