Dead by Daylight status effects are pretty hard to understand, even for players who have played since the game’s first release. Even worse, the tutorial doesn’t explain these effects – nor the fact that they mostly affect survivors, not killers – at all, and so you’re left figuring things out as you play. But it doesn’t have to be like that, because our Dead by Daylight status effect guide will explain all of the 16 status effects that are currently in the game.
Dead by Daylight Status Effect List & Explinations
Blindness
When a survivor is affected by the Blindness status effect, they’ll be unable to see any auras of both other survivors, as well as the killer. This means that the red/pink outline that can show survivors or the killer when using certain perks – such as Alert or Kindred – do not trigger for the player.
Bloodlust
Bloodlust is one of the only status effects that can affect the killer. When in a chase with a survivor for 15 seconds, killers get Bloodlust, increasing their movement speed. This usually ends a chase, as it allows the killer to catch up to the survivor and down them.
Broken
When being affected by the Broken status effect, survivors are wounded to the point that they are unable to heal, regardless if they have the perk Self-Care, a medkit, or another survivor nearby to help. The Broken status effects duration depends on the add-on, perk, or killer that is being used.
Cursed
When survivors see the Cursed status effect, that means there is a Hex Totem present on the map. Hex Totems are glowing skulls on sticks that are tucked in hard to find places, and as there are many perks, there are many different Hex Totems around that have different effects. To negate these effects, you have to get rid of the glowing totems.
Deep Wound
When a survivor is affected by the Deep Wound Status Effect, they will get a small, orange bar underneath their username. When out of the killer’s Terror Radius, that bar will trickle down and, when it hits the bottom, the survivor will automatically be downed, aka go into the Dying State, and be unable to do anything but crawl and recover.
Endurance
The Endurance status effect allows survivors to become resistant to a single hit, meaning that if the killer were to down you, you would instead be highlighted in a white aura and be able to resist the killer’s attack. This can be particularly effective when you are being camped on hook, or if someone else is trying to protect you.
Exhausted
Survivors have perks that, once used, will exhaust them – making it impossible for a survivor to abuse those perks and give them an advantage against the killer. Alternatively, killers also have add-ons and perks that can affect a survivor with the Exhausted status effect, making it easier for them to catch and down them.
Exposed
When survivors are Exposed, only one hit, not the regular two, of the killer’s basic attack will put them in the Dying State. Exposed is one of the most powerful status effects that killers have in their arsenal, and can be activated through perks, add-ons, and certain killer powers.
Haste
Survivors and killers who have the Haste status effect have their movement speed increased for a short time.
Hemorrhage
The Hemorrhage status effect makes injured survivors bleed more. This creates blood splatters appear more often, making it easier for the killer to track the survivor and down them.
Hindered
When survivors have the Hindered status effect, survivors movement speed is temporarily slowed down. This status effect can be used with certain add-ons for killers, as well as some killer’s powers, like the Clown’s gas bottles.
Madness
The Madness status effect can currently only be afflicted on survivors when going against the killer, The Doctor. There are different tiers of Madness, which changes the afflictions survivors get depending on the add-ons that The Doctor uses. One thing that doesn’t change is that when afflicted with tier three of Madness, survivors will have to ‘snap out of it’ or be unable to do certain things such as healing. They will also scream, revealing their location to The Doctor and will continue to do so if you don’t snap out of it.
Mangled
When survivors are afflicted with the Mangled status effect, healing is 20% slower, even if you are being healed by two other survivors.
Oblivious
Survivors who are affected by the Oblivious status effect are unable to detect the killer, as their Terror Radius is cloaked. This means that they do not hear the heartbeat, which usually signals that the killer is close – so watch out if you see this status effect pop up!
Torment
Like Madness, the Torment status effect can only be afflicted on survivors by a killer. This time it is Pyramid Head, whose trenches will afflict the Torment status effect if survivors walk or run over them. When tormented, your screen will have a razor blade to the side, and there will be dark, inky tendrils covering the corners. Survivors will leave barbed wire behind them, making it easier for Pyramid Head to track them. The only way to get rid of the Torment status effect is being rescued from a Cage of Atonement, or rescuing someone from a cage while being tormented.
Undetectable
This status effect only applies to killers. When you have the Undetectable status effect, survivors are unable to hear your Terror Radius, and you no longer have a red stain. This makes you completely silent and there are no visual cues from you that survivors can use to know that you are near. Only certain killers, perks, and add-ons can make use of this status effect.
And that’s it! This Dead by Daylight status effect guide will let you know exactly what to look out for when playing the game.
