Windows are a type of obstacle in Dead by Daylight.
Overview
They are the standard hole-in-a-wall which Players can quickly climb (vault) through to try and lose the Killer. They are common features in every trial, and can appear in the derelict walls that surround the Map or in and around landmarks.
Vaulting
In order to vault over a Window, both Killers and Survivors must walk up to it and press SPACE (PC), R1 (PS4), RB (Xbox), or R (Switch).
All Killers have a default Vaulting time of 1.7 seconds, but Survivors have three different types of Window vaults:
Fast Vault
If a Survivor runs straight towards a Window for at least 2.5 metres and initiates a vault, they will swiftly, but noisily vault over the Window.
- Vault duration 0.5 seconds
- Allows Survivors to keep their momentum.
- Considered a rushed action:
- Alerts the Killer with a Loud Noise Notifications.
Medium Vault
If a Survivor attempts to quickly climb through a Window, but they do not have enough momentum or do it at an angle, and initiates a vault, they will quickly, but noisily climb over the Window but with more of their body exposed, making it easier for the Killer to hit them from a distance.
- Vault duration: 0.9 seconds
- Resets a Survivor's momentum after vaulting.
- Considered a rushed action:
- Alerts the Killer with a Loud Noise Notification.
Slow Vault
If a Survivor walks up to a Window and initiates a vault, they slowly, but quietly climb through it.
- Vault duration: 1.5 seconds
- Resets a Survivor's momentum after vaulting.
Window Grab
Any injured Survivor can be grabbed mid-vault by the Killer and hoisted directly onto their shoulder by tapping the attack button (default: M1, R2, or RT), putting them instantly into the Dying State upon a drop. Survivors cannot be grabbed when performing a Fast Vault.
Window Blocker
If a Survivor vaults the same Window multiple times in the same Chase sequence, The Entity will block it after the third vault and leave it blocked to that particular Survivor for the next 30 seconds.
Other Survivors, as well as the Killer, can still vault that Window, the block does not extend to them.
If a Survivor vaults a blocked Window just as it becomes unblocked near the Killer, it will immediately become re-blocked on the first vault.
The vault counter for this Window will only reset back to three vaults if the offending Survivor refrains from re-vaulting that Window for an additional 30 seconds after it first became unblocked.
There is a Window of 5 seconds after escaping a Chase in which a vault will still trigger the Window Blocker.
Twisted Skill
Survivors can block the Window for the Killer by using the Twisted Skill special ability on their next vault location, which spawn a special Window-Blocker just for the Killer right after the Survivor vaults.
This blocker lasts for 4 seconds and is only available during the Twisted Masquerade 2023 Event.
History
This mechanic was originally introduced to counter so-called "Infinites", which were vault locations that would allow Survivors to evade the Killer for an indefinite amount of time, as due to their location, the Killer's slower vaulting speed at the time, and the lack of catch-up mechanics such as Bloodlust, it was impossible for the Killer to catch a Survivor there.
Unlockables
Add-ons
"Shadow Dance" - Soot | THIS ADD-ON IS UNUSED (This Unlockable is not used in the Game, but exists in code.)
The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is finger-drawn out of soot on the body of the Bell.
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Doll Eyes | One of the advantages of possessing a mass-produced doll is easy access to replacement parts.
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"Shadow Dance" - White | The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is stamped in white ink on the body of the Bell.
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Wooden Oni Mask | A mask that a young Kazan bought to celebrate Setsubun, its repulsively fanged mouth began haunting his nightmares.
"It is no coincidence that man is so familiar with demons." — Renjiro's Doctrine 3:8 | |
"Shadow Dance" - Blood | The Yiwarick symbol, representing dark synergy, is stamped in blood on the body of the Bell.
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Geographical Readout | The Drones generate and communicate a detailed three-dimensional map of the terrain, making traversal easier.
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Self-Destruct Bolt | They needed to be removed to start, and replaced to end, the self-destruct sequence. Just seeing them evokes a sense of urgency.
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Splintered Hull | Fragments of a ship that carried Renjiro Yamaoka. Against all odds, the legendary samurai seemed to survive.
"To plan subterfuge, begin with a counsel of none." — Renjiro's Doctrine 7:9 | |
Sacrificial Knife | When a journalist attempted to warn the Ottomarians of Stamper's true task, he slit her throat as a warning to any dissenters.
"There are imposters amongst you! They intend to destroy our perfect home with dark thoughts. Find them and bring them to me!" — Otto Stamper |
Perks
Bamboozle | After vaulting a Window, Bamboozle calls upon The Entity to block that Window for the next 8/12/16 seconds.
