For many years, fans of Dead by Daylight have been waiting. Now, the long-awaited 2vs8 mode is finally here. We will reveal how it works.
The Dead by Daylight community is quite generously described as “quirky.” Time and again, they have strange requests that the developers are more than happy to take up. For example, there was a request for “Sex in Dead by Daylight,” and it turned into its own dating game with the killers.
Another request was the plea for a “2vs8” game mode, where two killers face off against eight survivors. That is now being put into practice. In just a few days, you can join matches with ten players and show just how chaotic Dead by Daylight can really be.
How does the mode work? Essentially, the gameplay principle of Dead by Daylight is retained. Survivors must repair generators and escape, while the killers attempt to prevent exactly that.
Games are played on familiar maps, although they have been slightly adjusted in size for this mode to allow for more space. After all, two killers cause significantly more problems, and the additional generators need space as well.
What can the killers do? Only five of the original killers are available. Each one comes with a passive ability that helps the killers work better together.
- Trapper grants the other killer a short speed boost when he sets a trap.
- Wraith grants the other killer brief stealth.
- Hillbilly makes survivors vulnerable for a few seconds when he runs past them with his chainsaw.
- The Nurse has more teleportations while she is near the other killer.
- The Huntress reveals the aura of survivors she has hit with her axe.
Whether the killers are operating alone, covering as much ground as possible, or overwhelming individual survivors together to take them down quickly – both are viable strategies with pros and cons.
New abilities, different mechanics
The only catch: there are no hooks. Killers do not have to carry survivors to a hook; instead, they can teleport them (similar to Pyramidhead) directly to a random point on the map, where they hang trapped until another survivor rescues them.
However, as a killer, you won’t be informed by a sound when a captured survivor is rescued. But since you are essentially chasing and downing survivors continuously, that’s not really a problem.
In contrast to the usual “5 out of 7,” survivors in this mode have to put in a bit more effort. A total of eight out of 13 generators must be repaired before the exit gates can be opened.
Neither killers nor survivors can bring perks into the match. Instead, survivors may choose classes to support certain play styles. For example, you can make better progress on generators or escape from killers for longer. Whether the killers will fall for that remains to be seen.
How long can you play 2vs8? That is probably the biggest downside to the game mode so far. Because it can only be played from July 25, 2024, to August 8, 2024 – just for two weeks.
The developers have already announced that they will further develop the mode and bring it back multiple times, so it will get better each time. Whether it will eventually become a permanent game mode remains to be seen, as it mainly depends on the mode’s success.
Who is the mode suitable for? In short: for everyone. Whether you want a bit more chaos as a survivor or if you want to distribute the sometimes burdensome pressure onto multiple shoulders as a killer – 2vs8 looks like a perfect change to lighten the stress of the game.
If you’ve rarely dared to take on the killer role: grab a friend and go hunting for survivors together. Because when you fail, you fail together, and it’s only half as bad – but if you succeed, there’s a lot to laugh about. Because amusing situations in the new 2vs8 mode happen almost continuously.
Will you take a closer look at the new game mode? Or can 2vs8 not convince you? In that case, you should check out all the killers in the game and find the one that suits you best.
