The new killer “Mastermind” from Resident Evil is so strong in Dead by Daylight that he gets the largest terror radius in the entire game as compensation.
The patch 6.2.0 is now live on the Dead by Daylight test server, bringing the new chapter “Resident Evil: Project W”. The chapter consists of a total of three new characters – two survivors and a new killer. The two survivors, Ada Wong and Rebecca Chambers, are some of the most popular characters from the Resident Evil universe, and the antagonist Albert Wesker is also a recurring villain.
Wesker, known as “Mastermind” in Dead by Daylight, is particularly special – as he has the largest terror radius of all killers.
What the new killer “Mastermind” can do
The Mastermind initially seems to resemble Nemesis with his abilities but has clear unique features. With his tentacle attacks, he can infect survivors with the Uroboros virus. The infection increases over time, and when fully infected, survivors are afflicted with the “Hindered” status – thus, they move 5% slower.
His tentacle attack is not a simple strike but a chargeable attack that lets him lunge forward – up to 2 times in quick succession. If he touches a survivor during this, they are grabbed by the tentacles and thrown forward. If the survivor collides with an object, they are injured and infected. If the survivor collides with another survivor, both are injured, but only the thrown one is infected.
If the Mastermind hits a survivor with his tentacle attack who is already fully infected, that survivor is immediately grabbed and can then be carried to a hook.
Survivors have a number of healing sprays scattered across the map to remove the virus infection – however, the sprays have charges and will eventually run out.
A major feature is that the Mastermind has a terror radius of 40 meters, which warns survivors well in advance. You have more time to escape as a survivor when he approaches you. While there are other killers, such as the Huntress, who have a unique sound over this distance (like the “Lullaby”), such a large terror radius is unique.
You can see some gameplay regarding the mechanics of the new killer in the video from “not Otzdarva”:
The perks of the Mastermind
Like all killers, the Mastermind comes with three unique perks. First, only he can use them, but they can also be unlocked for all other killers through the Prestige system. His perks are:
- Superior Anatomy: If a survivor quickly climbs over an obstacle within 8 meters, this perk activates. The next time you vault through a window, it is done 30% / 35% / 40% faster. The perk has a cooldown of 30 seconds.
- Awakened Awareness: While carrying a survivor, you see the auras of other survivors within 16 / 18 / 20 meters. The auras remain visible for 2 seconds after you stop carrying a survivor.
- Terminus: When the exit gates are powered (i.e., the last generator is activated, or the hatch is closed), this perk activates. Injured, dying, and hooked survivors are afflicted with the Broken status (cannot be healed above “Injured”) until an exit gate is opened. Affected survivors remain “Broken” for 20 / 25 / 30 additional seconds after a gate is opened.
The perks of the survivors
Ada Wong and Rebecca Chambers also get 3 perks that are initially only available to them but can later be unlocked for all other survivors.
Ada Wong’s perks are:
- Reactive Healing: If another survivor takes damage within 32 meters while you are injured, you immediately regenerate 25% / 30% / 35% of the missing healing progress.
- Low Profile: If you are the last survivor, this perk activates. Your scratch marks and blood trails are hidden for 70 / 80 / 90 seconds.
- Wiretap: When you repair a generator for 33% progress, this perk activates:
After repairing a generator for at least 3 seconds, you can press the active ability button to sabotage the generator for 60 / 70 / 80 seconds. Other survivors can see the generator’s aura in yellow. If the killer is within 14 meters of the generator, their aura is shown to all survivors. Damaging the generator destroys the sabotage.
Rebecca Chambers’ perks are:
- Reassurance: If you are within 6 meters of a hooked survivor, press the active ability button to pause their sacrifice process for 20 / 25 / 30 seconds. If they are already in the second sacrifice phase, skill checks are also paused during this time. Reassurance has a cooldown of 40 seconds. This perk is also known as the perfect anti-camper perk.
- Hyperfocus: If you succeed in a great skill check while repairing or healing, you gain a token, up to a maximum of 6 tokens. Each token increases the chances of skill checks by 2%, speeds up the skill check by 4%, and the bonus progress on great skill checks by 10% / 20% / 30% of the base value. This perk loses all tokens if you have a normal success or failure on your skill check or the action is canceled in any way.
- Better Than New: After healing another survivor, they receive a speed boost of 6% for repairing, healing, opening chests, or cleansing totems for 25 / 30 / 35 seconds.
What else is in the patch? In addition to the three new characters, the patch also brings the division of the “Raccoon City Police Department” map. This map turned out to be too large and will be split into two smaller areas. Both variants are significantly smaller but also have some new corridors to provide more opportunities. In the future, both maps should be significantly more enjoyable to play – for both killers and survivors.
There is still no exact release date for the patch. However, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks after the start of the PTB, so the patch should be on the live servers by the end of August.
How do you like the new killer? What do you think of all the new perks?