Bamboozle only blocks one Window at a time and does not apply either of its effects to vaulting Pallets. | |
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Cruel Limits | Your ties to the otherworldly manifest when your prey attempts to get away.
Whenever a Generator is completed, Cruel Limits activates:
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Cut Loose | You get in enough trouble, you know how to get out of it.
After performing a Rush Vault action in a Chase, Cut Loose activates for the next 4/5/6 seconds:
Cut Loose has a cool-down of 45 seconds. "I know how we can get out of here! Quick, this way!" — Thalita Lyra | |
Dance With Me | When performing a Rush Vault action or when rushing out of a Locker, you will not leave any Scratch Marks for the next 3 seconds.
Dance With Me has a cool-down of 60/50/40 seconds. "Another show's off and runnin', | |
Dissolution | Everything turns to dust. It is as inescapable as the coming of the night. 3 seconds after injuring a Survivor by any means, Dissolution activates for 12/16/20 seconds:
"The Garden shall be a place of perfect Joy; through Joy, nothing shall stand in our way." — Otto Stamper | |
Fire Up | The increased pressure of losing your preys fills you with anger and gives you unsuspected motivation.
Each time a Generator is completed, Fire Up grows in power and gains 1 Token, up to a maximum of 5 Tokens.
"Now why don't you just fucking die?" — Freddy Krueger | |
Hex: Crowd Control | A Hex that ensures those lesser than you are properly herded.
Whenever a Survivor performs a Rush Vault action, Hex: Crowd Control triggers its effect:
"You have no control. People like you never did." — Ji-Woon Hak | |
I'm All Ears | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability, sharpening your keen senses in the dark Realm of The Entity. Any Survivor performing a Rush Vault action within 48 metres of your location has their Aura revealed to you for 6 seconds. I'm All Ears can only be triggered once every 60/50/40 seconds. | |
Lithe | After performing a Rush Vault action, break into a sprint of 150 % of your normal Running Movement speed for a maximum of 3 seconds. Lithe causes the Exhausted Status Effect for 60/50/40 seconds. | |
Quick & Quiet | You do not make as much noise as others when quickly vaulting over obstacles or hiding in Lockers.
Quick & Quiet has a cool-down of 30/25/20 seconds. | |
Resilience | You are motivated in dire situations.
"Focus, even in these desperate times." | |
Superior Anatomy | Decades of research have culminated in you: something faster, stronger, and more dangerous than any human.
When a Survivor performs a Rush Vault action within 8 metres of you, Superior Anatomy activates:
Superior Anatomy has a cool-down of 30 seconds. | |
Unbound | Pain lingers in the air, an alluring aroma that excites the impulses.
When a Survivor becomes injured by any means, Unbound activates for 24/27/30 seconds:
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Windows of Opportunity | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability.
The Auras of Breakable Walls, Pallets, and Windows are revealed to you within 24/28/32 metres. "Rise and shine, work hard, carve out your name, | |
Zanshin Tactics | Unlocks potential in your Aura-reading ability. You are mentally alert and aware of key points on the battlefield. |
Change Log
Patch 1.1.2
- Survivor Nerf: added the Entity-Blocker mechanic, which blocks Survivors from vaulting the same Window mid-chase more than 3 times.
Patch 1.7.0
- Killer Buff: reduced the Vaulting duration from 2.666 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
- Survivor Nerf: increased the Vaulting duration of Medium Vaults from 0.8 seconds to 1 second.
Patch 2.0.0
- Killer Nerf: increased the Vaulting duration from 1.5 seconds to 1.7 seconds.
Patch 2.3.0
- Survivor Nerf: Survivors must now run straight at a Window with at least 2.5 metres of clearance in order to fast-vault.
Patch 2.5.0
- Survivor Buff: reduced the Vaulting duration of Medium Vaults from 1 second to 0.9 seconds.
- Survivor Quality of Life: Survivors now retain their momentum after Vaulting, instead of it being reset to 0 as previously.
- Change: Medium Vaults now feature a unique animation to distinguish them better from Fast Vaults.
Trivia
- Killers generally vault Windows at a comparatively slow pace, with only a handful of Killers having the ability to vault them faster using their Powers or special Add-ons, to the point that some of them are about as fast as medium-vaulting Survivors.
- There are 3 Perks that can increase the Vault speed of Killers: Fire Up, Bamboozle, and Superior Anatomy.
- There is just 1 Perk that can increase the Vault speed of Survivors: Resilience.
Gallery