Details of the Skull Merchant Rework Revealed for Dead by Daylight

Dead by Daylight is gearing up for yet another exciting update, this time focused on revamping The Skull Merchant. This Killer, introduced in Chapter 27 back in March 2023, will receive a set of changes designed to enhance her active gameplay capabilities. Fans of the game can expect a new, more vibrant playstyle, although the exact date for these updates to roll out is still under wraps.

Previously, The Skull Merchant has been one of Dead by Daylight’s more challenging Killers. Her mechanics, initially reliant on strategic deployment and sharp tactical moves, make her stand out among her peers. Utilizing drones for reconnaissance and ranged attacks, she excels at keeping multiple Survivors on edge. However, despite these abilities, she has struggled to gain popularity due to the intricate nature of her playstyle. Many players found mastering her too complex, despite various tweaks over the past year.

Now, Behaviour Interactive has previewed a promising redesign that aims to make The Skull Merchant more approachable and enjoyable for both new and experienced players. Her new abilities will shift her from relying on passive tactics to actively hunting Survivors, making her gameplay more dynamic.

The core of her rework lies in her use of drones. While they will still gather crucial intel, changes will make them less predictable for Survivors. Now, the scans won’t reveal the complete range, adding an element of surprise. Furthermore, The Skull Merchant can take over drones directly, using them to target Survivors. This incurs the risk of damaging a drone but rewards her by knocking Survivors down a health state. Additionally, this action makes her temporarily undetectable, urging Survivors to focus on drones that will be running on limited power. Another new ability, yet to be named, will unveil the location of any running Survivor—but they’ll be alerted when it’s active.

Survivors aren’t left defenseless, though. They can still hack drones, but at a higher risk. Successful hacks will reward them with the ability to see The Skull Merchant’s aura, offering a tactical advantage. However, failing a hack will temporarily bar further attempts and also alert The Skull Merchant to the failing Survivor’s location via a mechanic known as Killer Instinct.

These adjustments look to create a more engaging experience for everyone involved. While we wait for the official release date, this rework promises to breathe fresh life into The Skull Merchant, making her a formidable, yet approachable foe in Dead by Daylight’s intense world of cat-and-mouse gameplay.